'Bond 23' on Ice Over MGM Uncertainty

Who would have thought after all those adventures that the only thing able to stop James Bond was debt. EON Productions, in a press release grabbed by Cinema Blend, reveals that the untitled Bond 23 isn't moving forward until MGM, you know, sorts its shit out.

"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. We do not know when development will resume and do not have a date for the release of Bond 23."

That's the most prudent move to make, unfortunately. Why keep throwing time and money at something that could change radically six months from now if another studio buys MGM and decides it wants to do something different with 007? I seriously doubt that would happen, coming off the biggest movie in the franchise, which itself followed up the best Bond movie in 40 years. However, this and the frequent delays on The Hobbit - which Peter Jackson refuses to call delays, even though the film almost certainly won't open in December 2011 at this point - might help MGM sell, something it's had trouble doing this year. Can't believe nobody wants these two films and that catalog for $2 billion, especially when Miramax is getting roughly 30% that much with no Hobbit or Bond and a slimmer archive.

Comments

[EG3]

I'm extremely surprised no one has scooped up MGM for $2 billion by this point either. It's one of the most recognizable movie production companies and holds a very impressive archive not to mention the bond titles/hobbit. I'm sure this will be sorted out. Just need to find the right person to do it.

[Jason]

This really is a shame for the Bond franchise. I personally loved both Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace. To see Bond as a grittier spy early in his "double 0" career was awesome. And Daniel Craig is the best bond since Sean Connery (heresy alert--I actually think Craig is better) There is so much that can be done with Bond's character now. I sure hope either someone buys them up, or they can sort this out for themselves.