Late last week, MGM and Barbara Broccoli announced November 9, 2012 as the release date for the next James Bond movie, tentatively dubbed BOND 23. The film, currently in pre-production will begin production in various locations later this year. Sam Mendes, a Hollywood powerhouse, is set to direct, according to Heat Vision. The script was written by Neal Purvis, Robert Wade and John Logan. The announcement further stated Daniel Craig will return as Bond.
Fans of OUTTAKES WITH FIORE and regular readers of my reviews and reports, and you are legion, immediately queried why I didn’t have the story posted. Ah, fear not dear reader, for there is always more to the story than what appears in PR staged announcements. There are two major battles being waged over BOND 23. One appears over, while the other is just beginning. Here, then, is the low down behind BOND 23.
BATTLEOF THE BONDS
The first battle staged over BOND 23 had to do with its star, Daniel Craig. There was a concerted effort to oust Craig as Bond and insert Clive Owen. Owen has coveted the role for some time and was on the original short list of possible Bonds before Craig was selected. Craig fell out of favor with Broccoli and MGM with two ill timed incidents. The first was a comment made after CASINO ROYALE in which he suggested the time was right for Bond to explore gay relationships. The remark was quelled quickly and Craig sequestered before his foot could fit any further in his mouth. The second happened after QUANTUM OF SOLACE, when Craig was captured in a compromising position and the photo was published in the National Enquirer. Again, the PR machine for the Bond franchise swung into full gear and suppressed any PR fallout. For further details of these events check the daily posts on the official OUTTAKES WITH FIORE Facebook page.
This battle appears over, though Craig may have lost the Bond war. After the success of CASINO ROYALE, MGM signed Craig to a two picture contract extension. To dump Craig now would have cost the financially strapped MGM an unacceptable amount in a buyout. BOND 23 keeps Craig as Bond, the majority of the public unaware of the PR snafus and the cost reasonable. Pundits within MGM are alluding to this being Craig’s swan song however, and Owen as the front runner for his replacement in BOND 24. Craig has already pulled a major CYA by signing up to play Mikael Blomkvist, the intrepid amateur detective and magazine owner from Stieg Larsson's "Millennium Trilogy" that commences with THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO. Due to the delay caused by keeping Craig for another film, Owen is said to be asking for a three picture commitment for Bond, something MGM may not want to do. So, while BOND 23 is now set, all the hoopla may commence again for BOND 24.
BATTLEOF THE DISTRIBUTORS
The only thing keeping MGM above water is the Bond franchise. It is arguably Hollywood’s most successful film series. Bigger in scope than the Craig - Owen battle is the one currently being waged between Paramount and Sony. Both companies want the distribution rights to Bond. The two Craig films were distributed by Sony (through the Columbia division) and the company and its head Amy Pascal have close ties with Barbara Broccoli. Naturally, one would think they have the leg up on the deal. However, The Hollywood Reporter is claiming the series may shift to Paramount due to a “close relationship between Paramount’s top brass and new MGM Cochairmen Gary Barber and Roger Birnbaum.” Sources say Barber and Birnbaum have already convinced Broccoli to jump ship and go with Paramount.
Speculation is a new deal with Paramount could be a win/win situation for both companies. Paramount is still livid over having lost the Marvel Comics franchise. They were ousted when Disney bought out Marvel. Paramount has two more films under contract, the upcoming THOR and CAPTAIN AMERICA. Disney takes over and Paramount loses THE AVENGERS and IRON MAN 3, both expected to be lucrative ventures. Getting Bond will give Paramount another tent pole franchise that could soften the blow of losing Marvel.
Meanwhile, MGM, having financial problems the past few years, is keen on Paramount’s ability to promote films, especially on a global market basis. In addition, MGM is seeking to partner with Paramount on a few of the projects it currently has in its stable. The extra muscle would help MGM flex a bit more in La-La Land.
Will Sony sweeten its deal to keep the Bond franchise? Will Paramount be able to help drag MGM out of the red, even though it has a reputation for being ‘thrifty’? Will Owen be able to capture the coveted Bond role for Bond 24? The intrigue behind the scenes may be more convoluted than the plot for Bond 23.
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