After the longest gap between Bond films in years, plans are said to be back on with development resuming for a release date of November 2012. The financial problems of MGM has caused the delays but the recent filing of bankruptcy has allowed the studio to move forward. With confirmation of production beginning on Peter Jackson‘s The Hobbit, the news has seemingly kick-started investors with other tent-pole productions now on the agenda.
MGM will now own half of the rights to the next James Bond with an equal partner set to foot the bill on the production costs, which would likely be Paramount or Sony who distributed the last two. Future ownership of the Bond franchise will then revert back to MGM with a follow up pattern established to ensure that a new Bond flick is released every two years.
There has been some speculation that the current schedule of Daniel Craig may jeopardize his participation, or that the search would be on once again for a new Bond. However this is not the case with Craig being the most popular Bond in years not to mention an actor who’s also versatile and in high demand.
I’m ready and willing, and if I get the call, I’ll be there.
He’s also part of the ongoing Bond video games with his likeness on the new Goldeneye FPS Wii game as well as Blood Stone, so he’s still in high demand as Bond for now.
Craig recently wrapped production on the sci-fi western flick Cowboys and Aliens with Ironman director Jon Favreau alongside acting legend Harrison Ford and is currently shooting David Fincher’s remake of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
Academy Award winning director Sam Mendes is said to be interested in helming the next project and those plans are likely still in place for now with regular Bond duo Neal Purvis and Robert Wade expected to write the screenplay.
The biggest bit of gossip is that techno rock diva Lady Gaga may be supplying the title track for the film which is still untitled. The word is that the ‘Bond Bosses” are big fans and would love the high profile, singer songwriter to lend her talents to the theme song in a way that would be a testament to past female vocalists such as Shirley Bassey.
GaGa has the look as well as the voice to tackle a thundering ballad. She’s a great songwriter too. This is perfect on every level.
That’s the lowdown for now, until more production details emerge enjoy this news shaken, but not stirred.
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