Mendes isn’t on board… yet

Nikki Fenke of Deadline.com reports that Sam Mendes isn’t on board to direct Bond 23, yet. Instead, producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson are in final negotiations with Mendes for him to initially join the film crew as a consultant.

According to the trusted news site:

Daniel Craig is ‘insisting’ on Mendes’ hiring because the actor was stung by criticism of the last Bond film [Quantum of Solace]… Once EON hires a director on their Bond films, it triggers a first payment from MGM. Well, given that MGM is teetering on the brink of bankruptcy, and EON may have the right to take Bond elsewhere, it stands to reason that the producers wouldn’t want to do anything right away that further complicates ownership of Bond #23. ‘The producers are working on a deal to bring Sam on as consultant with an eye to direct,’ said one of the insiders. ‘Once they put him on as the director, something happens to the contract in terms of ownership. But let me emphasize there’s not any deal done.’ Said one insider about the choice of Mendes: ‘Barbara thinks he’s smart, which he is. But you don’t need such a fancy director. You need someone who can do an action movie.

MGM has not confirmed any of these reports and has denied reports that pre-production on Bond 23 is on hold.

Mendes. Sam Mendes…

British director Sam Mendes will take on the 23rd James Bond film, says The Hollywood Reporter.

The site reports that Mendes – the director of “American Beauty”, “Revolutionary Road”, and “Jarhead” –  is currently in negotiations with Eon Productions’ Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson to direct Daniel Craig’s third 007 outing.

The site also goes ahead and states, “Production is being fast-tracked and could begin as early as June with an eye toward a 2011 release. Plans for the film are moving forward despite a possible sale of MGM. Sony co-produced and distributed the most recent installment of the 007 series with MGM.”

No official statement has been made by EON Productions, however, so Bond fans will have to wait for verification.

Bond 23 production begins late 2010, Craig confirms

Daniel Craig has confirmed that production for the 23rd James Bond film will begin in late 2010. He stated this while as a guest on the Regis and Kelly Show in New York City.

The plan is to start shooting the next one at the end of next year, so it’ll be ready for 2011. We’ve got a lot of work to do.

Click here to see the full video.

2010: James Bond back in action again?

According to Access Hollywood, actor Daniel Craig told fans that Bond 23 starts up in late 2010.

An extra year will probably help MGM sort out their current financial situation, also.

As of now, we know that Bond 23 is being written by  Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, and Peter Morgan, who penned “The Queen” and “Frost/Nixon”. David Arnold will return to compose his sixth Bond film score. However, producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson have yet to announce a director.

This is good news. Perhaps it’ll give the Bond team a chance to develop a fresh story, with fresh characters. Maybe they’ll use the time wisely to seek out an experienced director, too.

Bring back Dame Shirley Bassey!

A behind-the-scenes look (or listen) at Dame Shirley Bassey’s new album project has been launched on YouTube. Here’s the video:

It’s obvious that this legend still has “her groove”. Those song excerpts are astonishing. I really can’t wait to hear this album in full.

EON Productions… do yourself a favor. Hire Dame Shirley Bassey to sing the theme song for the next Bond film. David Arnold’s got her back (he’s producing her new album), and she’s never failed the franchise.

Keep an eye out for “The Performance”, coming to stores November 9th. For more information, check out Dame Shirley’s home page: http://www.dameshirleybassey.com/

Mi6 Magazine ::: Issue #6 Press Release

(London, UK, September 21st, 2009) MI6 Declassified, the full-colour magazine celebrating the world of James Bond 007, returns with its sixth issue. Amongst the special guests featured in MI6 Declassified #6 are: actor Robert Davi reflecting on his role as Sanchez as Licence To Kill celebrates its 20th anniversary, Wing Commander Ken Wallis discussing Little Nellie, and author Charlie Higson on completing his fifth Young Bond book. This issue includes the first of a series of in-depth features on the classic James Bond films with a 10-page ‘Making You Only Live Twice’ special. With rarely seen photography and anecdotes from cast and crew, MI6 Declassified #6 is not to be missed!

Featured in the sixth issue:

• Exclusive interview with Robert Davi on his role as Sanchez in Licence To Kill
• Making You Only Live Twice – an exhaustive account of the fifth EON production
• Author Charlie Higson talks about completing his fifth Young Bond book
• Shooting in Key West – following the production of Licence To Kill in Florida
• David Hedison reflects on playing Felix Leiter twice
• Flying With Commander Ken Wallis – Little Nellie’s inventor and pilot
• Domark’s early Bond games are remembered as a blast from the past
• Before Bond – a look back at Cubby Broccoli’s pre-007 productions

Issue #6 is now shipping around the world. To order online, visit www.mi6magazine.com.

For more information, images, interviews, review copies or bulk orders, please contact: editor@mi6magazine.com

Muse for Bond 23?

According to BBC News, British rock band Muse have reportedly expressed interest in performing a song for the 23rd James Bond film.  Muse drummer Dom Howard said, “It’s something we’d probably say yes to, or at least give it a good go… Certainly some of our music fits with the James Bond vibe – and I think it could work… The last few have been pretty good … But I think we could do a good job… United States of Eurasia [from their new album, “The Resistance”] could have worked but it’s probably a bit late for that now.”

I’ve heard parts of their new album, and must say that (of what I’ve heard) it isn’t too bad. I’m mixed when it comes to Muse, though. I really enjoy some of their music and really can’t stand the rest. Will they be good for Bond? Well, I don’t think they’re up-to-par with the last British rock group to perform a Bond theme, Duran Duran, but I think they’d certainly do better than that White/Keys mess of song.

At this point, I’ve got high hopes for The Killers.

I’ve always liked this Muse song, titled “Shrinking Universe”…

Casting Bond #6: Part 3 – Clive Owen

Essential Links:

• Mi6. co.uk ::: Clive Owen set to be announced as James Bond 007 #6? (Jan 26 2005)
• Mi6.co.uk ::: Odds on Clive Owen taking on James Bond #6 role cut again to new record (Jan 27 05)
• Mi6.co.uk ::: James Bond #6 favourite Clive Owen denies the 007 rumours (Mar 01 2005)
• Mi6.co.uk ::: British tabloids claim Clive Owen will be announced as James Bond #6 this week (Apr 4 2005)

If Owen is cast as the next James Bond 007, it is expected he will sign a three picture deal with Eon Productions, with filming of Bond 21 to possibly begin in January 2006. No official announcements have been made, aside from MGM canning the 18/11/05 release date, but insiders believe a statement on Bond 21 could be made by mid-February.

The odds on Clive Owen being granted a licence to kill as James Bond #6 keep getting cut and cut by British bookmakers. Following his Golden Globe win for Best Supporting Actor in “Closer”, Owen’s odds fell to 8-1. His subsequent Oscar nomination for the same role then slashed his odds to 4-1.

Oscar-nominee Clive Owen has shot down recent reports that he’s a finalist for the role of James Bond in the upcoming Casino Royale. “They have never approached me,” Owen reportedly advised tonight’s episode of Access Hollywood. “It’s nothing but a rumor.”

Over the weekend, a couple of British newspapers ran stories that Clive Owen is set to be announced as James Bond #6. Plaguerizing earlier Internet reports from the Sin City premiere, both the Sunday Express and Sunday Star claimed “inside sources” had told them “Eon and Sony have finally come to an agreement”, and the “film will be a grittier, more realistic approach to Bond”.

Clive Owen had to be one of the most — if not, the most — popular choices for the role of James Bond #6. This top-notch English actor proved that he had the potential to be James Bond in a variety of films including: Croupier, I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead, and The Bourne Identity. In James Bond-fashion, he was even found putting the ‘pedal to the metal’ in BMW’s short films series.

Unlike the rest of the Bond #6 role contenders, Clive Owen had a good resume, and great potential — even more so than the actual James Bond #6, Daniel Craig, who only had a few *quality* major roles to his name prior to donning the classic tuxedo. His looks were very Bondian, though I can’t complain that Craig doesn’t look the part. Had Clive Owen been cast as Bond, I think he would’ve proved to be more of a Timothy Dalton-styled Bond, as opposed to the generic and often silly character portrayed by Pierce Brosnan.

I can recall Owen being a fan favorite around Bond fan forums, during the time of speculation. Unfortunately for the band wagon, though, Clive Owen never did make the cut. Is there a chance that he’ll ever be cast as James Bond? I highly doubt it. But, it doesn’t seem as if Owen has any hard feelings about the decision. In September 2006, Owen stated:

I think when Craig first took the part he got a pretty rough ride, which to a certain extent is inevitable because there are so many different people who have so many different ideas about something like that… You are never going to please everybody…  The thing that is really exciting is that he is a proper actor… He is not shallow or posing, they have cast a really serious actor and I think that when the film comes out everyone will see what a great choice he was.

Owen also took a couple of Bond-esque/spy roles, following the releases of Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace, including The International and Duplicity, acting alongside big names like Naomi Watts, Ulrich Thomsen, Julia Roberts, and Tom Wilkinson.

If you are curious as to what Owen may have looked like in the role of James Bond, though, you could always check out this fan trailer compiled by renowned editor Thomas Waldek. Perhaps it’ll provide you with a bit of closure…

Friday Feature: “Die Another Day” Fan Trailer

On July 28th, YouTube user 24YOBAW released a “Die Another Day” trailer made for the MI6 Forums July/August Trailer competition. The trailer creator states:

… Our task was to take a film and craft a trailer for it using the Quantum of Solace trailer music. I chose Die Another Day because I strongly dislike the film and I thought it would be a nice challenge. And yes, I purposely left Halle Berry out of the trailer.

Film Review ::: Octopussy

Following the down-to-Earth, Fleming thriller, “For Your Eyes Only”, “Octopussy” seems to relax a bit, and reverts to the jolly, humorous Roger Moore Bond film style — but this time, in moderation.

The film starts off with some great espionage and action. James Bond uses a disguise to infiltrate an air base and plant a bomb. The plan ends up falling through, and Bond comes face to face with the man he’s imitating. After being captured, Bond is able to escape from the back of a military truck with the help of his attractive, fellow agent. Cleverly hidden within a horse trailer, Bond hops into his AcroStar Mini Jet and flies off — only to come into contact with some opposition. After dodging a heat-seeking missile, and performing some amazing stunts, Bond casually lands near a gas station. After pulling up, he lightheartedly says, “Fill her up, please.”

The characters in this film aren’t of the high quality of the characters in “For Your Eyes Only”, however, they work well with the material. I’ve never really been amazed by Louis Jourdan’s performance of the villain Kamal Khan. He certainly doesn’t rank up there with Wiseman’s Dr. No, or Sheybal’s Kronsteen, or even Savalas’ Blofeld. On the other hand, though, he’s not a terrible character. I just never found him to be menacing. On the other hand, Kabir Bedi’s performance (as Gobinda) was quite menacing; I consider him to be a henchman to match the might of Oddjob. I like how the character was taken rather seriously, instead of being turned into a joke like Jaws. Perhaps that’s what added so much menace to the character. The knife-throwing twins, Mischka and Grischska, and the power-hungry General Orlov held these similar characteristics. As far as allies go, Vijay was pretty standard. He wasn’t as amazing as Jack Lord’s Felix Leiter, but he wasn’t as terrible as, say, Rosie Carver. The Bond girls seemed standard to me, also. Maud Adams returned to play Octopussy — but, Bond’s been there and done that. Kristina Wayborn (Magda) played a minor Bond girl, but I seemed to think that she wasn’t much of an actress, and more so an object to please the average male viewers’ eyes. It was fun to see Q in the field, though, landing a hot-air balloon on top of some of Khan’s goons.

John Barry did a favorable job with the film’s score. Though, I don’t consider it to be as legendary as the scores to “You Only Live Twice” or “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”, it still beats the hell out of Bill Conti’s dated, cheesy score to “For Your Eyes Only”. Rita Coolidge’s theme song was decent, also, but surely doesn’t match some of the classic themes of the series. Again, I prefer it to that annoying, sappy theme to “For Your Eyes Only”.

As far as locations go, India worked well in this film. The locations in Germany seemed grim, but worked well, also. The rest of the film tends to stay pretty serious, although we do get some ridiculous scenes that tend to take an audience out of “the moment”. For example, there’s a scene where Bond tells a tiger to “sit”, a scene where Bond swings across some vines and the Tarzan jungle-cry is heard, and then just plain-old cheesy lines like “That should keep you in curry for a few weeks”. Though Roger Moore was nearly 60-years-old at the time of the film’s release, he still held up pretty well, and looked pretty damn good.

Overall, the film is a laid-back successor of “For Your Eyes Only”. There are some scenes/aspects in which “Octopussy” tops “For Your Eyes Only”, but there are also some scenes/aspects in which “Octopussy” reverts back to the old, ridiculous nonsense that plagued Bond films like “Moonraker”. Roger Moore’s Bond era tend to catch a lot of harsh criticism, but sometimes for good reason. This film, however, doesn’t deserve any of that. It’s serious, yet fun. And most of all, it’s Bond. This is one of Moore’s best portrayals, I’d say.

7.5 / 10