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We reported back in early December of 2010 that Sam Mendes was still a “go” to direct the next James Bond feature for MGM, despite the studio just going into its (now resolved) bankruptcy. Today MGM has announced that the 23rd installment of the popular secret agent franchise is going into production late 2011, and is set for a worldwide release date of November 9, 2012. The announcement comes from Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli of EON Productions, along with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc’s Co-Chairmen Gary Barber and (Chief Executive Officer) Roger Birnbaum. Daniel Craig is set to return in the role of 007, Sam Mendes (REVOLUTIONARY ROAD) is directing, and the screenplay will be by Bond alumnists Neal Purvis and Robert Wade with help from John Logan (FROST/NIXON). So far no details on the story, but BOND 23 is said to pick up where QUANTUM OF SOLACE left off..
With a new James Bond movie on the way, and THE HOBBIT picking up all sorts of momentum, MGM may be headed for a huge comeback. There are still issues over who will get distribution rights on Bond, as Spyglass is now involved with the production as well. At this point, the new 007 feature will start the casting process, leaving fans to wonder who will share the screen with Craig in the newest outing. Supposedly producer Broccoli has visited with actor Simon Russell Beale two times while is West End production of DEATHTRAP ran, and the thespian is going to be working with Sam Mendes on KING LEAR in 2012… so that guy has a good shot. Beale reportedly told a UK newspaper earlier this year that he’d already dropped a hint to Mendes that “every actor wants to be in Bond [and] I’d love to be a baddie.”
So what do you think about BOND 23? Are you excited to see Craig return to the 007 role? Think the delay will be too great for fans to fall back into place? Tell us in the comments.
Source: Deadline
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. 
