Bond 25 - "No Time to Die" (2021) (1 Viewer)

[Jake Lipson]

However, the distributor for Bond movies has been a key source of financing the movie. Under Sony's most recent two-picture Bond deal, it provided half of the production budget while only getting 25 percent of the profits.

That's why I said it's not a big deal at this moment. It will be before production gets underway, but they don't seem to be ready to go into production yet. As of right now, they (maybe) unofficially have a director who has not been formally announced but who is (maybe) overseeing the writing of a script that they may or may not use. That director is also about to shoot a completely unrelated film which will be released two months before the supposed release date of Bond 25 in the U.S.

Getting a distribution partner is key before they start making the film for the reasons you stated. But I don't believe this is anywhere near the starting line yet, even though MGM would like us to think it is. So they've still got time to work out the distribution issue, since it's not like everything else is ready to go yet anyway.

 

[Spy Commander]

That's why I said it's not a big deal at this moment. It will be before production gets underway, but they don't seem to be ready to go into production yet. As of right now, they (maybe) unofficially have a director who has not been formally announced but who is (maybe) overseeing the writing of a script that they may or may not use. That director is also about to shoot a completely unrelated film which will be released two months before the supposed release date of Bond 25 in the U.S.

Getting a distribution partner is key before they start making the film for the reasons you stated. But I don't believe this is anywhere near the starting line yet, even though MGM would like us to think it is. So they've still got time to work out the distribution issue, since it's not like everything else is ready to go yet anyway.

But it still comes down to this: A release date announcement *without a distributor to actually get it into theaters* is almost meaningless.

That July 2017 announcement (the November 2019 release date) was hardly built on a firm foundation. I would agree with you on that, That hasn't stopped Bond fans from saying things like, "There's more happening below the surface." I would hope so! But that's not a a high bar.

 

[Jake Lipson]

But it still comes down to this: A release date announcement *without a distributor to actually get it into theaters* is almost meaningless.

Like I said before, if they could deliver a film by the release date they announced, they could make meeting the release date a condition of the sale. When TWC sold off Paddington 2 as a result of their mess, it was expected that the winning distributor would maintain the release date originally announced of January 12, which happened with Warner Bros. stepping in. The issue here is that I don't think MGM and Eon will have a film ready by November 2019 anyway, which also makes the release date meaningless if they can't meet it. As a fan, I don't want them to meet it if that means rushing to do so. They've done that before, with Quantum of Solace, which was shot during the writers' strike without the writers able to be there during the shoot and resulted in by far Craig's worst film.

The distribution issue will sort itself out once they get their other ducks in a row. But I don't see that happening yet.

 

[Jake Lipson]

It's done.

http://deadline.com/2018/05/james-b...niel-craig-danny-boyle-john-hodge-1202397905/

MGM & Annapurna releasing domestically on November 8, 2019. Universal releasing internationally on October 25, 2019, and they also have home entertainment rights. Production begins December 3, 2018 with Danny Boyle now confirmed to direct.

 

[Osato]

It's done.

http://deadline.com/2018/05/james-b...niel-craig-danny-boyle-john-hodge-1202397905/

MGM & Annapurna releasing domestically on November 8, 2019. Universal releasing internationally on October 25, 2019, and they also have home entertainment rights. Production begins December 3, 2018 with Danny Boyle now confirmed to direct.

Great news!!

 

[Lord Dalek]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertai...al&ns_source=twitter&ns_campaign=bbc_breaking - Danny Boyle has dropped out.

 

[Josh Steinberg]

The worst thing I've read so far is from the Deadline report, which suggests that the producers are considering going back to Neal Purvis and Robert Wade to write again, which is horrifying:

https://deadline.com/2018/08/danny-boyle-out-bond-25-director-creative-differences-1202449330/

There is no justifiable explanation as to why the Bond producers are addicted to those two writers.

 

[Tommy R]

Aw jeez! Are we still going to get it in November 2019? I remember initial plans being reported to bring Waltz back as Blofeld, but then they decided to not go that direction when Boyle came on, but maybe they already had a script or partial script with Blofeld that they can just pull out with not much delay.

 

[Malcolm R]

Must be Boyle wanted to do something creative, and the others disagreed.

 

[Sam Favate]

The worst thing I've read so far is from the Deadline report, which suggests that the producers are considering going back to Neal Purvis and Robert Wade to write again, which is horrifying:

https://deadline.com/2018/08/danny-boyle-out-bond-25-director-creative-differences-1202449330/

There is no justifiable explanation as to why the Bond producers are addicted to those two writers.

Oh no. Those guys have had a hand in every Bond movie for 20 years now, and, like, we have nothing to show for it, except convoluted plots that make less sense with every viewing. The only Bond writer I dislike more than those two is John Logan, a writer that I can honestly say I have disliked every script he has written. (Hey, some film makers just rub you the wrong way.)

Maybe there are some scraps of paper left at Richard Maibaum's house that we can use for a script. That would be better than Purvis & Wade.

 

[Josh Steinberg]

It seems that the pattern that has followed for pretty much every Bond movie in recent years is that the Bond producers first beginning by announcing that they've parted ways with Purvis and Wade. They then hire a new writer, often someone who has great credentials. I understand, Sam, that you're not a big fan of John Logan, but like him or hate him, he's a respectable writer that comes with A-list experience and credentials. They've also used Paul Haggis, another A-lister, in recent years. Then, as they get closer to production, the producers end up bringing back Purvis and Wade anyway, and we end up with a film where the plot machinations make little sense.

The best Bond movie in recent years, in my view, is Casino Royale - and the reason it's so good is that after Purvis and Wade turned in their first draft, they were completely rewritten by the much more talented Paul Haggis.

I think Purvis and Wade must have the ability to write quickly, and clearly are happy to deliver whatever the Bond producers ask them for. Maybe part of the blame needs to be placed with Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson - if Purvis and Wade are merely writing down what Broccoli and Wilson are dictating, it can't all be their fault.

It's so disappointing because they've had great actors as Bond and they've had great directors and great craftsmen, but it all ends up adding up to less than it should because of the consistently dumb writing. Heck, Skyfall is one of the most beautiful looking films I've ever seen, and it's so well directed and photographed that most people don't even notice that the film literally makes no sense.

 

[YanMan]

Heck, Skyfall is one of the most beautiful looking films I've ever seen, and it's so well directed and photographed that most people don't even notice that the film literally makes no sense.

Very true... After my initial positive impressions of Skyfall faded, I came to the same conclusion!

And the more I think about how that one ends, the more I feel like the writers really cheated Bond out of a victory just for a cheap emotional moment. Seems that the better way to end Skyfall would have been for

Spoiler

M to survive (considering the ordeal Bond goes through to try to save her from Bardem's character) and then just have her retire at the end.

Regarding this Bond 25 news, seems that this will likely result in the producers rushing forward with a half-baked script to meet the existing release date, and we end up with another lackluster Bond.

 

[Josh Steinberg]

Regarding this Bond 25 news, seems that this will likely result in the producers rushing forward with a half-baked script to meet the existing release date, and we end up with another lackluster Bond.

And I believe that is the Purvis/Wade script that was previously mentioned in the Deadline article. It seems that Purvis and Wade were writing a draft when Boyle was being courted by producers, and Boyle apparently said, "I'd love to direct a Bond movie, but only if it's a story/script of my choosing." The Bond producers hired Boyle and hired his choice of writer to work on Boyle's idea. It seems the Boyle-commissioned script was completed and then rejected by the producers, which is what caused Boyle to walk.

It sounds like the producers may now go back to the Purvis/Wade script that Boyle didn't want to direct.

 

[Jake Lipson]

I was coming in here to say basically the same thing and you beat me to it.

I think the issue comes down to whether the creative differences were over the script, or something else Boyle wanted to do in a directorial capacity. If they like the script but had some other issue with Boyle, they could still use the Hodge script. But if the script was the issue, they'll probably switch back to the Purvis/Wade version.

If they are going to keep the December 2018 shooting dates, they'll need to move quickly on a replacement. I think it would be better if they delayed it to give themselves more time to figure out what they want to do. I hope they don't rush it. Especially if this ends up being Craig's final film, I really want to see him get a great sendoff.

 

[Josh Steinberg]

My gut tells me that Broccoli and Wilson really love the stuff that Purvis and Wade write, as evidenced by Purvis and Wade being brought back for every film after it's announced that they're no longer writing Bond. Broccoli and Wilson keep going back to that well, over and over and over. I think it's fair to say that the script has been the thing that's stood out for negative critical reviews in each of the latest films, far more so than issues of casting or direction, so it can't be that the producers are unaware that the biggest complaints about these films have been the writing. And yet, they continue to stick with Purvis and Wade.

I think the Deadline reporting (if not that site, then another one) did indicate that the creative differences were over the script.

Given that, I think the most likely outcome is that Broccoli and Wilson go back to Purvis and Wade, as they always do. They seem to really like what Purvis and Wade write. It's just the rest of us that don't!

 

[Jake Lipson]

The other question, of course, is who's available with an opening to direct at the end of the year/beginning of next year.

I feel like if they rush it, they're going to get somebody less good than if they take their time.

But...I'm just going to say it, but James Gunn has his schedule free suddenly...although he'd probably want to write it, too, so maybe not.

 

[Malcolm R]

My gut tells me that Broccoli and Wilson really love the stuff that Purvis and Wade write, as evidenced by Purvis and Wade being brought back for every film after it's announced that they're no longer writing Bond. Broccoli and Wilson keep going back to that well, over and over and over. I think it's fair to say that the script has been the thing that's stood out for negative critical reviews in each of the latest films, far more so than issues of casting or direction, so it can't be that the producers are unaware that the biggest complaints about these films have been the writing. And yet, they continue to stick with Purvis and Wade.

I think the Deadline reporting (if not that site, then another one) did indicate that the creative differences were over the script.

Given that, I think the most likely outcome is that Broccoli and Wilson go back to Purvis and Wade, as they always do. They seem to really like what Purvis and Wade write. It's just the rest of us that don't!

As long as the masses keep showing up and the films are very profitable, where's the incentive to make any change? Skyfall grossed over $1.1 Billion, Spectre over $880 million. If it ain't broke....

 

[Tino]

I just don’t care any more. There are so many films better than the Bond films of late ( the John Wick films, the Mission Impossible films etc) that Bond just doesn’t feel that important any more.

 

[Sam Favate]

I've been a Bond fan since the 70s (and my favorite films are from the 60s). I have eagerly seen every new Bond movie on opening day for 40 years. But if I am being honest, I have to say I don't believe there has been a great James Bond movie in more than 30 years. Out of both Timothy Dalton films, only the first is worthwhile IMO. The second plays like a generic 80s revenge fantasy that finds Bond working a personal angle and operating outside HMSS. Little did I know then that that film would be the template going forward. Every film since Licence To Kill (1989) has followed similar formula. Of all the films that followed, only Tomorrow Never Dies and Casino Royale get a passing grade IMO (TND for a great performance from Michelle Yeoh and a fun villain in the style of William Hearst and Rupert Murdoch; Casino for its adherence to the book and a great debut by Daniel Craig). Otherwise, the producers have wasted the Bond runs of fine actors like Brosnan and Craig.

How about this? After Craig's last film (in which I have no faith if Purvis and Wade are writing), we get a new Bond, new writers and new producers. Wilson and Broccoli can make money but they can't make good films. None of the films of the last 30 years will stand the test of time the way the films of the first 25 years (1962-1987) have.

 

[Tommy R]

I guess I'm in the minority and have loved the Craig films (though Quantum of Solace is a bit of a weak link). Far better than the Mission Impossible and Bourne crap.