Wilson on #23: Nothing Yet

Loeffelholz · March 2009

Bond producer Michael G. Wilson attended the Bradford International Film Festival, in Bradford, U.K. last week, and was inevitably asked about the next Bond film.

The news: There is none

http://www.cinemaretro.com/index.php?/archives/3079-BRADFORD-INTERNATIONAL-FILM-FESTIVAL-DIARY-DAY-1-MICHAEL-G.-WILSON-GIVES-A-MASTER-CLASS-ON-JAMES-BOND-MOVIES.html

One interesting bit: "Someone asked Wilson why he allowed the action sequences in Quantum to be edited with so many fast cuts that it robbed the scenes of any suspense. Wilson acknowledged that they were trying to please modern audiences who are used to that style of editing but did not outwardly endorse the style."

Higgins · March 2009

ha!
I am happy to hear, that a minimum of common sense is still with Babs and Mickey!

I particularly enjoy this:

...."Eon had little or no say over the song, which has been delivered so late in the process that the producers have to accept whatever is delivered. (Although Wilson did not mention any specific song titles, one would not be going out on a limb to assume it includes the dreadful Another Way to Die from Quantum Of Solace.)"

Napoleon Plural · March 2009

Odd indeed, but then it seems Sony or whoever has no say either, seeing as the song really wasn't much cop and did neither artist any real good. Imagine the absolute smash they'd have on their hands with a brilliant record and that kind of coverage. What a wasted money-making oppportunity, never mind creative one.

Sweepy the Cat · March 2009

Looks like a 2011 release for Bond 23

Loeffelholz · March 2009

Sweepy the Cat wrote:

Looks like a 2011 release for Bond 23

Yeah, which sucks if that turns out to be the case, but the conventional wisdom holds that the handover of the franchise from Sony back to MGM is the biggest reason for the delay X-(

Still, it's a good time for Eon to pause, and reflect on what they really want to do with their hard-earned, nicely re-tooled James Bond :007) If they take that extra year (which I hate to see, BTW!), they ought to have time to find the right screenwriter for a first draft,* spend some serious time and thought on issues such as the song (and the artist who writes/records it), the right director (and editor!!)...and make this third entry in Craig's tenure one for the ages.

* Someone who takes direction exceedingly well, is a team player, has some fresh and interesting ideas, and---most importantly---will work for the WGA minimum the first time round, saving on that precious production budget!

Nudge nudge, wink wink, say no more!

_{Eon, please...give me a shot...please...}

blueman · March 2009

Gotta say, I've been on the whole more pleased with the relatively rushed TND and QOS than their respective immediate - and far longer in the cooker - predecessors, GE and CR. But maybe that's problematic to what the differing goals were, establishing films versus follow-up films?

Short answer: I blame Campbell! {:)

One thing for sure, EON will be hard-pressed to create a botch-up anywhere near the mess TWINE was, no matter how long they take planning 23. I do worry a bit, now that the introductory Vesper-centric character arc is completed, exactly what direction EON will go in... they've gone in so many, even lately, and I don't really have a sense that they can differentiate from one to the next when it comes to appropriate Bondian quality. I'd like to think they're doing more than throwing darts, and the last two films taken together would suggest a hopefulness as being appropriate for 23. ... but then I remember DAD, and TWINE, and the 80s, and MR... who knows, maybe we'll see Craig in space? :007) (squid! squid! but I think we'll end up getting GE version 2.0, oh well)

Agent Wade · March 2009

Australia! Send the friggin' agent to bloody Australia for once! What would be so hard about getting a story that led 007 to Sydney?

7289 · March 2009

Quoting Loeffelholz:

"* Someone who takes direction exceedingly well, is a team player, has some fresh and interesting ideas, and---most importantly---will work for the WGA minimum the first time round, saving on that precious production budget!

Nudge nudge, wink wink, say no more!

Eon, please...give me a shot...please..."

_________________________

Wait a minute!!!!!

I'm tossing my hat in the ring for Bond 23 scriptwriter too!

But I'll be crafting a faithful and updated "Live and Let Die", and to heck with the pay. I'll do it for free and without screen credit - just for the pleasure of getting it RIGHT for once. No oo7 diddling Moneypeny and no funny Q toys, just action and adventure Fleming style!

{[]

Loeffelholz · March 2009

Well...you'll probably get the job, then. I can't afford to work for free ;%

7289 · March 2009

Don't worry Leoff, EON probably believes in the "you gets whats ya pay for" doctrine. So I'm not likely to get a call any time soon!

;%

Higgins · March 2009

7289 wrote:

Don't worry Leoff, EON probably believes in the "you gets whats ya pay for" doctrine.

Then he'll be out from the deal

EON just can't take the risk to buy a script for US$ 100,-- and get this on the screen

)

Barbel · March 2009

Loeffelholz wrote:

If they take that extra year (which I hate to see, BTW!), they ought to have time to find the right screenwriter for a first draft,* spend some serious time and thought on issues such as the song (and the artist who writes/records it), the right director (and editor!!)...and make this third entry in Craig's tenure one for the ages.

* Someone who takes direction exceedingly well, is a team player, has some fresh and interesting ideas, and---most importantly---will work for the WGA minimum the first time round, saving on that precious production budget! Nudge nudge, wink wink, say no more!

_{Eon, please...give me a shot...please...}

) Nice one, Loeff. Once you're in there, do me a favour and see if there's any vacancy (under similar conditions) in the music department...

Loeffelholz · March 2009

Bondtoys wrote:

EON just can't take the risk to buy a script for US$ 100,-- and get this on the screen )

Of course they can't, and nobody should expect them to. That would be rash, and unprofessional. Eon is neither of those things---and, fortunately for them, neither am I. That's why they need to listen to my pitch, and then read an outline/treatment of my proposed script, before we sign the paperwork...and I get busy

And yes, I would like screen credit---I've got a hellish day job to escape from, after all!!---although probably only as a co-writer, since they would doubtlessly bring in a Big Shot (like Haggis) for a thorough cut-and-slash rewrite...and any rewrite equalling or exceeding 50% of the finished script entitles the script doctor to a co-writing credit. I've got no problem with that!

[checking my private messages...:# so far, nothing

]

Suave Agent · March 2009

Sweepy the Cat wrote:

Looks like a 2011 release for Bond 23

I know how much work they put into Bond films and the time it takes. But the longer they wait the older Craig gets which limits the story line and his participation in the role of James Bond.

It seems that most directors have little confidence in there abilities when applying for the Bond films. I mean that is the second time a director has directed and run for the hills.

Loeffelholz · March 2009

Suave Agent wrote:

It seems that most directors have little confidence in there abilities when applying for the Bond films. I mean that is the second time a director has directed and run for the hills.

I think it's more about the fact that a Bond film is simply an exhausting endeavour: more than a year's intensive work, with multiple units shooting round the world, tight schedules and tremendous pressure, from both within and without. CR was Martin Campbell's second Bond...but he took about a decade-long break in-between 007 projects

Plus, Bond is so different from anything Marc Forster has done before...I'm sure he can't wait to do a quiet little indie film, a character piece with a six-figure budget that's shot in two rooms

)

It's more about Eon's decision-making process in seeking out directors. The best-qualified action film auteurs---guys like Tony and Ridley Scott, Spielberg, McTiernan, et al.---don't want to wear someone else's yolk round their necks. As always, it will be interesting to see who gets the gig.

Barry Nelson · March 2009

Loeffs, although I agree with you that in today's film world, big budget pictures and tight film schedules make for tense and exhausting work, I can't help, but remember an interview with Lucianna Paluzzi :x who commented on how much fun shooting TB was. She stated that Terence Young would be drinking champagne while directing the next scene. I always thought the relaxed atmosphere can be seen in the film, as the cast looks like they are enjoying themselves.

BTW - if you ever get the Bong gig, I volunteer to help with the female casting. :v

Loeffelholz · March 2009

{[]

If I get the Bond gig, I'll be a champagne drinker

...but the writer is at the absolute bottom of the Hollywood food chain {:)

Wilson on #23: Nothing Yet

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