James Bond’s Future Looks Uncertain
By Krystal Clark
None of us should be surprised by the latest bombshell to pop up from the MGM camp. The studio has been in a financial rut for the past year, was officially put up for sale, and now all of its coveted franchises have been put in danger. The most lucrative property they have in their arsenal is Ian Fleming’s James Bond series, and according to Mi6 (via Total Film) it’s on shaky ground.
One of the producers over at EON Productions (who releases the Bond films through MGM) Michael G. Wilson, recently spoke about the status of the 23rd Bond film, and he admitted that the future looked grim. There’s been a dark cloud over Bond and The Hobbit for quite some time, but the studio’s spokespeople denied any serious trouble. This was obviously some sort of smoke screen to keep the public’s curiosity at bay, because Wilson says they don’t know what the hell’s going on.
“Well, our timeline’s a little up in the air what with the situation at MGM, so we have to be flexible. We just don’t know enough about the situation to comment, but we know it’s uncertain.I think we’re at the stage where a lot of ideas are floating around that sound very good, but whether they make the final cut, who knows?,” said Wilson.
This type of attitude towards a franchise that’s spanned well over 40 years is scary. If MGM can’t keep Bond under control, what makes people think The Hobbit is in safe hands? Whoever decides to purchase the studio should make it their business to green light Bond 23 immediately so they can start generating some income, which will hopefully get the studio and The Hobbit on the right track.
How long do you think it will take to produce another Bond movie?
Monday, January 4, 2010 8:03PM
Except that if MGM did as you said and produced high-grade stuff, they’d still be near bankruptcy anyway. MGM has to find a way to be profitable again, and high art only won’t cut it.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010 8:30AM
It's time to do what Daniel Craig himself said should be done. The next Bond should be played by talented black actor. I for think that Chewitel Ejiofor is the perfect choice.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010 1:32AM
Someone's doing there job very very badly, if guaranteed hits like Bond and Hobbit are threatened. Maybe it's time to look at where the money is being wasted? Perhaps a few less remakes and common denominator trash? There is no way with cinema being more popular then ever in history that MGM should fail like this.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010 3:36PM
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Monday, April 19, 2010 5:36PM
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