The next James Bond sequel, tentatively titled Bond 23, has been put on hold due to MGM’s financial troubles, according to Variety. EON Productions heads Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli announced Monday that the next Daniel Craig 007 installment was facing a foe as nasty as Dr. No or Scaramanga: cash woes. “Due to the continuing uncertainty surrounding the future of MGM and the failure to close a sale of the studio, we have suspended development on Bond 23 indefinitely,” the pair said in a statement. “We do not know when development will resume and do not have a date for the release of Bond 23.” The project did not yet have a director attached, but a trio of writers had reportedly been working on a script and Craig had informed fans last fall that the film would start shooting late this year. MGM has been in the process of sorting out its future with its debt holders. MGM put itself up for sale in November. The studio’s only release this year, Hot Tub Time Machine, has grossed $42.4 million to date.
Apr 19
2010
06:38 PM ET
Next James Bond movie postponed indefinitely
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Easily the most over rated franchise in movie history.
Maybe, but it’s still fantastic.
Yeah there’s been some stinkers (most of Roger Moore’s stuff) but you could argue that there’s been more good James Bond movies than there’s been good Star Trek movies.
what are you talking about? Roger did the most bond films of all the bond actors, and by far is the best. Not to mention he himself is nothing short of a class act.
What are you smoking? Roger Moore did most of the crappiest bond movies. Go see for your eyes only. I have seen all the bond movies many times and I cringe whenever I see him dressed as a clown in Octopussy. Moonraker was just plain stupid. I don’t think he is the worst but he is very far from being the best. My personal order. Connery>Craig>Brosnan>>Moore>Dalton>Lazenby
the fact that you have Lazenby last makes me question your credibility. His one was as good as any one of the other guys.
“The Spy Who Loved Me,” Great! “Octopussy, The Spy who Loved Me,” and “Live and Let Die,” fun! All the other Roger Moores, eh! I agree with Dalton and Lazenby as the bottom two. Ironically, George Lazenby quit the series volountarily, one was enough for him and for us fans! Connery is the best but he still did one too many (Diamonds are Forever) great story, but Connery was overwight and graying.
Sorry for mentioning “TSWLM” twice, I met “For Your Eyes Only” in the fun category. Coffee wore off as I was typing.
“For Your Eyes Only” is one of the best! Certainly the best of the Moore films.
Roger Moore was the best bond yet. For Your Eyes Only is actually my favorite bond film of all time, and I don’t think that will ever change. I consider it a classic. I prefer a good story line and acting vs. constant action and CGI. (I know what you’re thinking – no, I’m not old, I’m 28 years old and an EE too – so I can still appreciate all of the fancy new cinematography out there. It’s just that James Bond getting meaner, nastier and more violent with CGI is not necessarily the best James Bond film out there).
That would be Star Wars.
How is a franchise that’s lasted AND remained relevant for 45 years, grossed BILLIONS of dollars, coined numerous catch-phases, and launched a variety of careers “overrated”?
Poor quality?
(Which is actually not what I think about the Bond franchise, but I hate posts that blindly champion commercial success as quality)
Agreed Kevin. It’s all about the coin, not the art. James Bond movies are great shows, that’s all. They are escapist entertainment. No one in his/her right mind would call any one Best Picture material. I judge Bond Films purely on the entertainment value.
I don’t think anyone’s claiming that the Bond franchise is, or has ever been, great art. It is, as you say, great shows. Sometimes it’s just about entertainment, although there have been clever moments in some of the movies.
@TK – please stop confusing your opinion with reality.
Maybe, but I find it fascinating to watch. The franchise has been around for so long that if you sit down to a Bond marathon you can literally see the evolution of the action genre over the past 40 years or so.
I think I’d rate Lazenby over Moore– maybe because his one movie had the best plot.
bond is genius pop art. seductive lone raw killer in elegant suits. like dracula for victorians. but with political shananigans and action thrown in.
Haha, most overrated movie series ever huh? That’s why it’s over 40 years old and had stars like Sean Connery, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig. Super intelligent statement.
Overrated? The twilight series of overrated. Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber are overrated. JAMES BOND, is not overrated.
Agree, Mikey. I’m sad too. I love Daniel Craig as Bond and think Casino Royale rocked. I hope they don’t wait years until the next Bond so Daniel can still play him!
I thought Sam Mendes was recently contracted to direct the 23rd film.
Because of MGM’s problems, The Hobbit has been put on hold too.
This is a shame. Plenty of awful movies get enough cash to make it to the finish line. And no matter your opinions on the entire franchise, the last two Bond films have been great.
I know it isn’t reality but you would think a franchise like Bond could bank it’s earnings to fund the future movies.
BOOO! This sucks! How many other movies are put on hold too? Don’t tell me The Hobbit is one of them!
Yup THE HOBBIT is also on hold. Peter Jackson just confirmed that in an interview on another site. They haven’t even begun casting yet becuase MGM can’t green light the film until it solves its cash problems.
No no no no no no no no no no no no no no!!! I’m sorry, Bond-lovers, I really don’t care about that franchise, but I have been looking forward to The Hobbit SO much. Sigh…it’ll happen someday, I guess.
Why? If he butchers The Hobbit the way he butchered The Two Towers and The Return of the King, it wont be worth seeing anyway.
DB, he made all three at the same time. How did he butcher the last two?
DAMMITT!!!!!
MGM must be bleeding badly if they have to postpone one of the only films they have that’s a surefire moneymaker. Is the studio on the verge of folding?
Noooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!
Please don’t tell me that about “The Hobbit”!!! I’ve been looking forward to that for years.
Maybe MGM should look into some better scripts if they want to make some money. Hot Time Machine is not one of them.
Good. The last one sucked big time.
Bring back Halle Berry! And how about lightening up the show? Not so darn dark and brooding, but then no Roger Mooreish camp.
God no. Ban Halle Berry from getting anywhere near the set. She was awful.
Weren’t they supposed to spin her character off into her own franchise or at least one movie?
They could always try the old Steve Martin SNL Bond parody, “Bullets Aren’t Cheap”, featuring arch foe GoldSting.
The pretzels are no longer complimentary.
Maybe MGM could release some new shirtless photos of Daniel Craig. I’d be happy with that!
I second this motion!