402 replies to this topic

[Dustin]

So another MGM report failed to mention BOND 25...

[Tiin007]

I've really been hoping that things were moving along behind the scenes, and we'd soon find out about filming beginning in the fall for a late 2018 release. But with zero mention of progress on Bond 25 this late in the game, my optimism is waning. if we don't hear anything by July (arbitrary deadline I've come up with), I think it's safe to assume Bond 25 will not be before 2019. 

[SecretAgentFan]

So another MGM report failed to mention BOND 25...

 

Yeah, that is not a good sign.

 

I wonder - why holding those "courting sessions" with potential distributors for one film (BOND 25) and then taking so long to decide when MGM definitely needs good news for their shareholders.

 

Looking into my crystal ball I see...

 

... problems with DC again?  Not liking the script?  Or did MGM put their foot down and say: forget these one more DC film negotiations, we need a steady influx of cash - so get the pipeline ready for at least three or four films and recast now!

 

 

 

Of course, the lawyers might be working on the complex dealings for one last DC film and its distribution deal right now, and these things can take time and time and time...

[Dustin]

It may well be that it's already getting tight right now. But then it just as well might be that things on this supposed one-time deal could move quicker. A studio that has its sights exclusively on BOND 25 and nothing else need not concern itself with any other output of MGM. It's possible this actually helps the deal over some hurdles.

However, since nothing is confirmed and only the hiring of P&W has been reported with any degree of credibility...scripts are written every day, easily a dozen times more than films get released. The Bond series too has seen multiple times when scripts were commissioned without a production picking them up. The mere fact Purvis and Wade are - supposedly - again working on a Bond script need not indicate that BOND 25 is taking off soon. It would be a lot different if casting news emerged soonish...

[Dustin]

So another MGM report failed to mention BOND 25...

Yeah, that is not a good sign.

I wonder - why holding those "courting sessions" with potential distributors for one film (BOND 25) and then taking so long to decide when MGM definitely needs good news for their shareholders.

Looking into my crystal ball I see...

... problems with DC again? Not liking the script? Or did MGM put their foot down and say: forget these one more DC film negotiations, we need a steady influx of cash - so get the pipeline ready for at least three or four films and recast now!



Of course, the lawyers might be working on the complex dealings for one last DC film and its distribution deal right now, and these things can take time and time and time...

From what we've heard studios did make proposals. From what we've also heard MGM had its ear on the ground for a sell-out. That would in effect have meant cashing in on the remaining net worth of the studio without risking a production. Maybe that would have been the preferred option for MGM?

[Orion]

I'd imagine coming to a deal that both MGM and the new (or old) studio are both happy will take some time. Even once they've chosen which of the pitches they liked best, it wouldn't surprise me if MGM tried to get as good a cut of the profit as they did with Sony before - regardless of whether or not they have a bargaining chip to make such a demand.

[Dustin]

It's legitimate they try to get the best deal they can; strikes me as a familiar phrase actually. But in this case it's easy to misjudge the market and one's own hand. While I can see a few reasons why one would rather wait and see the stakes rise, I think overall the best manoeuvre would be a fast deal and then a swift and steady production of BOND 25. This way they could - maybe, hopefully - profit from Craig's performance and confirm the value of the brand for future productions.

[SecretAgentFan]

Since Bond is a British film production (and therefore used to be a European one), here is one look at how British films are affected by the political changes:

 

http://www.independe...campaign=buffer

[Dustin]

Some sobering thoughts there. Various different subsidies and privileged marketing access hinge on productions being 'European'. This will not affect the big productions so much as the countless smaller ones that really need every single Euro. In the Billion-Dollar-Bond world we tend to forget this industry is in various ways depending on small ventures: producers, directors, actors and crew who hardly ever make millions, small theatres showing the little productions really taking risks with their stories, aficionados watching this culture that more and more gets swept into its own niche.

[SecretAgentFan]

And just in case anybody is still hoping for/fearing a return of Sam Mendes - he seems to be absolutely preoccupied for the foreseeable future:

 

http://www.denofgeek...-action-version

[Dustin]

For the better overall. I really don't think he's got anything left to add to the Bond story. Pinocchio may inspire him more. The next director should really want to do a Bond film. They should not throw themselves into the dust with awe, no. But a healthy hunger to immerse themselves into the world of 007 should ideally be the main drive behind taking over from Mendes.

[SecretAgentFan]

Yes.  Yes.  Yes.  

[MISALA1994]

For the better overall. I really don't think he's got anything left to add to the Bond story. Pinocchio may inspire him more. The next director should really want to do a Bond film. They should not throw themselves into the dust with awe, no. But a healthy hunger to immerse themselves into the world of 007 should ideally be the main drive behind taking over from Mendes.

Agreed.

[Professor Pi]

I want a director that understands action.  Ever since 1999 EON has been obsessed with artistic directors--Apted, Forster, Mendez--and whatever they were thinking when they hired Tamahori.  It's only been a successful combination one time, and even then could not be repeated with the same players.  They need to return to the mold of Martin Campbell, to a film that feels like John McTiernan directed it.  If Marvel can find the Russo brothers and Shane Black, (and rumor has it Ryan Coogler's Black Panther has the feel of a world trotting Bond film,) then EON can certainly do better than it has.  Christopher Nolan seems more enthusiastic than Sam Mendez about Bond.  Matthew Vaughn seems to make Bond films without EON.  James Mangold basically already did the YOLT novel with The Wolverine.  These are all lost opportunities for EON.

[DaveBond21]

I'm thinking that the next Bond movie will be "In memory of Sir Roger Moore".

[Surrie]

And just in case anybody is still hoping for/fearing a return of Sam Mendes - he seems to be absolutely preoccupied for the foreseeable future:

 

http://www.denofgeek...-action-version

 

Good! There is nothing else he can bring to Bond.

[sharpshooter]

Two films is a good run. I think Skyfall is dynamite, but I give the nod to Martin Campbell. Goldeneye and Casino Royale were make or break films, and they delivered big time. 

[Agent 76]

Bring in fresh new blood. Enough of the brooding and bored Bond.

 

Give me a 007 with fun, action, suspense and spectacle again. 

[Surrie]

Two films is a good run. I think Skyfall is dynamite, but I give the nod to Martin Campbell. Goldeneye and Casino Royale were make or break films, and they delivered big time. 

 

Couldn't agree with you more!

 

Bring in fresh new blood. Enough of the brooding and bored Bond.

 

Give me a 007 with fun, action, suspense and spectacle again. 

 

I think Campbell is the man for that. 

[MISALA1994]

I'm thinking that the next Bond movie will be "In memory of Sir Roger Moore".

+1

[dtuba]

It would be great if they could get Martin Campbell back to do one last one. Coming full circle from CR, the 25th film, Daniel's (presumably) last film - it would be an event that I bet he would be hard pressed to say no to.

[Professor Pi]

It would be great if they could get Martin Campbell back to do one last one. Coming full circle from CR, the 25th film, Daniel's (presumably) last film - it would be an event that I bet he would be hard pressed to say no to.

 

Um, he's 73 now.

[Odd Jobbies]

 

It would be great if they could get Martin Campbell back to do one last one. Coming full circle from CR, the 25th film, Daniel's (presumably) last film - it would be an event that I bet he would be hard pressed to say no to.

 

Um, he's 73 now.

 

Indeed! He's earned the right to lazily recline upon his impressive Bond laurels.

[SecretAgentFan]

Campbell is not exactly high in demand right now - so he could be game to return.

 

Otherwise, there is a certain ageism involved in the business - so even if EON said we want Campbell back, the headlines would focus on an "oldtimer" directing Bond instead of the young, exciting new talent who could give the series the badly needed rejuvenating shot in the arm.

[Dustin]

That is possibly the main drawback of Campbell returning, the media would likely argue we've seen two of his takes on Bond already. Personally I'm sure he knows the drill and the various pitfalls of 007. But I'm not sold he's the guy to go to now.

[Simon]

'In memory of Sir Roger Moore'

 

I sincerely hope so.

[SecretAgentFan]

That is possibly the main drawback of Campbell returning, the media would likely argue we've seen two of his takes on Bond already. Personally I'm sure he knows the drill and the various pitfalls of 007. But I'm not sold he's the guy to go to now.

 

I´m not either.  I would prefer someone new and hungry who is most of all a Bond-afficionado.

 

Also, perhaps Campbell rather wants to be remembered as the guy who successfully introduced two new Bonds as major success stories instead of tarnishing that rep with bringing in Craig´s last film in this very difficult climate.

[Agent 76]

'In memory of Sir Roger Moore'

 

I sincerely hope so.

Amen to that brother.

[Hockey Mask]

It would be great if they could get Martin Campbell back to do one last one. Coming full circle from CR, the 25th film, Daniel's (presumably) last film - it would be an event that I bet he would be hard pressed to say no to.

 
Um, he's 73 now.

David Lynch is 71 and he's been keeping himself busy.

[Odd Jobbies]

David Lynch is 71 and he's been keeping himself busy.

Too right he is - the new Peaks series is phenomenal. Still surpassing expectations at 71... What an absolute hero!