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| Bond film on hold 'indefinitely' | Bond film on hold 'indefinitely' |
| (4 days later) | |
| The production of the next James Bond film has been suspended "indefinitely" because of uncertainty over the future of film company MGM, producers say. | The production of the next James Bond film has been suspended "indefinitely" because of uncertainty over the future of film company MGM, producers say. |
| Producers Michael Wilson and Barbara Broccoli said they did not know when work on the 23rd Bond film would resume and there was no date for its release. | Producers Michael Wilson and Barbara Broccoli said they did not know when work on the 23rd Bond film would resume and there was no date for its release. |
| The latest Bond, due to star Daniel Craig as 007 for the third time, had been due out in 2011 or 2012. | The latest Bond, due to star Daniel Craig as 007 for the third time, had been due out in 2011 or 2012. |
| James Bond is one of the longest running franchises in film history. | James Bond is one of the longest running franchises in film history. |
| Wilson and Broccoli, of EON Productions, said: "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." | Wilson and Broccoli, of EON Productions, said: "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." |
| Daniel Craig, who made his Bond debut in Casino Royale in 2006, said: "I have every confidence in Barbara and Michael's decision and look forward to production resuming as quickly as possible." | Daniel Craig, who made his Bond debut in Casino Royale in 2006, said: "I have every confidence in Barbara and Michael's decision and look forward to production resuming as quickly as possible." |
| WILL WE SEE BOND 23? Work started on the film almost immediately after Quantum Of Solace hit cinemasThe script is by Frost/Nixon writer Peter Morgan and 007 regulars Neal Purvis and Robert WadeIt was due for release in 2012 - the 50th anniversary of Dr NoNo director was hired, but Sam Mendes was in talksFilm studio MGM put itself up for sale in November 2009With debts of $3.7bn (£2.4bn) the studio may be unable to fund a new Bond film until it finds a buyerMGM could also sell the Bond franchise to raise capitalIndustry experts say "nobody doubts" Daniel Craig will eventually return as the super-spy | |
| Craig is the sixth actor to play the British secret agent on the big screen, after Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton and Pierce Brosnan. | Craig is the sixth actor to play the British secret agent on the big screen, after Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton and Pierce Brosnan. |
| His first outing, in Casino Royale, was the most successful instalment in the franchise's 48-year history, taking $594m (£385m) at the global box office. | His first outing, in Casino Royale, was the most successful instalment in the franchise's 48-year history, taking $594m (£385m) at the global box office. |
| There is little doubt he will eventually return to the role, said Helen O'Hara from film magazine Empire - either with the backing of MGM or another film company. | There is little doubt he will eventually return to the role, said Helen O'Hara from film magazine Empire - either with the backing of MGM or another film company. |
| "The last two films have done phenomenally well, and the series is a very reliable performer," she told the BBC. | "The last two films have done phenomenally well, and the series is a very reliable performer," she told the BBC. |
| "If the Bond franchise went up for sale I don't think there'd be any problem at all." | "If the Bond franchise went up for sale I don't think there'd be any problem at all." |
| Work on the latest film was still in the early stages, Ms O'Hara added. | Work on the latest film was still in the early stages, Ms O'Hara added. |
| "I'm not sure they were very far on," she said. "The Bond machine is always in motion and it felt like it was just beginning to heat up. | "I'm not sure they were very far on," she said. "The Bond machine is always in motion and it felt like it was just beginning to heat up. |
| "You were beginning to have the inevitable and endless casting rumours - Rachel Weisz had been mentioned - because the British press goes nuts for it." | "You were beginning to have the inevitable and endless casting rumours - Rachel Weisz had been mentioned - because the British press goes nuts for it." |
| The production of the next James Bond film has been suspended "indefinitely" | The production of the next James Bond film has been suspended "indefinitely" |
| EON productions holds the rights to Ian Fleming's works - including the Bond series and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang - while film studio MGM owns the rights to the Bond film franchise. | EON productions holds the rights to Ian Fleming's works - including the Bond series and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang - while film studio MGM owns the rights to the Bond film franchise. |
| The studio is also home to the Pink Panther and has a stake in the forthcoming Hobbit movie. | The studio is also home to the Pink Panther and has a stake in the forthcoming Hobbit movie. |
| It is saddled with $3.7bn (£2.4bn) debt, and has been trying to find a buyer since last year. | It is saddled with $3.7bn (£2.4bn) debt, and has been trying to find a buyer since last year. |
| Several companies have expressed an interest - but offers are thought to be significantly below the $2bn (£1.3bn) sought by MGM and its debt holders. | Several companies have expressed an interest - but offers are thought to be significantly below the $2bn (£1.3bn) sought by MGM and its debt holders. |