Quantum of Solace was a major hit in 2008- but it may be quite some time before audiences see Daniel Craig's third appearance as 007.
In a in-depth report, ABC News indicates that the James Bond producers feel the pain of fans who are geared up for Daniel Craig's third outing as 007 - but who are frustrated by indefinite delays caused by the financial problems at MGM. (The studio and Eon Productions co-own the franchise and neither company can proceed without the other). Producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli are understandably upset: the two Craig films to date have resonated with audiences internationally and have scored over a billion dollars at the box-office. However, as the article points out, the franchise has withstood long delays between films before. Click here to read
For a guy who says he's thrilled to be free of the shackles of playing 007, Pierce Brosnan sure seems to have the shadow of the famous spy hovering over his life. Brosnan will team with his son to play cops in the action flick Bonded. As if that isn't reminiscent enough of Brosnan's era playing the suave secret agent, his son's name is Sean, as in Connery. For more click here
If you think your love life is a mess consider this: Oksana Grigorieva is the woman embroiled in the high-profile Mel Gibson scandal. She's the former girlfriend who bore Gibson's child and audio taped his expletive-filled tirades. Turns out she's also the ex-g.f of another heartthrob, former James Bond Timothy Dalton - and she's had an out-of-wedlock child with him as well. Unlike her relationship with Gibson, however, Oksana says she's on great terms with Dalton, who is active in raising their child together. Dalton has been supportive of her during the Gibson scandal. Just call it James Bond vs. Mad Max. Click here for more
There have been a rash of recent news reports indicating that the next James Bond film has been officially canceled due to the uncertain future of MGM studios. The Bond franchise is the only cash cow that the financially-strapped MGM has to bank on. However, unless a new buyer emerges, the studio can't launch any film productions. Eon Productions, which co-owns the franchise, recently stated that preparations for the next Bond film had been indefinitely suspended until the MGM problem is resolved. Suddenly news reports began appearing, stating that the film had been officially canceled, making the fate of the next film seem even more ominous. Exactly what the difference is between "suspended indefinitely" and "canceled" is open to debate but it certainly seems to indicate that star Daniel Craig and director Sam Mendes are now free to accept other projects and won't be waiting for word on the start of the next Bond film. We asked Eon Productions for a comment, and they simply said they are not deviating from their previous statement which read :
"Due to the continuing
uncertainty surrounding the future of MGM and the failure
to close a sale of the studio, we have suspended development on BOND 23
indefinitely. We do not know when development will resume and do not
have
a
date for the release of BOND 23," stated Michael G Wilson and Barbara
Broccoli
jointly.
Cinema Retro publisher Dave Worrall (L) with Ajay Chowdhury, publisher of Kiss Kiss Bang Bang magazine.(Photo copyright Dave Worrall. All rights reserved.)
Cinema
Retro’s Dave Worrall was reunited with James Bond’s fabled Aston Martin last
weekend, some eighteen years since first seeing it in the home of its owner
Jerry Lee, on the outskirts of Philadelphia, USA. Dave
wrote and published the highly successful book ‘The Most Famous Car in the
World’ back in 1991, which tells the definitive history of Bond’s Aston Martin
DB5 as seen in the films Goldfinger
and Thunderball. In total, there were
four cars used back in the mid to late 60s: two for filming, and two for
promotional purposes. At the time, Dave tracked them all down, and one of the
cars driven by Sean Connery in both films is coming up for auction in October.
To
kick-start the promotion, R.M. Auctions, who are responsible for the sale, brought
the car over to the UK last week where it was previewed to both media and
public at the Midsummer Classic Concourse event at the highly prestigious Stoke
Park Country Club. Bond fans will remember this was the setting for the famous
golf game between OO7 and Auric Goldfinger in the 1964 film of the same name.
It was also the first time the car has been in England since being purchased by
Jerry in 1969.
"Oddjob" returns to the scene of the crime! (Photo copyright Dave Worrall. All rights reserved.)
Dave,
who has assisted R.M. Auctions in the past with Bond-related
information, was
invited to attend the preview and the ‘Thunderball black-tie Dinner’ on
the
evening, which was a fundraiser for the ‘Help the Heroes’ charity.
Daniel Craig as 007 in the 2006 blockbuster Casino Royale.
By Lee Pfeiffer
If you're getting your tuxedo laundered in hopes of attending the next James Bond premiere in London, you might want to spare yourself a trip to the cleaners. The London tabloid The Mirror has a report indicating that the next James Bond film may not make the anticipated release date of 2012. It's old news that the film has been delayed due to MGM's cash crisis, but the Mirror provides a more downbeat assessment, saying that the next Bond could be years away. It would certainly be a major disappointment to fans and Eon Productions if there is not a new film to coincide with the series' 50th anniversary in 2012. As per their custom, Eon has not commented extensively on such reports, saying only “We do not know when development will resume and
cannot comment further at this stage.†London tabloids have been notorious in spreading doom-and-gloom rumors about the franchise- many of them demonstrably false. If another studio buys MGM, which could happen at any time, it is certain the new Bond would be fast-tracked, as the series remains the primary asset of the once-great studio. Nevertheless, until that happens, 007 fans will have to cool their heels, as Eon is not likely to launch another entry until the situation at MGM is stabilized. One thing everyone agrees on is that James Bond Will Return, as it says at the end of every film. The series had previously thrived despite the absence of a new film between the years 1989-1994. For more click here