Bond going off track in India?

[Blowfeld]

TNN Aug 22, 2011, 12.00pm IST
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Sam Mendes|
Daniel Craig

There's a cloud over director Sam Mendes shooting " Bond 23" with Daniel Craig in India next year as the railways have not yet given permission to block the tracks in Ahmedabad and Goa for the filming.

There's talk of shifting the shoot to South Africa and when TOI brought this to the notice of railway minister Dinesh Trivedi, he promised to look into the matter.

Pravesh Sahni of India Take One Productions, which is looking after the Indian leg of the shooting, said, "This could be one of the biggest Hollywood movies shot in our country. Trains are the backbone of the film. We'll pay for the shooting and also mention Indian Railways in the credit line. The shooting was supposed to happen in October-November. Now, we've postponed it to January-February. For the past three months, we've been trying to get things in order. The film has Daniel Craig doing stunts on a freight train. While the Indian Railways has given us permission to shoot, I need to meet someone and explain how important it is for us to block two tracks for eight hours a day over five to six days. For the past 15 days, I've been trying to get someone to hear me out. South African authorities are waiting to provide everything that is required to support this movie. If we can't get this cooperation from India, the film will no longer be shot here."

But, isn't blocking tracks a difficult proposition for five to six days? "One can always divert trains if one is convinced about the importance of shooting this international movie in India. We shot "Mission: Impossible 2" in Mumbai and the roads had to be blocked because we couldn't have shot stunts with a car speeding down the road at 180 km/hr amidst regular traffic," Sahni said.

When CT got in touch with Trivedi, he said, "I've no idea about this as nobody has approached me. Unless I know the details, I can't comment. But I would certainly like to help. I can't jeopardize the safety of passengers. If it's a win-win situation for both the production unit and the railways, I am willing to help."

[Blowfeld]

Interesting. No clue if it is true so take it with a grain of salt.

One site added this, it is amazing how little is going on officially /unofficially.

Here’s what we know so far about Bond 23: not a whole lot. Mendes is directing and Daniel Craig will be back as Bond, with Dame Judi Dench returning as Bond’s boss, “M.”

Beyond that there have been rumors of varying degrees of believability, with some of the most likely speculation pointing to a female supporting role being snagged by actress Naomie Harris (possibly playing Moneypenny), and Ralph Fiennes and Javier Bardem possibly playing a mastermind villain and ruthless hitman villain, respectively.

[bjmdds]

"Trains are the backbone of the film." Is this Under Seige II: Dark Territory, with Seagal all over? "The film has Daniel Craig doing stunts on a freight train." As what, a hobo?

[Thunderpussy]

after quantum tried to increase the water rates in bolivia, mabey in india they are trying to control the world market for train axel grease.
as a criminal organisation, they're not really jn the spectre league

[bjmdds]

The want to corner the curry market.

[Omega]

"Trains are the backbone of the film." Is this Under Seige II: Dark Territory, with Seagal all over? "The film has Daniel Craig doing stunts on a freight train." As what, a hobo?

Where is FBF and his Under Siege 2 pic?
The idea of a train fight is almost over done it would take a lot to make it interesting, but what I actually think of is all those people killed on trains over there through acts of terror and over crowding mixed with poor maintenance.

[Kristatos]

Apparently, the Times of India always says that every new Bond film is going to be shot in India, so I don't know what to make of this. Boy who cried wolf and all that.

[Blowfeld]

Apparently, the Times of India always says that every new Bond film is going to be shot in India, so I don't know what to make of this. Boy who cried wolf and all that.

Supposedly there was quote from Daniel saying India was on the menu. Althou it was another Indian paper reporting it. I was almost certain there is another interview where he said Africa, take it for what it is worth.

Bond will be shot in India
Robin Bansal, Hindustan Times
New Delhi, July 30, 2011
There is no secret James Bond can’t keep; but actor Daniel Craig spills the beans on the elusive spy’s plans. India, says Craig, is on Bond’s hit list in the 23rd installment of the franchise, tentatively called Bond 23. “There is definitely a plan to do that (shoot Bond 23 in India).
It’s premature to talk about it as of now. I don’t want to make any public announcement, but there is definitely a plan,” says 43-year-old Craig, in his stiff upper lip British accent, as we caught up with him in Mexico during the promotion of his upcoming flick, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. But, there’s one secret Craig is trying hard to keep and that’s his personal life. The actor tied the knot with Hollywood star Rachel Weisz, 41, in New York, and the couple has avoided the limelight since. Mention the paparazzi and his expression becomes stern. “Life is great; it feels good to have a partner like Rachel. But it’s just that as long as I can keep my private life private, I’m all good with it,” he says.

Craig is currently riding high on the success of his latest film Cowboys & Aliens and says he expects it to do well in India. “My expectations from the Indian audiences are high. I think the audiences there are fond of the action genre,” he says.

He hasn’t seen any Bollywood films, but says as a huge fan of action films, he can’t wait to get in on the thrill. “I have heard a lot about Ghajini (2008) and Dabangg (2010) and would love to watch them whenever I get a chance,” says Craig.

He’s not sure when that will be, but he does let on that filming for Bond 23 will start at the end of the year. “The next Bond will start in October or November. I’m really excited about the script, it’s fantastic,” he says. Craig became a household name after his debut as Bond in Casino Royale (2006), a fact he accepts with modesty. “I was glad to know that Bond fans accepted me after Pierce Brosnan, who was incredible as James Bond,” he says.

More on Bond
Daniel Wroughton Craig
Age: 43
Debut: The Power of One (1992)
Other projects: Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, Munich, Defiance
Latest flick: Cowboys & Aliens
Future projects: Dream House, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Adventures of Tintin: Secret of the Unicorn, Bond 23
Spouse: Rachel Weisz
Children: Daughter Ella Craig (18, with Scottish actor Fiona Loudon)

Inputs by Serena Menon

[bjmdds]

"Trains are the backbone of the film." Is this Under Seige II: Dark Territory, with Seagal all over? "The film has Daniel Craig doing stunts on a freight train." As what, a hobo?

Where is FBF and his Under Siege 2 pic?
The idea of a train fight is almost over done it would take a lot to make it interesting, but what I actually think of is all those people killed on trains over there through acts of terror and over crowding mixed with poor maintenance.

Correct. FBF, do your stuff.

[Blowfeld]

More updates: Imports parts will be in bold.

James Bond filming stalls again over safety wrangle with Indian authorities

Read more: http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/film/201 ... -23372003/

FILMING of the next James Bond movie may be delayed until next year in a new production blow.

It had already been on hold throughout last year because of film studio MGM’s financial troubles.

Now a health and safety dispute in India, where key stunt scenes were due to be shot, has forced another halt.


Production of the latest spy instalment, known by the working title Bond 23, was due to begin this autumn and 007 actor Daniel Craig was supposed to jet out to the set in India with other stars soon.

But a wrangle with authorities there over permission to film Craig, 43, in high-speed railway stunts has left director Sam Mendes hunting alternative locations. Filming could be moved to South Africa, where producers already have permission to shoot some scenes, but this may not be until January.

A production insider said: “It has been one thing after another. The scenes are very ambitious and we’re all just desperate to get started but there have been obstacles at every stage.” India’s railways minister Dinesh Trivedi has now pledged to “look into the matter”. But he added: “I can’t jeopardize the safety of passengers.”

Studio executives had confirmed a release date of October 26 next year for the film, which is due to star Dame Judi Dench, 76, again as MI6 chief M, plus Ralph Fiennes, 48, and Spaniard Javier Bardem, 42,

It is not yet known whether the latest problems to hit filming of the movie will force bosses to put the date back.

A spokesperson for James Bond production company Eon Productions declined to comment on the delays.

Far as I am aware there is no official confirmation of co-stars

[Blowfeld]

Lights, camera, action at Sabarmati with 007
Ankur Jain, TNN | Aug 27, 2011, 01.24AM ISTAnkur Jain, TNN | Aug 27, 2011, 01.24AM IST
AHMEDABAD: He has a collection of the most lethal and curvaceous cars, deadliest weapons and gorgeous gadgets. If nobody shouts 'cut', British secret agent 007 will be doing an action scene right outside Gandhi's Sabarmati ashram.

The production team is proposing to shoot a chase scene for the 23rd James Bond film, 'Bond 23' featuring Daniel Craig as the legendary British secret agent and Judi Dench as 'M', in Ahmedabad. They have identified the Sabarmati railway yard for stunts on a freight train and one of Ahmedabad's roads for a car chase scene for the $135 million Hollywood film. Bond 23's production team, including director Sam Mendes and production assistants, had visited Ahmedabad two months back.

Pravesh Sahni of India Take One Productions, which is handling the Indian leg of the Bond 23 shoot, told TOI, "We preferred Ahmedabad over Goa and Mumbai as for car chasing sequence the roads were apt and the Gujarat government promised to extend all support in the first meeting itself. For permission to shoot an action sequence on a train at Sabarmati railway yard we are meeting Union railways minister Dinesh Trivedi on Monday."

Senior western railways officials at Ahmedabad said that a team of Hollywood filmmakers have come to Ahmedabad twice in the last two months and visited the Sabarmati railway yard.

India Take One Productions officials said that they have got the green light to shoot at Sabarmati but the scene needs stopping the freight trains on the busy track for eight hours a day for more than five days. Officials said that the shooting was supposed to happen in October-November this year but it has been put off till January-February as permission from the railway ministry is taking time. The film is slated for a late 2012 release.

However, talks are doing rounds that with permission taking time the film's crew travelled to South Africa scouting for alternative locations to shoot.

"We already have permission from Gujarat government to shoot chase sequences on road and are hopeful that will get a go-ahead will railways ministry as well. 'Bond 23' is an important project for India which is attracting Hollywood filmmakers and we are doing everything to put things in place," added Sahni.

[Blowfeld]

Bond coming? Only Trivedi can tell
SANJAY MANDAL

Calcutta, Aug. 26: Whether Daniel Craig will do his daring 007 stunts on the roofs of running trains and tracks in India will be decided by a Bond admirer in Rail Bhavan.

Dinesh Trivedi, the railway minister from Calcutta who confessed he likes watching 007 movies, will meet the film team that wants to shoot the next James Bond film in the country.

Where? The crew won’t spell it out, but the buzz is the shooting may be in Goa or near Ahmedabad.

The meeting with Trivedi is scheduled for Monday.

“I received a request from the unit members today and have called them for a meeting on Monday. I will be pro-active to sort out the problem,” Trivedi told The Telegraph from New Delhi.

“I’ll have to find out about the problems. It will be solved but I’ll ensure that passenger safety is not compromised,” he said. “We all love Bond movies and it’ll be good publicity for India and the Indian Railways,” the minister added.

Shooting for the Sam Mendes-directed Bond 23 — that is the working title for the film — could not take off as the railways held back permission for stunts on running trains, citing safety as a reason. A film unit source said the team at one time was planning to shift the location to South Africa.

Rail safety, though, was not the only problem that held back Bond’s second coming to the country. Bond 23 was on hold all of last year because of MGM’s financial troubles.

The only Bond film to be shot in India was Octopussy in 1982 with Roger Moore in the lead. Most of scenes shot in India were in Udaipur, Rajasthan.

A representative for the Bond 23 unit said the team was optimistic about the meeting with Trivedi. “The initial talks with the minister were satisfactory and he seemed keen to remove the bottlenecks,” he said. The shooting is now planned for January-February next year. “Once things are finalised, Daniel Craig would be in India for the shooting,” he revealed.

“We’ll be able to plan things once the ministry gives us the go-ahead. We expect things to get rolling by the middle of next week,” the representative said. After Trivedi’s intervention, things looked positive, he admitted.

Craig, though, would not be the first Bond to do train stunts. Roger Moore, in his first film as Bond, battled a one-armed goon called Tee Hee Johnson in Live and Let Die. The train sequence was shot in New Orleans.

But Indians don’t have to look to Bond to get an adrenaline rush from dare-devil acts on roofs of expresses. Shah Rukh Khan danced to Chaiyya Chaiyya (Dil Se), standing on the roof of a train.
Top

[Blowfeld]

India said no to the Bond shooting 'plan', shutting down the busiest section as I understand it (Sweeney or somebody can correct me) I almost can not believe their arrogance. It would be interrupting the lives and livelihood of millions of people.... so they can shoot a train stunt? In this case use CGI.

Track problem for Bond shoot
OUR BUREAU

Daniel Craig

Calcutta, Aug. 29: Daniel Craig may not after all get to Bond with Sabarmati.

Despite co-operation from the railway ministry, the Sam Mendes-directed Bond 23 — the working title for the next James Bond film — may have to be rerouted from Sabarmati to a not-so-busy train line.

Team Bond needs to shoot seven to eight hours a day for seven days on a railway track. Something that wasn’t possible without hampering the Western Railway timetable in Ahmedabad when they got the permission back in July. Now, Agent 007 will have to do his chase and stunts on a lighter route elsewhere in India.

At a meeting between railway minister Dinesh Trivedi and shooting crew representatives today, Team Bond was asked to submit a shooting plan in the next couple of days. “Once we get the details, we will recommend an alternative route,” said a ministry official. “They want to shoot in Gujarat, Mumbai and Goa with the train sequence near Sabarmati. But it’s a busy route and trains can’t be stopped there for the shoot.”

The Indian line-producer for the MGM-produced film sounded confident about a solution. “The meeting with the railway ministry was very fruitful,” Parvesh Sahani of India Take One said. “Yes, the technical issues need to be sorted out but we are expecting some kind of a solution by the end of this week.”

In an email interview with The Telegraph, Craig had written: “We are working on the schedule for India and yes, it’s always exciting to play James Bond and this time is no different.”

[katied]

They've been denied permission but are trying to get it sorted out...this could become another MGM situation..where it becomes protracted.Not a good thing, obviously.

[Blowfeld]

Makers of the new James Bond film will have to scout for fresh locations if they want to shoot in India.

As reported in Mail Today earlier, director Sam Mendes is keen to shoot a vital action scene for the yet-to-be-titled Bond 23 project starring Daniel Craig in India. After location scouting, Mendes and company had settled on the Sabarmati railway line in Gujarat.

However, the railway ministry is hesitant to give a green signal for the shoot on the busy Sabarmati line, considering the film crew needs to shoot for around eight hours daily for about a week to complete their schedule.

Sources said such elaborate shooting schedules could throw western railway timetable in a tizzy.

After a meeting between railway minister Dinesh Trivedi and the film's representatives on Monday, it was decided that the unit of Bond 23 would present a fresh shooting schedule by this weekend.

Sources at the ministry said that once the film's representatives submit a fresh schedule, they would suggest a substitute option for a location.

"Trains can't be cancelled to facilitate shooting on the busy line along Gujarat, Mumbai and Goa," a ministry source said.

"The idea now is to shift the shooting to a railway line that is less busy.

Although the makers of the film obtained permission to shoot in India back in July, their choice - the Sabarmati line - isn't apparently feasible for railway traffic," a film industry source said.

The particular sequence meant to be shot in India involves heavy stunts and chase sequences along a railway track.

Meanwhile, Parvesh Sahani, the Indian line producer for the film, produced by Hollywood's MGM studio, has termed the meeting with the railway minister as "fruitful" indicating that they would find a way out to shoot the new Bond film in India.

Although shooting of foreign films have always courted controversies in India, it has remained a hotspot for filmmakers nonetheless.

In recent times, India has been a popular shooting location for Hollywood.

A few years ago Julia Roberts shot a major portion of her 2010 film, Eat Pray Love in and around Gurgaon. Last year, Slumdog Millionaire star Dev Patel and Judi Dench wrapped up a schedule of their upcoming film, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, in Jaipur.

Some time ago, Inception director Christopher Nolan had arrived in Rajasthan to shoot a few helicopter action sequences at Mehrangarh Fort for the sequel of The Dark Knight.

However, Nolan's shoot reportedly did not happen owing to technical snags.

The Bond franchise's affair with India is not new.

Way back in the eighties, Roger Moore playing James Bond arrived in Udaipur along with the entire cast and crew to shoot an important part of the 1983 flick, Octopussy, at the Monsoon Palace. The film also starred Indian actor Kabir Bedi.


Read more at: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/jame ... 49609.html

[Blowfeld]

They've been denied permission but are trying to get it sorted out...this could become another MGM situation..where it becomes protracted.Not a good thing, obviously.

I think the India Production team Eon or MGM hired is doing a heck of a lot of work to save the gig. To me it appears Eon and their director are really not prepared even at this late date.
It also disturbs me they are so disrespectful to the Indian people, if it were London where they were trying to film they would be a lot more considerate. This is not a rebuke of Daniel because I doubt he has anything to do with this idiocy and it would bother me regardless of the actor.

This time next years they need to have Bond 23 done and ready for David to score, and he is busy with the Olympics I'd imagine until the middle of August 2012

[katied]

EON are dragging their feet..at least MGM is trying to save Bond 23 from being a wreck. Broccowh*re sure doesn't want to.

[Blowfeld]

James Bond set to return to India

(AFP) – 3 hours ago

MUMBAI — James Bond is set to return to India for the first time in nearly 30 years, after the government granted filming permission for the latest installment of the fictional superspy's adventures.

The last time a Bond film was on location in India was for the 1983 hit "Octopussy", with Roger Moore in the lead role. It was shot in the northern states of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.

An official at the films division of India's information and broadcasting ministry told AFP permission to film the movie was granted on August 25.

And India's railways ministry confirmed the makers of the as-yet untitled movie, currently known as "Bond 23", had applied to shoot in Mumbai, Ahmedabad and the resort state of Goa.

Shooting is planned for February and March next year, said Chandralekha Mukherjee, railway executive director of publicity, rejecting reports that the ministry had denied permission to film a sequence on the network.

"There's no dispute. The only issue is that we can't obviously stop trains and inconvenience passengers," she said.

"The only issue now is to decide what are going to be the points where the shooting will happen. We're looking into it."

"Bond 23", to be directed by Oscar-winner Sam Mendes, is due for release in November 2012.

It is one of 22 films by foreign studios which have been cleared to shoot in India in 2010-11.

Others include a film adaptation of Mohsin Hamid's novel "The Reluctant Fundamentalist", "Trishna", British director Michael Winterbottom's version of Thomas Hardy's classic "Tess of the d'Urbervilles", and "Life of Pi".

"The Reluctant Fundamentalist", by US-based Indian director Mira Nair, is in pre-production, while "Trishna", starring "Slumdog Millionaire" actress Freida Pinto, is in post-production.

"Life of Pi", based on Yann Martel's novel, is due for release next year, according to the imdb.com web site.

[Blowfeld]

New James Bond movie may be shot in India


The next James Bond movie is likely to be partly shot in India, according to a pre-production company in Delhi.

Government permission has been granted to shoot in Mumbai (Bombay), Delhi and Goa, Rahul Soni of India Take One Productions told the BBC.

This would be the second Bond film to be shot in India - Octopussy, released in June 1983, was the first.

The 23rd Bond film, which has yet to be named, will be directed by Sam Mendes and released on 9 November 2012.

Daniel Craig - star of 2006's Casino Royale and 2008's Quantum of Solace - is returning as the titular spy.

There have also been reports that some of the shoot will take place in South Africa, and that filming would begin by the end of the year.

Production company EON could not confirm details of the shooting schedule or locations, telling the BBC that the film was "still in pre-production".
Rail sequence

India's media has reported that the film is expected to be shot in a crowded old market and a popular flea market in Delhi.

But Pravesh Sahni, one of the film's line producers, told the Delhi Times newspaper that Sam Mendes preferred to shoot in Mumbai over the capital, Delhi.

"They wanted to capture Indian streets to show crowded lanes," he was quoted as saying by the paper.

The paper also said that the producers had met Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi for permission to shoot a sequence on a train.

"I want Daniel Craig to be the brand ambassador for Indian Railways," Mr Trivedi is quoted as saying.

The 1983 Bond film Octopussy - the 13th in the series - was shot extensively at a palace in Udaipur in India, and starred Indian tennis star Vijay Amrithraj and actor Kabir Bedi.

A number of foreign films have been shot in India in recent years - the 2008 Oscar winning hit Slumdog Millionaire being the most prominent.

Others are Ang Lee's Life of Pi, and the Julia Roberts and Javier Bardem-starrer Eat, Pray, Love.

India Take One also assisted with pre-production on the forthcoming Mission Impossible film, starring Tom Cruise.

Michael Winterbottom's new film Trishna, starring Slumdog Millionaire actress Freida Pinto, was also shot in India earlier this year.

Based on Thomas Hardy's novel Tess of the d'Urbervilles, Trishna is set in contemporary India and tells the tragic love story between the son of a wealthy businessman and the daughter of a rickshaw driver.

[Blowfeld]

EON are dragging their feet..at least MGM is trying to save Bond 23 from being a wreck. Broccowh*re sure doesn't want to.

"Shooting is planned for February and March next year" It keeps slipping further and further behind. I'd like them to film in India althou it does not appear they have their act together enough to pull it off. The old market and crowed street sound like recipe for a problem.