Sam Mendes still comitted to do "Bond 23"

[JacksonArcher]

In the wake of director Guillermo del Toro abandoning The Hobbit as a consequence of the delays attributed to MGM's seemingly never-ending legal and financial woes, Sam Mendes has said that he will stick with the James Bond franchise despite the film being put on indefinite hold.

Back in April, Mendes (known for his character dramas such as American Beauty and Revolutionary Road exploring suburban life) was attached to direct James Bond 23, which will (hopefully) be Daniel Craig's third outing as 007. Peter Morgan (The Queen) had been tapped to write the screenplay with Bond regulars Robert Wade and Neal Purvis (the last few Bond flicks, including Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace).

Despite rumors that Mendes had jumped ship, according to Cinema Blend, Mendes is still comitted to directing the next Bond film, and in fact is shuffling around his schedule to accomodate the potential long delay that has and might furthermore incur based on MGM's uncertain future.

This is very reassuring, in my opinion. I was very worried that with the delay of Bond 23 (and then del Toro's sudden departure from The Hobbit) that Mendes would also abandon that franchise as well. It shows that Mendes is dedicated to doing a James Bond film and that just makes me further excited and hopeful that MGM can get their shit together (and soon) so work on Bond 23 can get underway with the current creative team & cast set in place.

 

[Admiral_Young]

That is good to hear I also read that Daniel Craig as well as being contracted for Bond 23 is also contracted for one more Bond afterwards.

 

[Captaindemotion]

Why don't MGM just approach another more solvent studio and make this and The Hobbit as co-productions? Okay, they'd have to split the profits but surely that would be more profitable than no movie? It would also provide them with some cashflow in the medium term.

 

[Turd Ferguson]

Why don't MGM just approach another more solvent studio and make this and The Hobbit as co-productions? Okay, they'd have to split the profits but surely that would be more profitable than no movie? It would also provide them with some cashflow in the medium term.

Didn't they do that with the last two? I'm not sure about Quantum of Solace, but I know Casino Royale was coproduced with Columbia.

 

[Captaindemotion]

^While New Line were instrumental in the LOTR trilogy. I can't for the life of me understand how or why MGM can't raise the money to make either of these movies, which must be as sure a thing or things as there can be in Hollywood.

 

[Mooch]

Why don't MGM just approach another more solvent studio and make this and The Hobbit as co-productions? Okay, they'd have to split the profits but surely that would be more profitable than no movie? It would also provide them with some cashflow in the medium term.

It's all ready a co-production with Warner Brothers. I'm sure Warner/New Line would be happy to pay for the whole thing, if they could have all the profits as well. As long as MGM won't give up the rights, production can't move forward until someone buys the company or puts forward enough cash to keep it going (which would be less likely to happen if they gave up the Hobbit/Bond rights).

 

[Admiral_Young]

Also doesn't the film production or whatever that is connected with Bond (Eon or whatever it's called) has final say where the franchises goes? I've never really understood their part.