Daniel Craig's James Bond Contract To Kill For

According to a report from the Sunday Express, Daniel Craig is set to become Britain’s highest paid actor as a result of a new multi-million pound pay raise for playing James Bond.

As a result of Casino Royale‘s magnificent success at the worldwide box-office (see CBn’s full coverage here), Craig will receive £5 million for his return as 007 in Bond 22 and £8 million for Bond 23. These sums are reportedly double what he originally negotiated with Eon Productions.

Leon Forde of movie magazine Screen International, said: ‘The fact is that he’s become integral to the success of the Bond franchise and I’m not surprised that he’s been given a new contract. Eon are obviously doing everything they can to keep him on board.’

An Eon spokesperson refused to comment on the contract renegotiations, saying: ‘We never discuss such matters.’

Since his debut as 007 in last year’s Casino Royale, Craig has kept very busy with several non-Bond projects including The Invasion, The Golden Compass and the low-budget British film, Flashbacks Of A Fool.

The indie film Flashbacks Of A Fool centers on a hedonistic British actor (played by Craig) whose Hollywood career is starting to nosedive. It is the feature-writing and directing debut of Baillie Walsh.

He told the Sunday Express: ‘We were lucky. Daniel liked the script and wanted to do the film and he delivers a fantastic performance in the title role.’

‘You only have to see Daniel’s films, be it Enduring Love or Layer Cake, to realise what a brilliant actor he is and that’s why casting agents in Britain and America are falling over themselves to have him in their films. The fact that Daniel is still making films like mine when he could be earning 10 times as much in Hollywood is a tribute to him as a person.’

Commenting on his interpretation of Bond, Walsh said: ‘There were bound to be doubters because Bond is such an institution, and anyone who steps into the role is going to be subjected to intense scrutiny.’

‘The only thing he ever wanted to be judged on was his acting and his performance as Bond. And there’s no doubt that he’s a great Bond.’

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James Bond Returns To France Early

JamesBond-fr.com today reports that the next James Bond film has received a French release date of 5 November 2008, two days before the film is distributed internationally.

The news comes direct from Sony Pictures France.

Daniel Craig as James Bond

Despite having to wait until 22 November 2006 for Daniel Craig’s debut as Agent 007 in Casino Royale (five days after the film was released internationally), France was also treated to an early release date for 2002’s Die Another Day.

Originally scheduled for release on 2 May 2008, Bond 22 was delayed six months so that production would not be rushed.

Keep watching CBn for all the latest news on the cinematic James Bond.

007 Deserts The Czech Republic

Variety today reports that Eon Productions have informed Prague’s Barrandov Studios – base of last year’s hit, Casino Royale – that their services would not be required for the next James Bond film. Eon cited the lack of financial incentives in the Czech Republic as the reason for not returning.

Instead, 007 will return to Pinewood Studios, England, where many a Bond film has been shot.

Barrandov Studios in Prague

Vladimir Kuba, head of Barrandov Studios, was told by Eon that while Prague “was wonderful”, the decision not to film there was a financial one. Kuba said, “We received it from the Bond producers in black and white. They reportedly regret it … but the budget decided it.”

The decision comes as a blow to the Czech film industry, which is beginning to somewhat flag. As the government seems increasingly unwilling to fund homegrown films, foreign production spending has dropped by over one-third since 2003. The James Bond franchise is the second to pull out of Barrandov Studios in recent times; producers of Hellboy 2: The Golden Army decided not to re-use the studios, which hosted production of the series’ first picture.

Eon Productions declined to comment to Variety on which other shooting locations would feature in Bond 22.

MGM To Take James Bond Back From Sony?

According to The Hollywood Reporter, MGM isn’t planning on letting go of the rights to the James Bond 007 films any time soon.

As things currently stand, Sony has the right to distribute the upcoming Bond 22 theatrically, with MGM set to handle the film’s release on cable and home entertainment.

‘On the next Bond film, Sony is a 50-50 financier with MGM,’ says one source familiar with the arrangement. ‘But, according to their deal, in five years, MGM can buy Sony’s 50% back. That was true on Casino Royale, too: They can buy Sony’s half back in five years, and there’s plenty of TV and DVD money in those movies.’

MGM currently holds the rights to all of the future Bond films. Reportedly, executives at the the company recently renegotiated the deal with Daniel Craig to continue as 007, ‘significantly upping his salary though declining to give him a share of back-end.’

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Marc Forster And Paul Haggis Discuss 'Bond 22'

As part of the Los Angeles Film Festival’s Coffee Talk series last week, Bond 22‘s director Marc Forster and screenwriter Paul Haggis sat down to discuss the upcoming James Bond film.

‘I’ve been trying to look into it for a while and been looking for the right project,’ said Forster regarding the Bond series and its well-known action spectacle. ‘I just haven’t found it until now so I always had the fascination. I just always enjoyed them very, very much, loved the whole Indiana Jones series, the old Bonds, all those movies.’

With Forster currently working on The Kite Runner, he hasn’t had much of a chance to consider Bond 22. ‘I’m just literally mixing The Kite Runner in July and then sometime in August or September, I start [Bond 22]. To be honest, I haven’t put any thought because really, my mind is in The Kite Runner and scoring and finishing that up. I haven’t really spent any time with that stuff. I wish I could tell you. Maybe in a later period … I think finding Bond girls will always be an interesting task but again, not something I have dealt with at this point.’

Paul Haggis (who returns from Casino Royale) was offered the director’s chair for Bond 22 at one point, but insists that he didn’t want the job. ‘There are certain things you can write and there are certain things you can direct. I just felt that it takes a big commitment to direct a Bond film. It’s a 120 day shoot. It’s a two year commitment basically to do it. If you do that on top of writing, it’s almost a three year commitment. So I just didn’t want to dedicate that much time. It’s going to take me six months to get the script into shape as it is. I think I’ll do that and then I’ll go off into the next project.’

While currently working on the film In the Valley of Elah, Haggis has also been busy with the Bond 22 script (which he was scheduled to work on just after he left this very interview). The action sequences are a major aspect at this stage: ‘I didn’t come up with the [Bahamas construction site] chase sequence in the beginning [for Casino Royale]. That was Martin Campbell who came up with that and it was presented to me. But just the stairwell scene and things like that, I’d come up with, so I’ve got a couple of those planned.’

One of the biggest news stories from earlier this year was that Bond 22 was set to be a direct continuation from the events that occurred in Casino Royale. Not entirely so, according to Haggis: ‘I wouldn’t describe it as such,’ he says. ‘I think it’s going to stand on its own although it does follow right on the heels of Casino Royale.’

CBn will keep you updated with all the latest news, details and rumours regarding Bond 22.

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'Bond 22' Set In The Alps?

In an interview with Swiss newspaper SonntagsBlick, Bond 22 director Marc Forster has revealed that he plans to use the Swiss Alps as a location for the upcoming Bond film.

“There can’t be any better place than the alps”, Forster said. “No matter if you plan to do romantic scenes or hard action, the alps will be the perfect background for a Bond movie.” Anyhow, definite decisions are yet to be made. The Swiss alps have already served as a location for 1969’s On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.

While Forster has already talked to Daniel Craig about the film, no decisions concerning the Bond girls have been made. “To cast the girls for a Bond movie gives pleasure”, the director said.

Forster also revealed that he was surprised when he got the offer to direct a Bond film. He asked himself if the producers hadn’t called the wrong number, but he understood their motives after their first talk about the film: “They certainly did not want to hire an ‘action director'”, he said. “They pretty much knew what they wanted: a young and unconsumed ‘drama director’ with his own visions.”

CBn will keep you updated with all the latest news, rumours and details regarding Bond 22.

Marc Forster To Direct 'Bond 22'

The Hollywood Reporter has announced that Marc Foster is to direct the 22nd Bond film:

Marc Forster has signed on to direct the next installment in the James Bond franchise for Columbia Pictures and MGM.

Daniel Craig will reprise his role as Agent 007 in the film, which has a working title of “Bond 22.”

Forster — whose credits include “Stranger Than Fiction,” “Finding Neverland” and “Monster’s Ball” — recently wrapped “The Kite Runner,” based on Khaled Hosseini’s best-selling novel.

While some may feel that Forster, born in Ulm, Germany in 1969 is a bit of a departure for Eon Productions, because the recent slate of directors have hailed from the British Commonwealth, Forster will not be the first Bond director from outside the Commonwealth with Terence Young born in China and Guy Hamilton born in France.

The official press release:

Marc Forster to Direct ‘Bond 22’

Marc Forster will direct the 22nd James Bond adventure, it was announced today by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, producers of the James Bond films, Sony Pictures Entertainment, and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios.

Forster is the acclaimed director of the highly anticipated motion picture The Kite Runner, adapted from Khaled Hosseini’s best-selling novel. He also recently directed the comic hit Stranger Than Fiction for Sony Pictures. Previously, Forster directed the award-winning and critically acclaimed films Finding Neverland, which was nominated for seven Academy Awards including Best Picture, and Monster’s Ball, for which Halle Berry won a Best Actress Oscar.

Forster will commence work shortly with screenwriter Paul Haggis on a draft of the screenplay by Neil Purvis and Robert Wade.

Daniel Craig will reprise the role of James Bond in the as-yet-untitled Bond 22 production, which follows Casino Royale, the highest-grossing film so far in the most successful franchise in motion picture history.

With nearly $600 million in worldwide box-office receipts, Casino Royale was also regarded by critics as one of the best Bond films yet. Bond 22 will begin filming at Pinewood Studios, London, in December 2007. Columbia Pictures will release the film worldwide on November 7, 2008.

Wilson and Broccoli said, “We are delighted that Marc Forster, with his exceptional talent and unique vision, has agreed to direct our next James Bond film.”

Forster said, “I have always been drawn to different kinds of stories and I have also always been a Bond fan, so it is very exciting to take on this challenge. The new direction that the Bond character has taken offers a director a host of fresh possibilities and I look forward to working with Daniel Craig, Barbara Broccoli, and Michael Wilson, as well as the team at Sony and MGM on this new film.”

Amy Pascal, Co-Chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment, added, “We had a great experience working with Marc on Stranger than Fiction and we are excited to be working with him again. He’s an actor’s director; he approaches material with intelligence and taste. What makes him the perfect choice for Bond 22 is that he will bring to this film all the elements Bond audiences expect – action, humor, suspense, and thrills.”

“The Bond franchise is one of MGM’s most treasured legacies,” added Harry Sloan, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, MGM. “We share Michael and Barbara’s confidence in Marc Forster’s directing talents and support him in his efforts to continue the evolution of the Bond story for today’s filmgoers.”

Forster is represented by CAA and Management 360.

About EON Productions

EON Productions/Danjaq, LLC, is owned by the Broccoli family and has produced twenty one James Bond films since 1962, including Casino Royale. The James Bond films, produced by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, make up the most successful franchise in film history and include the recent blockbuster films GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies, The World is Not Enough, and Die Another Day. EON Productions and Danjaq, LLC, are affiliate companies and control all worldwide merchandising of the James Bond franchise.

About Columbia Pictures

Columbia Pictures, part of the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, is a Sony Pictures Entertainment company. Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America (SCA), a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE’s global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution; television production and distribution; digital content creation and distribution; worldwide channel investments; home entertainment acquisition and distribution; operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of filmed entertainment in 67 countries. Sony Pictures Entertainment can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.sonypictures.com.

About Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc., through its operating subsidiaries is actively engaged in the worldwide production and distribution of motion pictures, television programming, home video, interactive media, music and licensed merchandise. The company owns the world’s largest library of modern films, comprising around 4,000 titles. Operating units include Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc., United Artists Films Inc., Ventanazul, MGM Television Entertainment Inc., MGM Networks Inc., MGM Distribution Co., MGM International Television Distribution Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Home Entertainment LLC, MGM ON STAGE, MGM Music, MGM Worldwide Digital Media, MGM Consumer Products and MGM Interactive. In addition, MGM has ownership interests in international TV channels reaching nearly 110 countries. MGM ownership is as follows: Providence Equity Partners (29%), TPG (21%), Sony Corporation of America (20%), Comcast (20%), DLJ Merchant Banking Partners (7%) and Quadrangle Group (3%). For more information, visit www.mgm.com.

You can discuss this news in this thread on the CBn Forums. Thanks to ‘zencat’ for the tip-off.

Daniel Craig And James Bond Producers In Los Angeles

Daniel Craig and James Bond producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli have been spotted in a new video that has appeared online.

The three were spotted in Los Angeles recently and captured on video by celebrity photograph site splashnews.com. Bond 22, which is due for release in November of next year, was very likely the center of discussion.

Click here to watch the 30 second video online.

CBn will keep you updated with all the latest news, details and rumours regarding Bond 22.

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'Bond 22' Filming Due To Start Late 2007/Early 2008

According to a report from The Guardian, revenues at Pinewood Studios will be hit during 2007 due to a number of major productions that will ‘commence filming some weeks later than previously expected.’

While Pinewood would not comment on which specific projects had been delayed, a spokesperson for Eon Productions told Reuters that Daniel Craig’s second James Bond film, Bond 22 (set for theatrical release on 7 November 2008), was due to begin filming at the end of 2007. She had no comment on whether this was a delayed start to filming.

As a result of the timing delay at Pinewood, reported film revenues for 2007 are likely to be flat year-on-year. 2008 will, in turn, likely see an increase in profits.

Nonetheless, many industry experts are predicting 2007 could be the most lucrative yet for the British film industry, despite Pinewood’s update and fierce competition from countries in eastern Europe with cheaper costs (as was the case with Prague’s Barrandov Studios for Casino Royale). This is largely because, from this year, the Treasury will be offering up to 20% tax relief for small budget films and 16% for films costing more than £20 million.

One of Pinewood’s main attractions is the newly rebuilt ‘007 Stage,’ which was burned down by a fire in July 2006. The new stage has increased the usable area inside from 45,424 square feet to 59,000 square feet. Click here for an in-depth report on the rebuilding of the ‘007 Stage’.

CBn will keep you updated with all the latest news, rumours and details regarding Bond 22.

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Martin Campbell To Helm '36' Remake

CBn reported last Friday that Martin Campbell (GoldenEye, Casino Royale) was in negotiations to direct Unstoppable, a 20th Century Fox drama about a runaway train carrying a cargo of toxic chemicals. Now, Reuters reports that Campbell is additionally attached to direct 36, a remake of a 2004 French-language thriller.

36 revolves around two detectives who try to solve a series of armored car robberies in the hopes of landing a promotion promised to whoever catches the perpetrators. Robert De Niro is producing the project and has been attached to star. The original film, 36 quai des orfevres, starred veteran actors Daniel Auteuil and Gerard Depardieu.

With pre-production commencing on Unstoppable, which isn’t due for release until 2009, and now the 36 remake, it is looking quite unlikely that James Bond fans will see Campbell return for Daniel Craig’s second 007 film.

CBn will keep you updated with all the latest news, rumours and details regarding Bond 22.

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