Revisiting Bond Battles With Bollinger And Taittinger

An article posted at Decanter notes that an old rivalry between the Bollinger And Taittinger champagne houses may have been sparked by recent Ian Fleming centenary events.

Each company sponsored a seperate centenary event earlier this month: Bollinger was behind the ‘For Your Eyes Only: Ian Fleming and James Bond’ exhibition at London’s Imperial War Museum, while Taittinger was on hand only a few days later at the ‘Bond Bound: Ian Fleming & the Art of Cover Design’ exhibition.

Taittinger was a favourite of the literary James Bond, while Bollinger has been much more prominent in the film series, most recently featured in 2006’s Casino Royale.

‘Taittinger was actually Ian Fleming’s favourite Champagne,’ said Justin Llewellyn, brand ambassador for Taittinger and son of gadget master Desmond Llewellyn.

‘We have a letter from Fleming thanking M. Taittinger for a dozen bottles, and Taittinger was mentioned in Casino Royale, Moonraker, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service and Goldfinger.’

The last time Taittinger made a screen appearance in the 007 series dates back to 1963’s From Russia with Love.

‘They approached Claude Taittinger for the next film, but he didn’t want to be involved, and we never have been since,’ said Llewellyn.

Elizabeth Ferguson, PR manager for Mentzendorff, Bollinger’s UK importer, confirmed Bollinger has been James Bond’s Champagne since 1979. ‘The earlier Bond books do indeed feature Taittinger as well as other Champagne brands before he became a faithful Bollinger drinker,’ she said.

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Eon Inks Hollywood Deal

Times Online reports that Eon Productions, the force behind 22 James Bond films, has inked a deal with Hollywood studio Columbia Pictures that will see them produce a series of thrillers and family-oriented movies.

Five projects are presently in development, with another 10 expected to be greenlit within the month.

Among these are thriller Dark Winter, about the kidnapped daughter of a Russian oligarch, and comedy Divorcing Reno, about a suicidal man who gets a second chance.

Alby James, Head of Development at the Eon Screenwriters Workshop, said the British writers had become accustomed to writing for the small screen. “Television is what we do well. But we must add to what we do.”

Last month, it emerged that Eon Productions plans to back a remake of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, though it is unclear if this is part of the Columbia Pictures deal.

To date, Eon Productions have made only one film outside of the blockbuster Bond franchise: 1963’s Call Me Bwana.

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Ian Fleming's Goldeneye To Become A Resort Location

Ian Fleming

Goldeneye.

Besides the film of the same name, James Bond fans know it best as the stunning Jamaican seaside villa where Ian Fleming wrote the original 007 novels.

As Fleming described in the 1960 article How to Write a Thriller, he had a relatively strict routine of balancing his work on each new Bond adventure along with the numerous pleasures the island location had to offer.

‘Write 2,000 words a day, go snorkeling, have a few martinis, have some beautiful women over for dinner’ summed up author Sebastian Faulks, who followed Fleming’s formula for his own forthcoming 007 novel, Devil May Care.

Now, according to a report from The Times, those luxurious benefits that Goldeneye has to offer are going to be available to the public… for a price.

The report states that Fleming’s island hideaway is going to be turned into a $120 million (£60 million) resort for sports stars, rock musicians and businessmen.

Work on the project began this past week, which will include 85 homes ranging in price from $750,000 to $3 million, two restaurants, a health spa, delicatessen, supermarket and watersports centre.

While there are obvious concerns that this massive development could sour the intimate appeal of Fleming’s original four-room whitewashed villa, grounds and secluded private beach,’ current owner Chris Blackwell believes the essence of Goldeneye can be preserved.

Hoping the project will help the local society by creating 1,500 jobs on site and in the surrounding area, where unemployment is about 70%, he said: ‘The Jamaican people are the root of my success and I want to give something back. I will keep Fleming’s house as it is so that people can see the Goldeneye that he wrote in, but the future of this place is as a resort location.’

Goldeneye will be a star player in the upcoming ‘For Your Eyes Only: Ian Fleming and James Bond’ centenary exhibition to be held at the Imperial War Museum in London this April. Of particular interest will be a recreation of Fleming’s study where he originally wrote the Bond novels.

Lucy Fleming, the author’s niece, emphasized the important connection between the island location and the world of 007 by quoting Fleming himself: ‘Would these books have been born if I hadn’t been living in the gorgeous vacuum of a Jamaican holiday? I doubt it.’

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'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' Set To Soar On The Big Screen Once More?

When Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was first released as a film in 1968, the tagline promised the ‘most fantasmagorical musical entertainment in the history of everything’.

And according an article posted last week in the Sunday Express, Bond fans may start hearing a lot more about it in the upcoming year.

The article states that the film is reportedly set to soar on the big screen once more as a remake with ‘big-name stars, a multi-million pound budget and cutting-edge special effects’; backed by Bond production company Eon Productions, who are said to be in possession of the necessary rights.

‘It will probably go into production next year after we’ve finished with the latest James Bond film,’ said one Eon executive.’

The popular tale of a magical flying car, one of the few non-Bond novels originally penned by Fleming, first debuted in theatres in 1968 with Dick Van Dyke, Sally Ann Howes and Lionel Jeffries in the main roles.

The film, produced by Albert R. Broccoli, also featured an array of 007 series cast and crew members, including actors Gert Fröbe, Desmond Llewelyn, a screenwriters Richard Maibaum and Roald Dahl, associate producer Stanley Sopel, production designer Ken Adam, art director Harry Pottle, and many others.

The Sunday Express article adds that Johnny Depp is reportedly being courted to star in the remake. ‘We’re hopeful that he’ll say yes,’ added the Eon executive.

In recent years, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang became very well known as a popular stage perfomance. The musical ran at the London Palladium from 2002 to 2005 and became a massive hit, earning over £70 million.

As a word of warning, the above information from the Sunday Express is yet to be confirmed and should be treated as such. In it’s 40+ year history of producing the official 007 films, Eon Productions has only been behind one non-Bond film, 1963’s Call Me Bwana.

We’ll just have to wait and see…

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007 Films Now Available On Xbox Live

As reported by CommanderBond.net early last month, the catalogue of James Bond films were to be made available on the Xbox Live service for the Xbox 360 console.

According to an update from Gaming Today, the Bond films are now listed on the Xbox Live Marketplace. Currently only Prerce Brosnan’s final two films–The World is not Enough and Die Another Day–are available, but more are in the pipeline.

The deal between Microsoft and MGM Studios consists of more than 50 classic films in addition to the 007 series.

Non-Bond titles include Rocky and The Silence of the Lambs. The television series line-up includes “Desperate Housewives,” “Hannah Montana” and “Nightline.”

First launched in 2006 for films and TV, the Xbox Live Marketplace, now claimed to be the number one destination for HD downloads, has since signed content deals with Warner Bros., Paramount, Nickelodeon, Fox, Disney, New Line, Lionsgate, Miramax, MTV and Turner Broadcasting.

Keep watching CommanderBond.net for all the latest 007 news from the world of James Bond.

James Bond Films To Be Made Available On Xbox Live

News has emerged from the Hollywood Reporter that the films from the James Bond franchise are included in a new deal between Microsoft and MGM Studios to make more than 50 classic movies available on the Xbox Live service for the Xbox 360 console.

The announcement was made this past Sunday during Microsoft’s keynote address during the opening of the Consumer Electronics Show. Other films to be included are Rocky and The Silence of the Lambs. Other television series also joining the line-up include “Desperate Housewives,” “Hannah Montana” and “Nightline.”

Microsoft added that many of the MGM movies will be available in high-definition as well as standard formats.

First launched in 2006 for films and TV, the Xbox Live Marketplace, now claimed to be the number one destination for HD downloads, has since signed content deals with Warner Bros., Paramount, Nickelodeon, Fox, Disney, New Line, Lionsgate, Miramax, MTV and Turner Broadcasting.

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James Bond Helps United Artists Turn 90

United Artists, the studio that gave birth to the James Bond film franchise, will celebrate its 90th birthday in 2009, and 007 will be playing a part in the festivities.

The New York Times today reports United Artists, recently revived by Tom Cruise and Paula Wagner, will launch a massive $20 million marketing campaign to celebrate the studio’s anniversary and to look towards its future. The 18-month campaign will encompass print, radio and the Internet (a website is online now), as well as a partnership with Panasonic.

Additionally, the studio will hold the United Artists Film Festival, which will tour 20 cities and screen assorted studio classics, including the very first James Bond film, 1962’s Dr. No.

United Artists Cinema Greats – Volume 1

“We want to reinforce and remind people of what a powerful film history and legacy a brand like United Artists has,” said Paula Wagner.

United Artists will also release a range of DVDs showcasing the studio’s most famous pictures, including an epic 90-title box set, certain to contain some of the early Bond films. Encased in frosted glass and weighing almost 30 pounds, the set will retail for US$869.98. For the mainstream consumer, four “Best of United Artists” gift sets were released in the U.S. this week; Volume 1 also features Dr. No (click here to order from Amazon.com).

Established in 1919 by Charles Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks, D.W. Griffith and Mary Pickford, United Artists produced a range of critically and commercially successful films throughout the mid-20th century. In 1961, the studio financed Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman to produce a film based on Ian Fleming’s Dr. No, which kick-started the James Bond cinematic legacy. Following the release of 1974’s The Man With The Golden Gun, Saltzman sold his stake in the 007 series to United Artists. Despite the fact MGM absorbed United Artists in the 1980s, who, in turn, were bought by Sony in 2004, the studio has remained public co-copyright holders for the series ever since.

Keep watching the new-look CommanderBond.net for the latest James Bond news.

Could Leo Roar Back to Life?

With the appointment of Harry Sloan as the new chairman and CEO of Sony-owned MGM, a curious aspect of the Sony-MGM deal has come to light that suggests the historic studio may have a second shot at independent life…if it chooses

According to Variety, since April MGM has existed as a privately held company whose primary function is to exploit a 4,000-title library and co-produce a small number of film and TV projects with new parent Sony Pictures Entertainment. MGM-owned movies are distributed through SPE.

However, a clause in the contract will allow MGM to become an independent distributor and cease its arrangement with Sony in April, if the company chooses.

Although MGM’s most lucrative business is in homevideo and TV, new CEO Sloan said that producing movies “is going to become increasingly important to us.” To that end, he plans on filling out the executive ranks with new hires, including production execs.

“Movies will run the full gamut of MGM having full ownership down to just distribution rights,” he said.

Should MGM exercise its rights to distribute the movies it produces, it probably would not effect next year’s Casino Royale, the 21st James Bond film which sees the debut of Daniel Craig as 007. The latest Bond is a co-production between SPE’s Colombia Pictures and MGM.

However, a new distribution deal could impact Bond 22 which is currently being developed by Bond scribes Neal Purvis and Robert Wade.

Sloan said that MGM would increasingly be in the business of new content and would “do a lot more than just remake UA and MGM titles.”

Sloan reports in his new post this week at MGM’s Century City headquarters, where 90% of the company has been consolidated.

To discuss this news visit this thread in the CBn forums, the largest James Bond forum on the internet.

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Has Time Warner Purchased MGM?

MAJOR UPDATE! Sept. 13, 2004:

Time Warner has pulled their bid for MGM and Sony Corp has agreed in principal to purchase the studio for $4.8 billion. Full details HERE.

James Bond may finally have a new boss. Defamer.com and Ain’t It Cool News are reporting that Time Warner has completed their purchase of MGM studios, home of Eon Productions and the James Bond film franchise. Both websites credit unnamed sources and caution that at this stage the news is just rumour, but it’s common knowledge that the two companies have been in talks for the past month and recently there have been indicators that a sale was imminent.

Variety and CNN are reporting that Sony Corp put in a last minute bid Thursday morning in a final attempt to buy the studio. In contrast to the reports on AICN and Defamer, Variety is reporting that while the board met to consider the rival bids, it didn’t reach a decision on either offer.

If news of the sale proves to be true, does this mean production on Bond 21, which has been delayed because of the extended sale talks, is now free to move ahead? Will Eon finally be free to make official announcements regarding a director and who will play 007? Or will Bond’s new boss want to tinker a bit under the hood before letting this prized acquisition leave the showroom floor?

Stay tuned.

To discuss this news visit the CBn forums.
Thanks to Spoon and Goldfinger007 for the tip

Related articles:

• USA Today: “Sony-led group near purchase of MGM studio”
• Forbes: “MGM Deal Draws Near”
• MGM Postpones Meeting, Sale Talks Heat Up
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USA Today: "Sony-led group near purchase of MGM studio"

NEW YORK – After a series of near misses, a Sony-led consortium is in the final stages of acquiring Hollywood film studio Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer for $5 billion, people with direct knowledge of the talks say.

The Japanese electronics and media giant and private equity partners plan to pay $13 for each share of MGM plus the assumption of debt. The parties expect to announce the deal before MGM’s annual meeting on June 29. MGM shares closed Thursday at $12.17, off 8 cents.

The sale of MGM would mark another milestone for 87-year-old billionaire Kirk Kerkorian, who owns 75% of the last major independent film studio. Earlier this week, Kerkorian placed a huge bet on the future of the Las Vegas hotel and gaming industry by sealing a deal to buy Mandalay Resort Group for $4.8 billion.

Kerkorian has seen the fortunes of MGM revive in recent years and feels it is an opportune time to cash out. MGM CEO Alex Yemenidjian has embraced a strategy of making low-cost movies that spawn low-cost sequels, such as the Barbershop and Jeepers Creepers films. MGM’s recent offerings include art house hit Pieces of April and a sequel to Agent Cody Banks.

Howard Stringer, head of Sony’s U.S. business, is eager to expand his entertainment assets by buying MGM’s coveted 4,000-plus film library, which includes the Pink Panther and Rocky franchises, as well as Annie Hall, Midnight Cowboy and West Side Story.

Sony held preliminary talks with MGM two years ago but failed to agree on price. Time Warner and NBC Universal have also expressed interest, but neither media company has made a bid for the 80-year-old studio, best known for its roaring lion logo and James Bond films. Time Warner CEO Richard Parsons has told friends he regards the $5 billion price tag as excessive.

But Paul Kim, media analyst for Tradition Asiel Securities, believes Parsons should take a run at MGM. “Cable networks, cable systems and libraries are the three things that Parsons would like to buy,” Kim says.

NBC Universal CEO Bob Wright has also made overtures to MGM bankers Goldman Sachs. But Wright is still digesting the recent merger of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment into the world’s sixth-largest media company.

Barring a last-minute counter bid, Sony and partners Texas Pacific Group and Providence Capital would provide $1.5 billion in equity financing. Additionally, Sony banker Credit Suisse First Boston would provide $3.5 billion of debt financing. CSFB’s DLJ Merchant Banking might also chip in some cash.

MGM, NBC and Time Warner declined comment Thursday. Sony did not return calls for comment.

By Thor Valdmanis and Michael McCarthy, USA TODAY

Related articles:

• Forbes: “MGM Deal Draws Near”
• MGM Postpones Meeting, Sale Talks Heat Up
• Reuters: Sony And Partners Go After MGM

To discuss this news visit this thread in the CBn forums.