David G. Wilson of Eon Productions Bond 23 update

[Blowfeld]

IGN exclusive
Bond 23 Update
Exclusive: Bond producer tells us when we can expect 007's next mission.
UK, October 7, 2010

IGN spoke to David G. Wilson of Eon Productions this morning about the forthcoming Blood Stone and Goldeneye games, but while we had him sat down, we couldn't resist asking him about the state-of-play on the next Bond movie.

Following the financial crisis at MGM, Bond 23 was put on hold indefinitely, and Wilson reports that little has changed in recent weeks. "We're in a holding pattern to see what happens with the studio" he explained. "We support them - we've had a long relationship for a long time and it's really important for us to get going again. They just have to sort out their financial issues."

When pressed for a start date, Wilson revealed "They have a plan going forward, and hopefully everything will go to plan and we hope to be in a position next year to start the film again."

And as for a script, it seems that the story has gone untouched for a while, with the producer admitting "The script's been in development for some time. We often start the scripts about a year before pre-production has begun. So the script has been in development but it's been halted for the time being."

Finally, Wilson put to bed recent speculation about director Sam Mendes' participation, adding "Yes, he's very excited to do this film - and it's a matter of timing too. He's a hot director, and there's a danger he would have to go and work on something else so we have to be patient and optimistic."

So it sounds like Bond 23 is slowly but surely coming together, with Mendes at the helm for the foreseeable future.

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[Blowfeld]

To me being a layman it sounds like the plan he is talking about is MGM and Spyglass not his Father and Aunt. Does not seem like much else has changed. Althou I think Mendes seems like he is becoming a bigger mistake and more of a liability. Sam is such a hot commodity his current project had the breaks put on it by the people behind it. Not a vote of confidence.

[Mazer Rackham]

Nothing to see here. Overly optimistic assessment that the middle of 2011 might see them getting a go from MGM's new owners. The Hobbit comes first, then a dozen other smaller movies. Even if Bond 23 gets the perfect storm the middle of 2012 is the earliest production might start. When the go for Bond 23 finally comes down they will re-access if they want to continue with Craig or do the sure fire solution recast and take series another direction. All of this ignores the possible conflicts of personalities between Eon and MGM likely to happen as new leadership at MGM emerges.

[Bond's ghost]

"start the film again" not start filming Long ways off

[katied]

This news will cause a brief bit of excitement at the fan boards..until they realize what Wilson is actually saying!

[Blowfeld]

Some online sources are circulating a quote from Daniel about wanting to get back to Bond. All they say is it was from a recent interview and they are treating it as news. Far as I can tell it is word per word identical to a statement Daniel made months ago, after a quick search I do not know if it is actually recent or recycled.

“Unless MGM can sort themselves out, we can’t make a movie. It’s hard to talk about things that aren’t happening. There will be more to say when things are happening. I’m really keen to get going, it’s as simple as that. And I’m hoping that, in a while, we will…I felt as if we were just getting going and that we’d get the chance to make a couple more. I’d like fulfill the circle with the story. But, yes, there is nothing really to say until whoever gets that house [at MGM] in order. There’s no chance of getting it made until those things are taken care of…I love playing Bond — I don’t want to be away from it for too long.”

[katied]

If David G. Wilson really did recycle something Craig said... and

[Blowfeld]

If David G. Wilson really did recycle something Craig said... and

No. Sorry. My mistake. It was a 'new' story making the rounds, I get searches on Bond sent to me everyday. I put it with DGW thread because it was in a way an update I probably shouldn't have since as far as I know it has nothing to do with DGW.

[katied]

DGW is probably next in line to run EON. Let's hope he has a good head on his shoulders, Though knowing Babs she'll run EON 'til the last.

[Captain Nash]

Why is all the anger with EON generally directed at Barbara Broccoli?
Sure she has obviously made some decisions that have left some fans feeling cheated.
Though if anyone has watched the making of TLD doco on the dvd of TLD, then you'll see that MGW discusses the concept of a reboot for TLD. Though the idea was scrapped by Cubby.
After Cubby's passing, is it not conceivable that the reboot idea came from MGW more than Babs ?
It's all very well saying get rid of them both, but you then run into a bigger risk than before. Some douchebag who thinks they know Bond comes and stuffs the whole thing up. At least with the EON we've got, there's a chance that change will come (and it will, of that I'm certain) and the anti-Craig fans can feel happy that their idea of Bond has returned. Someday.
Were EON so bad during the Brosnan films, or just the Craig entries?
Obviously Cubby wasn't going to live forever, and despite the oft seen claims that Babs received the Bond series without working for it, she has worked closely on all the films from FYEO onwards. I think she's earned just a little respect that she's capable of making a Bond film.

[Kristatos]

Were EON so bad during the Brosnan films, or just the Craig entries?

Looking back with hindsight, the Craig era is the fruit of seeds that were planted during the Brosnan films. The "sexist, misogynist dinosaur" speech in GE marked the beginning of a hectoring, politically correct tone; whilst the odd choice of Michael Apted to direct TWINE shows their "if we hire a serious drama director, we'll get a more character-driven Bond film" mentality that gave us Marc Forster and now Sam Mendes as Bond directors.

Then there's the stuff that didn't make it onto the screen. Babs' choice of Sean Bean for Bond (rather than Alec Trevelyan) shows her inability to distinguish between a Bond actor and a Bond villain, whilst the mercifully deleted line from TWINE about how the world isn't full of madmen hidden in volcano lairs any more shows post-Cubby EON's sneering contempt for the series' history.

[oscartheman]

With out Babs there is no Craig period.With out her there would still be James Bond movies instead of bland action movies xeroxing Jason Bourne and other American spys.

[katied]

With out Babs there is no Craig period.With out her there would still be James Bond movies instead of bland action movies xeroxing Jason Bourne and other American spys.

This. It's amazing to me that Michael G. Wilson isn't running the business. Babs sweet talked Daddy into letting her run the business before he died.