The Sun stirs up 3D rumours for Bond 23

With the news feed and rumour mill beginning to kick into gear for Bond 23, The Sun has chimed in with their own exclusive of sorts for the forthcoming James Bond film.

According to the paper—which can always be counted upon for some of the rather outlandish rumours and reports when it comes to 007—Bond 23 is being lined up as a 3D picture.

A source for the paper stated: ‘The 23rd Bond movie has been put back a few months and that has given them the time to prepare to film it in 3D. Everyone involved in the project is really excited because it will take the franchise in a new direction.’

While the actual chances of this happening are an entirely different matter, it is still fun to sit back and wonder about the possibilities.

As always, stay up-to-date with all the latest James Bond coverage by visiting the CommanderBond.net main page and our Discussion Forums.

James McAvoy denies Ian Fleming biopic rumours

At the very end of last year, a rumour emerged online that Scottish actor James McAvoy was reportedly being considered to take the lead role in a new Ian Fleming biopic being developed by Palmstar Entertainment and Animus Films.

Simply titled Ian Fleming, the film would be an adaptation of Andrew Lycett’s 1995 biography of the 007 creator, Ian Fleming: The Man Behind James Bond.

However, according to a just-released video interview with McAvoy at Collider, Bond fans won’t be seeing him on the screen anytime soon as the British author.

‘It’s all a rumour,’ said McAvoy. ‘I’ve read the script—I read it a long time ago, though, and I never even spoke to the producers. I don’t know where it’s come from.’

The actor continued: ‘It’s kind of strange, it’s not bad things you’re hearing about yourself, but quite often you’re just hearing things that aren’t true. As much as they’re not bad things, there’s a part of you that goes, “But it’s not true!’ It’s like you’re saying that I like coffee instead of tea. It’s not that big of a deal, but it’s just not true!’

As always, keep turning to the CommanderBond.net main page and our Discussion Forums for all the latest news from the world of James Bond.

Mendes' publicist comments on 007 reports

Sam Mendes’ British publicist Sara Keene has confirmed to guardian.co.uk that the director is indeed in talks to helm the 23rd James Bond film.

Sam Mendes

Keene told the website, “I can confirm that he has had a meeting, but Sam always has lots of projects on the table that he might direct next. Sam’s method is to have a number of projects as possible next films and at some point to confirm which film he’s going to do.”

The news comes after Hollywood blogger Nikki Fenke reported on the curious negotiations owing to the imminent sale of MGM. Fenke claims Mendes is soon to be brought on board the film as a “consultant with an eye to direct”.

Mendes is the Oscar-winning director behind such films as American Beauty, Road to Perdition and Revolutionary Road.

MGM has refused to confirm the reports to trade paper Variety. The studio also denied reports that pre-production on Bond 23 is on hold.

Keep watching CommanderBond.net for the latest James Bond news.

Muddy MGM situation behind Mendes negotiations

Trusted Hollywood blogger Nikki Fenke of Deadline.com is exclusively reporting that Sam Mendes has not signed on to direct the 23rd James Bond film… yet.

Instead, Fenke claims the Oscar-winning helmer of American Beauty and Road to Perdition is in final negotiations to initially board Bond 23 as a “consultant”.

The curious negotiations reportedly stem from the increasingly muddied behind-the-scenes situation at the beleaguered studio home of the 007 films, MGM.

According to the blogger’s sources, Eon Productions requires a first payment from MGM once the company hires a director. Accordingly, Mendes is in final negotiations to come on board the project “as a consultant with an eye to direct”.

Fenke’s source said, “Once they put [Mendes] on as the director, something happens to the contract in terms of ownership. But let me emphasize there’s not any deal done.”

Fenke writes, “Given that MGM is teetering on the brink of bankruptcy, and Eon may have the right to take Bond elsewhere, it stands to reason that the producers wouldn’t want to do anything right away that further complicates ownership of Bond #23.”

Also of interest is Fenke’s claim that Daniel Craig “insisted” upon Mendes’ involvement in the film following the mixed critical reaction to Quantum of Solace.

MGM has refused to confirm the reports to trade paper Variety. The studio also denied reports that pre-production on Bond 23 is on hold.

Keep watching CommanderBond.net for the latest James Bond news.

Director Sam Mendes rumoured for Bond 23

British director Sam Mendes is reportedly in talks to direct the 23rd James Bond film, says The Hollywood Reporter’s Heat Vision blog.

The blog states that the Road to Perdition and Revolutionary Road helmer is currently in negotiations with Eon Productions’ Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson to take on what will be Daniel Craig’s third 007 outing.

‘Plans for the film are moving forward despite a possible sale of MGM.’

While it has been recently reported that work on Bond 23 is on hold due to the impending MGM sale, Heat Vision reports that production on the film is being fast-tracked and could begin as early as June with an eye toward the 2011 release.

No official statement has been made, so we’ll have to watch and see.

Keep your browsers pointed to the CommanderBond.net main page for all the latest Bond 23 news.

Daniel Craig lands on GQ's 2010 Best Dressed list

Daniel Craig has landed in the top ten of GQ Magazine‘s Best Dressed list for the fourth straight year in a row.

Daniel Craig

As reported on the official website, the James Bond star came in at #6 overall this year, down two spots from his 2009 position. Says GQ:

‘His Alfred Dunhill suits and formal approach to dressing are inherently British and he should be revered for his celebration of classic, rigorous British tailoring.’ – Hywel Davies, fashion author.

Favouring all the great British brands, from Sunspel to Turnbull & Asser, this Bond certainly dresses to kill.

Topping the list was Twilight superstar Robert Pattinson, followed closely by Take That, Alex Turner and Tom Ford, among others.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown was named the worst dressed man of the year, alongside stars including Russell Brand, Piers Morgan and French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

The top 50 best dressed will be included in the February 2010 issue of GQ, due out on 7 January.

Keep turning to the CommanderBond.net main page and our Discussion Forums for all the latest James Bond news and coverage.

Bond 23 pre-production put on hold

Daniel Craig is James Bond in Quantum of Solace

As already reported, MGM, the studio behind the James Bond films, is facing immense financial problems, resulting in a sale of the studio. Screenwriter Peter Morgan already hinted at the delay of pre-production due to these difficulties. Until today, no official confirmation has been given for a halt.

Today, the Sunday Express reports that not only pre-production of Bond 23 has been halted, but that the “future of the Bond franchise hangs in the balance.” The paper indicates that if the MGM situation remains unclear, the film rights of the franchise could be sold off to another studio.

Producer Michael G Wilson, who produces the Bond films with Barbara Broccoli, admitted to the paper: “We just don’t know enough about the situation to comment but we know it’s uncertain.”

Dame Judi Dench and Daniel Craig already confirmed that Bond 23 was only due in 2011, making the gap between Quantum of Solace and the next film the longest one between two films in Daniel Craig’s term as James Bond, but with a possible sale of either the studio or the filming rights, even a longer gap does not seem to be unlikely at all.

Keep your browsers pointed to the CommanderBond.net main page for all the latest Bond 23 news.

George Lazenby returns to Dave White Presents radio show

Dave White Presents opens the New Year with a look back, reprising two of the most popular interviews we’ve featured so far—with a difference.

When DWP debuted in Aug. 2008, many of our interviews were broken up into parts and broadcast over several shows. Without question, the most popular was Wes Britton’s lengthy conversation with former 007 George Lazenby, which first aired on our Dec. 24, 2008 and Jan. 7, 2009 broadcasts. As a New Year’s gift to all our fans, and Bond lovers in particular, our Jan. 5, 2010 show will include that interview in its hour plus entirety from beginning to end. If you missed it the first time around, or would like to hear the conversation without interruption, here’s your chance to hear George’s memories in one go—and listening to George telling his story adds dimensions to the saga not always quite so poignant in printed versions of how On Her Majesty’s Secret Service came to be.

But that’s not all—Dave picked out one of his very favorite interviews, that with film producer Mark Cushman that was first heard on our 15 October and 29 October 2008 shows. In it, Mark discussed his ‘mock-umentary,’ Desperately Seeking Paul McCartney, in which a Beatle fan is followed around chronicling her quest to follow up on a ’60s comic offer by Sir Paul to marry her. The behind-the-scenes story of how this parody of reality television came to be is as entertaining as the cult classic DVD itself! And now, for the first time, the full story is brought together in one broadcast for your post-holiday enjoyment.

This special edition of ‘Dave White Presents’ will debut Tuesday, 5 January at 7:30 p.m. Pacific Time, 10:30 EST, over www.KSAV.org.

On Wednesday, 6 January, the show will be available for 24/7 download at www.audioentertainment.org/dwp.

Keep your browsers locked on the CommanderBond.net main page and our Twitter feed for all the latest news on James Bond-related events occurring around the world.

James McAvoy attached to new Ian Fleming biopic

Scottish actor James McAvoy is reportedly attached to star in a newly announced Ian Fleming biopic.

Ian Fleming

According to Pajiba, the Atonement and Wanted star is currently the top name in line for the lead role.

The project, with a current working title of Ian Fleming, is being developed by Palmstar Entertainment and Animus Films and is based off of Andrew Lycett’s extensive 1995 biography of the James Bond creator, Ian Fleming: The Man Behind James Bond.

The biopic is said to be independently financed at a cost of roughly $40 million. While no release date has been announced, the producers are currently in search of a director. Matt Brown, who helmed and wrote 2000’s Ropewalk, is writing the screenplay.

As earlier reported on CommanderBond.net, a separate Fleming biopic (produced by Leonardo DiCaprio’s Appian Way company) is also in the development stage. For more on this project, check out this CBn article.

As always, keep turning to the CommanderBond.net main page and our Discussion Forums for all the latest news from the world of James Bond.

Pierce Brosnan's The Greatest gets 2010 theatrical release in US

Pierce Brosnan’s family drama The Greatest now has a theatrical release date set for early 2010 in the United States.

Pierce Brosnan

DVDTOWN reports that the film, which first premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, will be distributed by Paladin. A late March initial debut is planned, with theatrical expansion to follow in early April.

Home video rights will be handled by National Entertainment Media (NEM).

‘We believe that Paladin and NEM, our innovative all media distribution team, will do a terrific job getting the film out to the widest possible audience,’ said writer/director Shana Feste. ‘I am thrilled that Mark Urman’s Paladin and NEM are releasing my first feature as they have demonstrated the sort of passion and commitment to the movie that makes a filmmaker feel in safe hands.’

The film features the former James Bond star alongside Susan Sarandon as two parents grieving over the death of their son.

The film served as the opening selection for the 17th annual Hamptons International Film Festival this past October.

Keep your browsers locked on the CommanderBond.net main page—and our brand new Twitter feed—for all the latest news on James Bond-related events occurring around the world.