MGM was just recently approved for bankruptcy, which means the financial healing process can begin. And of course, with that healing comes questions about some of their bigger film franchises and their futures, particularly the 007 series. The composer for the last several Bond films, David Arnold, recently told Film Music Mag that things are definitely still a go, stating the following when asked specifically about scoring 007:
“I haven’t thought about it yet. We only just got the news that we’re back on. But ‘there’s many a slip twixt cup and lip’ So I will keep quiet until I get a script and then start writing ideas. I just hope the next one is as good as my favorites, as I think everyone does. And I’m always interested in what Daniel Craig brings to the part. But like most things with movies, if it ain’t on the page etc… All I can say is that I’m looking forward to a great script for it, alongside every other Bond fan in the world!”
Another question some are wondering about is whether or not director Sam Mendes will still be tapped to direct the next installment of the 007 franchise (we previously reported he had that job in January of 2010). Well, we may have our answer on that too…
Kate Winslet was recently interviewed by the DailyMail, and she specifically talked about moving to London with her “estranged” husband Sam Mendes while he shoots Bond 23.
“Sam is doing the next Bond film, all being well, and we’ll all be in England if that happens. It’s such a massive commitment for him and it’s not fair for him to commute backwards and forwards to New York from London. It would be impossible.”
When they asked whether or not Kate would consider ever playing a Bond girl, or even turn up in a small part in the new Bond outing, she laughed and shook her head saying “No!” Mendes has reportedly already had several meetings with EON head and Bond producer Barbara Broccoli.
While some of our questions are now answered, specifically whether or not a 23rd installment of the Bond franchise would even happen, we still don’t know certain details. Will Peter Morgan (FROST/NIXON) still be the screenwriter of choice? Apparently his script is done, so one can only wonder if EON will use it, or instead employ a new writing staff. While Martin Campbell’s CASINO ROYALE was well-received by both critics and audiences, there was a lot of criticism of QUANTUM OF SOLACE‘s heavy use of action and light use of story. Bond needs some tweaking before returning to the big screen, and many are curious whether or not Sam Mendes is the right man for the job. What do you think? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.
Born and raised in Dallas, Mark has been a movie critic since 1994, with reviews featured in print, radio and National TV. In 2001 he started the Entertainment section of the Herorealm website, where he contributed film reviews and celebrity interviews until 2004. After three years of service there, he started Bigfanboy.com, which has become one of the Dallas film community's leading information websites. Bigfanboy hosts several movie screenings in the Texas area, and works closely with film and TV studios and promotional partners to host exciting events and contests. The site also features a variety of rare celebrity and filmmaker interviews, and Bigfanboy.com regularly covers the film festival circuit as well. In addition to Hollywood reporting, Mark has worked for many years as an advertising and sci-fi/comic book artist. Clients have included Lucasfilm Ltd., Topps Trading Cards, The Dallas Mavericks and The Dallas Stars. From 2002 until 2015 he managed the Dallas Comic Con, Sci-Fi Expo and Fan Days events in the DFW area. He currently catalogs rare comic books and movie memorabilia for Heritage Auctions, and runs the Dallas Comic Show conventions, but remains an avid moviegoer and cinema buff. 
