BOND... JAMES BOND!

[MacGuffin]

i think any Die Hard is better than any James Bond.

I was thinking about proposing to molly until I read that.  

[molly]

then it's good you were warned on time :P

i haven't seen both of those (group of) movies for a long time, so maybe i'm wrong

[modage]

good news for people who like being screwed over!

MGM's recent 007 box set re-releases came to another end on January 19th when they were placed back on moratorium. However, plans are already in the works for a new collection. MI6, the world's leading online James Bond resource (and longtime friends to DavisDVD), have revealed that a new series of DVDs are in the pipeline for release in October 2005 - a mere month before the theatrical debut of Bond 21. As first reported back in July 2003, MGM commissioned LA-based Mi Casa Multimedia Inc. to remaster the first eight Bond films from mono to full Dolby Digital 5.1 using original music score session tapes and rejiggered sound effects (purists can relax: the original mono tracks will be available on the discs). And with that project fully underway, the studio is now setting its sights on all-new high definition digital transfers for all the films, from "Dr. No" through to "The World Is Not Enough." As for bonus materials, the discs promise new documentaries, exclusive cast and crew interviews, unseen footage from the productions and more rare materials yet to be determined. Whether or not any of the special features on the current editions will find their way onto the new discs is, as of yet, unknown. So if you are a Bond fanatic, you may want to pick up the current boxed set collections before remaining inventories are gone.

[MacGuffin]

Eon Comments on Recent James Bond Rumors

Empire Online talked to Eon Productions directly about the recent rumors that Pierce Brosnan wouldn't be back for James Bond 21, for which MGM has set an official release date on November 18, 2005. The Hollywood trades had all but crushed the rumors saying that Brosnan's production company Irish DreamTime has reupped its deal with MGM.

"For now, Pierce Brosnan is our James Bond. We haven't made any statement to say he isn't our James Bond," says Eon's Publicity Manger Catherine McCormack. "It's so difficult to comment when we don't have a script or even a start date."

Asked whether Brosnan signed a contract for the next film, she added, "He signed an initial three contract deal with us and from then on it's on a film by film basis. So he hasn't signed one yet."

That appears to be normal though, at this stage of film production.

[brockly]

Brosnan Laughs Off Britney Bond Girl Reports

Pierce Brosnan has laughed off reports Britney Spears will be the next Bond girl - dismissing the suggestions as "rumor". The pop star - who made her big screen debut in 2002's Crossroads - had reportedly lobbied the makers of the spy film series to let her play the female lead in the next 007 movie, but Brosnan would prefer British star Keira Knightley. He says of the Britney reports, "It's a rumor! I know nothing of it. I don't involve myself in the rumors of Bond and I try and stay occupied with other films when I'm not doing it, but Britney, no. Bless her cotton socks and good luck to her. Keira Knightley maybe!"

Me wants keira too

[Stefen]

"bless her cotton socks" hahahah awesome. And Brock, your av rocks.

[classical gas]

And Brock, your av rocks.

I was gonna say that....

[Weak2ndAct]

Just picked up the new bond game "Everything or Nothing" for the PS2 and it effin' rocks.  They threw out the first person view and changed the the style of play, but suprisingly enough, it's even better than the previous games (want to rappel down a building backwards and shoot guys at the same time?)!  

The best part though, is that they got Brosnan, Willem Dafoe (Russian villain!), Judi Dench, Heidi Klum, Shannon Elizabeth, and Mya to all do voices and lend their likenesses.  The game even has a title sequence and scenes at MI:6.  It's as close as you're going to get to a new bond movie for a while-- hell if they're having such problems coming up w/ a story, the should just steal this one.  It's cool.

[MacGuffin]

Brosnan Laughs Off Britney Bond Girl Reports

Pierce Brosnan has laughed off reports Britney Spears will be the next Bond girl - dismissing the suggestions as "rumor". The pop star - who made her big screen debut in 2002's Crossroads - had reportedly lobbied the makers of the spy film series to let her play the female lead in the next 007 movie, but Brosnan would prefer British star Keira Knightley. He says of the Britney reports, "It's a rumor! I know nothing of it. I don't involve myself in the rumors of Bond and I try and stay occupied with other films when I'm not doing it, but Britney, no. Bless her cotton socks and good luck to her. Keira Knightley maybe!"

Me wants keira too

Actually, Bronson also has wanted Monica Bellucci to be a Bond girl ever since "Tomorrow Never Dies" (and I think she would be a perfect choice). But, according to producers, the front runner for the next Bond girl is Aishwarya Rai, although she has yet to be signed since the script for Bond 21 isn't finished yet.

[brockly]

Minogue To Woo Bond?
Pop star Kylie Minogue has emerged as the favorite to star opposite James Bond in the new 007 movie. The sexy singer is reportedly eager to launch a career on the big screen and insiders insist she's the number one choice for the traditionally sexy Bond girl role. A source says, "It's just a matter of whether she'll play the 'good' Bond girl or the 'evil' Bond girl." A spokesman for the Slow singer says no deal has been signed yet, but adds, "She is continually being sent film scripts." Yesterday current James Bond Pierce Brosnan revealed producers were still in "paralysis" over plans for the superspy's 21st outing on the big screen, and admitted he's unsure whether he'll be cast in the film.

-----

Bond Bosses at Loggerheads
James Bond star Pierce Brosnan will have to wait longer to find out if he's taking on the infamous role one more time - the film's bosses are at loggerheads over whether to cast a new actor in the role. The Irish actor recently revealed 007 producers were in "paralysis" over plans for Bond 21, and he is unsure if he will return for his fifth outing as the suave superspy. Now sources claim scriptwriters Andrew Neal and Robert Wade are in conflict with Eon Productions - who make the movies - over what direction the next film will take. An insider says, "The two scriptwriters want one kind of Bond, while Eon wants another. Neal and Wade want to go back to basics and concentrate on the plot and the characters, but Eon wants an even bigger special effects bonanza than Die Another Day, with loads of gadgets and computer wizardry. Obviously the issue affects the choice of who plays Bond."

Fuckin Eon  

[MacGuffin]

Bana for Bond After All?

Australian actor Eric Bana has been approached to play James Bond but has yet to decide on whether to accept the coveted role, according to reports. The Hulk star recently slammed speculation he was poised to replace Pierce Brosnan in the legendary franchise, insisting he had never been approached by producer Barbara Broccoli. But an insider tells London's Evening Standard newspaper that Bana is trying to decide whether starring as the world's favorite super-spy will damage his burgeoning film career, or enhance it. A source says, "Eric has been offered the part of James Bond but is currently deciding whether it's something he really wants to sign up to." According to the Bond insider, both British star Clive Owen and Australia's Hugh Jackman are in line for the role should Bana turn it down.

[MacGuffin]

Dougray Scott To Play Bond?

British actor Dougray Scott has reportedly beaten off competition from actors, Eric Bana, Ioan Gruffud and Clive Owen to replace Pierce Brosnan as James Bond. The To Kill A King hunk, 38, clinched the role after discussions with Bond producer Barbara Broccoli and will be the seventh actor to appear as the sexy British agent. He will make his first appearance in the 23rd Bond movie after Eon Productions decided they wanted to return to a more brooding Bond in the mould of fellow Scot Sean Connery, reports British newspaper the Sunday Mirror. A movie insider says, "Producers have been eager to take Bond back to the broody and sexy figure that Sean was so brilliant at. Obviously it's not possible for Sean to return at his age, so they have been looking for a younger actor with similar characteristics. Since then Barbara and Dougray have been in talks - and she believes he will be the perfect new 007 for the 21st Century." Brosnan announced two months ago that he would not be starring as Bond again, saying, "That's it. I've said all I've got to say on the world of James Bond."

[MacGuffin]

MGM's 007 Plans Shaken Up
Source: Hollywood Reporter

MGM, which is in the process of being sold to a group headed by Sony Corp ., has insisted on a business-as-usual stance, but that business no longer involves the immediate production of a new James Bond movie.

The studio confirmed Wednesday that it has put the development of a new installment of its most important franchise on hold.

As a result, the movie, which had been billed simply as "Bond 21" and was scheduled for release Nov. 21, 2005, will not be hitting theaters in its traditional November slot as originally planned.

According to an MGM spokesperson, the studio made the decision because it has not yet found a director for the film. Sources familiar with the situation said that the producers plan to meet next month to decide whether to aim for a summer 2006 or November 2006 release date.

The five months of negotiations that preceded the Sony deal also are said to have affected the development of the film because during that period, executives were unable to move forward on the project.

Typically, the studio's Bond films go into production in January or February of the year in which a November release is planned, but to do that, a director has to be on board by the end of the previous summer.

A steady flow of directors' names has been associated with the assignment, with Paul McGuigan, who directed MGM's recent "Wicker Park," understood to be the first choice of producers.

There also has been speculation that Pierce Brosnan will not resume the role of James Bond, which would necessitate recasting. MGM was unable to confirm that possibility.

[MacGuffin]

Brosnan Favors Colin Farrell As Bond

Pierce Brosnan, the actor who has played British agent James Bond in the last four "007" films, says he thinks fellow Irishman Colin Farrell would be his ideal successor.

Brosnan, 51, said several actors could ably fill his shoes for the coveted role, which he began in 1995 with "GoldenEye" and concluded with 2002's "Die Another Day."

"But I'll give it to Colin Farrell. He'll eat the head off them all," Brosnan said following an entertainment awards ceremony Saturday in Dublin.

Farrell, 28, appeared with Tom Cruise in the 2002 science fiction movie "Minority Report" and has the title role in Oliver Stone's forthcoming epic "Alexander."

Brosnan didn't specify any other actors that he thought would make a good 007.

He also said he was discussing a possible collaboration with director Quentin Tarantino, who is considering a remake of the original Bond novel, "Casino Royale."

"We have discussed things, Quentin and I, but I don't know if its going to be that particular project," Brosnan said.

Last October, the producers of the planned 21st Bond film, Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson, informed Brosnan he'd gotten too old to be cast again as Bond. Speculation about the next Bond has since been rife, with Jude Law, Hugh Jackman, Clive Owen and Eric Bana on the list.

[MacGuffin]

Campbell may raise glass to 007

Martin Campbell, who helped to revive the James Bond franchise with the 1995 hit "GoldenEye," is in negotiations to direct the 21st installment in MGM's spy series.

Although MGM recently said the Bond film will not arrive in theaters next November, as originally scheduled, the project would be on track to meet a 2006 release date should Campbell come aboard.

Campbell, who is filming another major franchise -- the sequel to "Legend of Zorro" for Columbia Pictures -- introduced Pierce Brosnan to audiences as James Bond in "GoldenEye." However, Brosnan has said that he will not be returning as Bond, so Campbell could find himself introducing yet another actor in the role. Neither MGM nor producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson have commented on casting plans for the new installment.

Campbell's contribution to reviving the series in the mid-'90s made him the man for the current job, sources said Tuesday. Other directors who had been mentioned as candidates for the assignment were Paul McGuigan, who recently directed MGM's "Wicker Park," and Matthew Vaughn, Guy Ritchie's longtime producing partner who made his directorial debut this year with the British crime thriller "Layer Cake."