Javier Bardem offered Bond 23 role

Oscar-winning actor Javier Bardem has been offered a key role in the upcoming 23rd James Bond film, Deadline reports.

Details about the character remain unknown, but Deadline speculates it’s likely to be the role of the film’s villain.

The 41-year-old Spanish actor received the offer from 007 producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson last week, around the same time the actor received his third Oscar nomination for his role in the film Biutiful.

However, Bardem is a highly sought-after actor; last week he was also offered the lead role in Ron Howard’s three-film adaptation of Stephen King’s The Dark Tower series. Deadline also notes that the actor turned down the villain role in Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps.

Bardem is most well-known as the star of No Country for Old Men. He has also appeared in Collateral, Love in the Time of Cholera, Vicky Cristina Barcelona and Eat Pray Love.

In other Bond 23 news, Deadline also reports that MGM are using the film to leverage more cash flow for the embattled studio. According to the site, MGM are seeking a studio to co-finance a number of films as part of a deal to distribute the next James Bond outing.

An insider told Deadline, “The quick cash flow allows MGM to have revenue which it hasn’t had in a long time. Thereby their books look better, and therefore the possibility of getting more funds for production is increased. So expect whichever studio lands Bond to also announce it is several co-financing deals allowing MGM into other pics that are already shooting.”

But this stipulation isn’t sitting well with executives at studios seeking to land the distribution deal. Top brass at Sony, Warner Bros, Fox and Paramount “are growing increasingly frustrated with the way [MGM’s co-chairmen] are playing one studio off another – and enjoying it,” said one executive. One studio said its strategy to land the deal has been reduced to “pleading”.

Meanwhile, Dame Judi Dench has confirmed in an interview with BBC News that she’ll be back as “M” in Bond 23. The appearance will mark Dench’s seventh turn in the role; the Oscar-winning actress first appeared in 1995’s GoldenEye.

“I’m looking forward hugely to working with Daniel again and with Sam, who I’ve only ever worked with in the theatre,” the actress enthused to the BBC. “That’ll be all good fun to do. I’m so glad it’s coming back. It’s wonderful.”

Bond 23 will be released on 9 November 2012. The film will be directed by Sam Mendes from a script written by Neal Purvis, Robert Wade and John Logan. Details are being kept under wraps, but the film will follow on from the events of Quantum of Solace.

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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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MGM planning year-long 007 celebration in 2012

In their report on the official announcement of Bond 23, trade paper Variety notes that MGM aren’t going to let the James Bond series’ fiftieth anniversary slip by.

The studio have already begun preparing a year-long celebration to mark 50 years since the release of the very first 007 film, Dr No.

Specifics remain unknown, but fans should expect a celebration to top the series’ fortieth birthday held in the lead-up to the release of 2002’s Die Another Day.

Spy blog Double O Section speculates that the celebrations could include anything from theatrical re-releases of classic 007 films, books, toys and the release of the remaining Bond films on Blu-ray Disc.

Bond 23, to be directed by Sam Mendes from a script by Neal Purvis, Robert Wade and John Logan, will be released on 9 November 2012. The film will feature Daniel Craig reprising the role of James Bond for the third time.

Keep watching CommanderBond.net for more details on the Bond films’ fiftieth anniversary as they come to hand.

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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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Bond 23 inches forward

Yesterday Bankruptcy Court in the Southern District of New York approved MGM’s pre-packaged plan of reorganization, which clears the way for MGM and its subsidiaries to emerge from Chapter 11 (i.e., bankruptcy). MGM expects their plan to go into effect by mid-December which will place Gary Barber and Roger Birnbaum as co-CEOs of MGM and essentially wipe away nearly $5 billion in debt in exchange for majority equity in the new MGM.

“We only just got the news that we’re back on.” –David Arnold

MGM recently announced that new James Bond films starting with Bond 23 may be released every second year starting in November 2012. They also recently forged ahead on Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit by paying out (at least) $20 million to fund production of its two films.

Long-time Bond composer, David Arnold, recently commented to Film Music Magazine about the status of Bond 23 and what ideas he may have for the film saying, “I haven’t thought about it yet. 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!”

Also Kate Winslet confirmed to The Daily Mail that Mendes is still on for Bond 23. “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 ­forwards to New York from ­London. It would be impossible. The children will be there with me.” The Daily Mail also stated that Mendes and Bond producer Barbara Broccoli have already had meetings over casting. It should be taken with a pinch of salt, but it claims Broccoli saw the play Deathtrap twice to see Simon Russell Beale.

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MGM announces Bond 23 for November 2012

It’s not set in stone, but MGM has announced that new James Bond films starting with Bond 23 may be released every second year starting in November 2012 according to Bloomberg. Right now MGM is only wanting to own 50 percent of Bond 23 with an equal partner paying all of the production costs. Further 007 adventures would be wholly owned and funded by MGM.

Before any of this occurs though MGM must first go through bankruptcy which it recently filed for, and take care of its obligations for Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit. MGM announced that they’ve already paid $20 million to fund production of the two films and estimates that they may be required to pay $275 million total.

Still unknown is whether MGM plans to continue to distribute the James Bond films. Much speculation has been made saying they won’t which could open a battlefront for distribution rights to the lucrative series. Columbia Pictures, Warner Bros, Fox, and Paramount are said to already be in contention.

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Wilson gives update on Bond 23

While speaking with IGN about the upcoming James Bond video games Blood Stone and GoldenEye 007, producer David G. Wilson gave a small but good update on Bond 23. “We’re in a holding pattern to see what happens with the studio. We support them – we’ve had a long relationship for a long time and it’s really important for us to get going again. They just have to sort out their financial issues.”

Wilson also admitted that the script isn’t currently being worked on. “The script’s been in development for some time. We often start the scripts about a year before pre-production has begun. So the script has been in development but it’s been halted for the time being.”

Recently it was reported that director Sam Mendes took himself out of the running to direct Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games because of MGM’s recent progress. Wilson also commented on Mendes reconfirming that Mendes is still slated to direct once filming gets underway, “Yes, he’s very excited to do this film – and it’s a matter of timing too. He’s a hot director, and there’s a danger he would have to go and work on something else so we have to be patient and optimistic.”

When asked about a start date Wilson said “They have a plan going forward, and hopefully everything will go to plan and we hope to be in a position next year to start the film again.”

Eon enters running to buy MGM?

Only a few days after Spyglass’ letter of intent and MGM receiving a seventh extension of debt forbearance, there’s a new spectacular twist in the ongoing saga about the future of MGM.

Bloomberg and other media report that Indian conglomerate Sahara India Pariwar has offered between $1.5 and $2 billion to buy the troubled studio. The spectacular element of these reports is that “Barbara Broccoli and her stepbrother Michael G. Wilson are part of the Sahara India offer and would receive an undisclosed equity stake in MGM if it succeeds. It wasn’t clear whether Broccoli and Wilson would have a management role in the Los Angeles-based studio, the person said.” (Bloomberg)

Sahara India has interests in finance, infrastructure and housing, media, consumer products, manufacturing and services, according to its website. Its entertainment operations include cable-television channels, film production and cinema chains.

Abhijit Sarkar, SIP head of corporate communications, said today, “It is too early to comment on the issue.” Spokespersons for both MGM and Eon productions refused to comment.

UPDATE: Reports of an official denial by Eon are just in: According to this new Bloomberg report, “EON Productions tonight confirmed they have never had any contact with Sahara India Pariwar and are in no way involved in the Sahara India Pariwar bid for MGM,” spokeswoman Stephanie Wenborn said in a statement.