John Barry 1933-2011

Legendary James Bond composer John Barry died today from a heart attack. He was 77. Barry was instrumental in giving James Bond his iconic sound mainly beginning with From Russia with Love in 1963 though Barry also contributed to Dr. No including an unknown amount of work on the “James Bond Theme” which Barry has claimed at least partial ownership of in a number of public interviews (note: Monty Norman received sole credit for the “James Bond Theme”).

Barry worked on 12 James Bond films in all, performing, composing and or writing the main themes:

• Dr. No (1962)
• From Russia with Love (1963)
• Goldfinger (1964)
• Thunderball (1965)
• You Only Live Twice (1967)
• On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969)
• Diamonds Are Forever (1971)
• The Man with the Golden Gun (1974)
• Moonraker (1979)
• Octopussy (1983)
• A View to a Kill (1985)
• The Living Daylights (1987)

Over the years Barry racked up seven Academy Award nominations and won five for his work on the films Dances with Wolves, Out of Africa, and Born Free. Barry also won four Grammy Awards, two BAFTAs, and one Golden Globe in addition to several other nominations.

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Blood Stone's Bizarre recommended for closure

The worst case scenario for UK developer Bizarre Creations is apparently occurring. Parent company Activision has recommended that Bizarre be closed. Previously Bizarre Creations went through a “90-day consultation period, statutory redundancy” which is required by UK law prior to shutting down a business. It was thought that during this time Bizarre would find a buyer. One likely buyer was Microsoft who published Bizarre’s Project Gotham Racing series on their consoles.

Coddy Johnson, Activision Worldwide Studios’ chief operating officer said, “I want to be clear, our first choice was to try and keep this group together and find a buyer for the studio. This decision comes after a few months of exhausted examination of a number of different options across the board.” “But unfortunately, so far we’ve not been able to find any interested parties. So we’ve made as a last resort, a recommendation to the team for closure,” he added.

Bizarre Creation’s last released game was James Bond 007: Blood Stone which got “okay” reviews but was practically DOA for sales. That said, Blur’s failing to find commercial success appears to be the main reason for Bizarre’s closure.

Bizarre Creations has almost 200 staffers.

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Carte Blanche US cover art unveiled

Following the recent announcement of Jeffery Deaver’s upcoming James Bond novel Carte Blanche in Dubai, we now have the US cover art from US publisher Simon & Schuster. Big tip of the hat to The Book Bond for the find.

20th Century Fox makes pitch to MGM for Bond 23

I think it is obvious now that MGM will likely not be distributing Bond 23. It was only a few days ago that The Hollywood Reporter reported on Paramount Pictures making a pitch to distribute. Today they report that 20th Century Fox made a pitch to MGM last Friday for James Bond’s 23rd cinematic mission. Columbia Pictures is also for sure in the mix as a possible distributor of the series. Previously Columbia distributed Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace. It makes sense that these aren’t the only studios clawing for 007. Practically every studio out there wants Bond. Why wouldn’t they? The question is whether they’re willing to accept MGM’s deal, and according to the previous report this deal could be huge, possibly one of the biggest the industry has ever seen since it likely doesn’t just factor Bond 23, but also a number of sequels.

20th Century Fox already has an in with MGM as well as the Bond world. They’re currently responsible for distributing MGM’s films overseas as well as MGM’s library on DVD which includes James Bond. Of course that doesn’t necessarily give them a leg up on the competition. Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson are said to favor Columbia Pictures due to their already established relationship on the previous two films, and Paramount has a good working relationship with MGM’s new CEOs’ Gary Barber and Roger Birnbaum based on their past collaborations (namely Star Trek).

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Carte Blanche; Project X title revealed

Project X is now Carte Blanche. In Dubai new James Bond author Jeffery Deaver announced the title of his new James Bond novel formerly known as Project X and gave a first look at the cover art.

A new website was simultaneously launched at 007carteblanche.co.uk.

Carte Blanche will be published by Hodder & Stoughton in the UK on 26 May 2011 (2 days prior to Ian Fleming’s birthday) and in the US by Simon & Schuster on June 14.

Deaver to reveal Project X title and cover in Dubai

On 18 January new James Bond author Jeffery Deaver will be in Dubai for the 2011 Emirates Airline Festival of Literature where he’ll be sitting down and talking about James Bond with local radio and TV presenter Shahnaz Pakhravan. Among the topics being discussed by Deaver will be his writing of Project X, his love of 007 and insights into stepping into Ian Fleming’s shoes. Jeffery will also be sharing with the audience new tidbits about the upcoming Bond adventure. The event will be taking place at the Dubai Cultural and Scientific Association at Al Mamzar.

Of most interest, however, Deaver has revealed on Twitter that fans will finally get to see the book’s title and cover art.

Project X – working title only – will be published on 28 May 2011 by Hodder & Stoughton in the UK and Simon & Schuster in the US.

Young Bond hits the back burner

Despite having a website, if you want to find out what Young Bond author Charlie Higson is up to nowadays all the juicy details can be found on his Twitter account. There’s been talk about the possibility of a Young Bond series 2 as recently as July 2010, and that could still happen, but it’s definitely hit the back burner due to Higson’s busy schedule. Via Twitter he writes:

“I have sadly had to draw a line under Young Bond for now. Too busy on other projects.”
– Charlie Higson

Another missed posting on his Twitter account was the announcement for the title of the third book in his horror series that began with The Enemy in 2009 and was followed by The Dead the following year. In September of this year be on the look out for The Fear. Oh, and as of 11 January, he finished it.

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Paramount reportedly is in talks for Bond 23

According to a recent report by The Hollywood Reporter, Bond 23’s distributor may end up being Paramount Pictures. This was first mentioned as one possibility here on CBn back in September. Also in the running is Columbia Pictures (Sony) who released the last two Bond films. The report states that Sony is on good terms with producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, but the family has also apparently approved of Paramount as a prospective distributor. Paramount also has a good relationship with MGM CEO’s Gary Barber and Roger Birnbaum having teamed up with them in the past on a number of Spyglass Entertainment’s films including 2009’s Star Trek.

Given how lucrative the James Bond franchise is, MGM is apparently looking for what the article calls “a potentially precedent-shattering distribution fee” not just for Bond 23, but future Bond films as well. Something that Paramount may not be too comfortable with and may balk at.

The report also (perhaps guesses) at Bond 23’s budget. Apparently less than $150 million, which is a sizable drop from 2008’s Quantum of Solace and even 2006’s Casino Royale.

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Bond 23 set for Nov 9, 2012

Officially now, Bond 23 is back on. Production for the 23rd outing in the James Bond franchise will commence in late 2011 for a worldwide release on November 9, 2012 according to a recent report by Deadline. Last month MGM roared back to life after exiting bankruptcy by securing $500 million in financing to fund new films and television series. Spyglass Entertainment executives Gary Barber and Roger Birnbaum also took over as co-CEOs of the new MGM.

Bond 23 will be directed by Academy Award winner Sam Mendes (American Beauty, Road to Perdition) with a script by Bond veterans Neal Purvis and Robert Wade as well as Academy Award nominee John Logan (Gladiator). Bond 23’s previous screenwriter Peter Morgan apparently dropped out sometime midway through 2010 when MGM’s financial problems forced the company to halt all productions. Morgan himself stated that he only ever wrote a treatment and never a full script or first draft.

Daniel Craig will be back as James Bond for a third time and casting for the film is likely already underway. The most recent rumor is that Sam Mendes will be teaming up with his friend Simon Russell Beale again. Although it’s unknown which role Beale will play, the latest rumor is that he will be a “good guy”. Sam Mendes and Daniel Craig previously worked together on Road to Perdition.

MGM Press Release

BOND 23 RELEASE DATE ANNOUNCED

LOS ANGELES, CA (JANUARY 11, 2011) – Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli of EON Productions, together with Gary Barber and Roger Birnbaum, Co-Chairmen and Chief Executive Officers of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc., today announced that the 23rd James Bond film will commence production in late 2011 for a worldwide release on November 9, 2012.

Daniel Craig will be returning as the legendary British secret agent, with Sam Mendes directing a screenplay written by Neal Purvis, Robert Wade and John Logan.

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Rumor: Simon Russell Beale to be good guy

There was talk a month ago from The Daily Mail that Bond 23 director Sam Mendes and producer Barbara Broccoli had already had meetings on casting for James Bond’s next mission including a specific mention of Broccoli going to see the play Deathtrap twice to see Simon Russell Beale. At the time it was thought that Beale (if cast) would be playing a villain mainly due to comments he’s made in the past.

“Every actor wants to be in Bond. I’d love to be a baddie. I saw Sam just before Christmas and dropped a hint – and he just looked wearily at me.” – Simon Russell Beale (referring to Christmas 2009)

The Telegraph jumps in with a story today saying that Simon is in detailed talks to play “a good guy” and that he reached out to Mendes to plead his case. Simon Russell Beale and Sam Mendes are good friends and have worked together several times, most recently in 2009 on The Winter’s Tale. They are schedule to work together again on King Lear sometime in 2012.

If this rumor is true, then what good guy could Beale play? If this character is an established one, then don’t think too hard about it. Messervy (aka M) is the obvious choice. That just leaves a question about Judi Dench. Or what about Q? Would be less comedic following than the later appearances of Desmond Llewelyn and obviously John Cleese. Maybe more of a Peter Burton armourer. Still possible. Also possible is another Rene Mathis character type. Worked well for both Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace.

Beale recently was the voice of George Smiley in a BBC Radio 4 adaptation of all the John Le Carré novels.

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