Ever since MGM filed for bankruptcy at the beginning of November the talk has been that the studio wanted James Bond 23 to hit theaters in November 2012. So much of what’s been bandied about lately is hardly news, but there’s talk and Bond talk is interesting so let’s dig in…
On December 2, MGM received court approval for its pre-packaged bankruptcy plan. Belief is this will allow the company to “once again access the capital it needs to produce films based on treasured properties such as James Bond.”
Quoted by The Wrap, MGM Co-Chief Executive Officer Stephen Cooper said, “Today’s ruling is an important milestone for MGM… By dramatically reducing MGM’s debt load and providing MGM with access to new capital, the reorganization plan the Court confirmed today will enable MGM to emerge from this process with a solid financial foundation and will position MGM to be a successful studio going forward.”
While all of this was happening sources from all over started saying James Bond 23 was looking at an imminent green light.
The first report came from Film Music Magazine in which Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace composer David Arnold offered up the following quote when asked about the next film:
We only just got the news that we’re back on. But ‘there’s many a slip twixt cup and lip‘ So I will keep quiet until I get a script and then start writing ideas. I just hope the next one is as good as my favorites, as I think everyone does. And I’m always interested in what Daniel Craig brings to the part. But like most things with movies, if it ain’t on the page etc… All I can say is that I’m looking forward to a great script for it, alongside every other Bond fan in the world!
That was looked at as the first confirmation things were set to go as well as confirmation Daniel Craig would be returning as 007.
One day later, UK gossip rag The Daily Mail reportedly spoke with Kate Winslet and she confirmed her estranged husband, Sam Mendes, would indeed be directing the next film as was first reported in January of this year.
Winslet told the Daily Mail, “Sam is doing the next Bond film, all being well, and we’ll all be in England if that happens. It’s such a massive commitment for him and it’s not fair for him to commute backwards and Âforwards to New York from ÂLondon. It would be impossible. The children will be there with me.”
The Mail is hardly a reputable source, but that’s what people are working with as of right now.
The final chapter in the current story comes from Deadline‘s Tim Adler citing “007 insiders” saying “production should start on the next James Bond movie towards the end of [2011] for release November 2012.” Adler also cites the same Daily Mail story in which it Bond producer Barbara Broccoli is said to have already had many meetings over casting including a visit to the play “Deathtrap” twice to see Simon Russell Beale, apparently an old friend of Mendes’s, perform.
So, as it stands, it sounds like some big Bond news may be waiting in the wings, but for now all we have is a bunch of second hand news and anonymous sources. The reason most are talking about it, I have to assume, is because like me they’re big James Bond fans and can’t wait for another one to hit theaters… How about you?
