Next James Bond Movie Put on Hold Due to MGM Financial Woes
Bad news for Bond fans… it looks like the next 007 flick won’t be happening anytime soon. EON Productions announced today that development on the 23rd installment in the James Bond series has been suspended indefinitely, due to the uncertain future of the franchise’s owner, MGM. Since late last year, they have been trying to sell off the studio and all of its assets in order to resolve long-standing debts, but they still have not been able to find a buyer despite a number of interested parties. From the press release:
“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.”
Sam Mendes was named as the director of the next film back in January and a script was being written by long-time Bond writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade along with Patrick Marber (Notes on a Scandal, Closer). It seems a bit crazy that no one is interested in picking up the rights to the Bond franchise (not to mention half of The Hobbit), but I guess it’s the whole package that seems to be an issue. At this point it sounds like we probably won’t get another Bond movie until at least 2013, if not later. Will the same cast and creative team still be involved at that point? Only time will tell. In the meantime, there seem to be plenty of other spy movies to pick up the slack. After the lukewarm reception of Quantum of Solace, maybe it’s better that they give it a rest for a while anyway.
Comments (5)
I wonder how a certain money maker can go on hold. It seems like the company would want to just push forward with the sure hits and stay away from the gamble. I know all movies are gambles but some are hard to lose.
Posted by Big Hungry on April 19th, 2010this pisses me off, i really enjoyed this new james bond and where they were going with it. stupid studios…
Posted by Chris on April 20th, 2010With the last two Bond movies bringing in almost $1.2 Billion in ticket sales, yes that’s “B”, what is the problem.
Posted by SVEN on April 20th, 2010On the same day that MGM announced the postponement of the next Bond film and STV also announced the proposed sale of Pearl and Dean, happy memories are evoked of when cinema going was the ultimate experience. For more cinematic nostalgia, please read my blog article….. As the next Bond movie is postponed, it’s not “Goodbye Mr Bond, it’s been nice knowing you”, merely “Au Revoir” ……. http://bit.ly/bGv2FM
Posted by Simon Sterland on April 21st, 2010How about a new James Bond actor?
Posted by cecilia meliton on October 27th, 2010Alex O’ Loughlin, this guy is sooo hot
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