Sam Mendes

New Images from THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN, THE HOBBIT, PROMETHEUS, THE AVENGERS, and More

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: December 16th, 2011 at 12:21 pm

Empire, just about the best movie magazine you can find, has released their 2012 preview and with that comes a batch of new images from some highly anticipated movies. The center-piece of the issues appears to be Marc Webb’s Spider-Man reboot The Amazing Spider-Man. It includes new images of Andrew Garfield as Spidey, as well as looks at Emma Stone as Gwen Stacy and Rhys Ifans as the villainous Lizard. The issue also brings us new looks at The Avengers (featuring the Thor-Captain America street battle that was capture from every angle by set videos), Dredd, The Hobbit, Ridley Scott’s Prometheus, the new James Bond film Skyfall, and Snow White and the Huntsman. Hit the jump to check out the images.

Daniel Craig Talks about the Script Problems on QUANTUM OF SOLACE; Says Why He’s Encouraged for SKYFALL

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: December 7th, 2011 at 9:47 am

Daniel Craig is currently making the press rounds for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo so it’s only natural that people want to talk about the next James Bond film, Skyfall.  But in a recent interview, Craig explained why the script for Casino Royale is what brought him to the franchise and then how the writer’s strike is what caused Quantum of Solace to be so terrible.

Hit the jump for more including what Craig says he finds encouraging about Skyfall, which opens November 9, 2012.

Screenwriter John Logan Talks About His Approach to New James Bond Film SKYFALL and Action Set-Pieces

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: November 20th, 2011 at 2:06 pm

While the road to production on the latest Bond film has been rather arduous thanks to the financial troubles of MGM, principal photography on Skyfall is officially underway with director Sam Mendes behind the lens, anchored by a stellar supporting cast including Javier Bardem as the villain and Ralph Fiennes in an as yet undisclosed role. Steve is currently in New York doing the press rounds for Martin Scorsese’s family film Hugo and got the chance to sit down with screenwriter John Logan, who was one of the writers on Bond 23.

Logan talked about how he first came aboard the project, his approach to scripting a film that’s part of a 50-year franchise, the process of crafting the series’ notorious action set-pieces with the aid of Mendes, and how he weaves action into the story. Hit the jump to read the full interview.

New Set Photos from New James Bond Film, SKYFALL

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: November 7th, 2011 at 8:57 am

The first of set photos from the next James Bond film, Skyfall, have gone online.  Filming has begun and you’ll see from these set photos…kind of nothing.  Expect a lot of that because that’s the majority of set photos, and I don’t really understand the appeal of set photos for a movie like Skyfall where there won’t be outlandish costumes or otherworldly production design.  But it’s been three years since the last Bond flick and some of you may be hard up for anything 007.

Hit the jump to check out the set photos.  The film, directed by Sam Mendes, stars Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, Judi Dench, Bérénice Marlohe, Naomie Harris, Ralph Fiennes, Albert Finney, and Ben Whishaw.  Skyfall opens November 9, 2012.

JAMES BOND 23 Officially Titled SKYFALL; New Details Revealed [Updated with Images & Video of the London Press Conference]

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: November 3rd, 2011 at 6:41 am

Sony Pictures held a press conference today to announce details on the 23rd James Bond film.  First up, Sony confirmed the title would be Skyfall, which sounds a bit sci-fi, but is a billion times better than “Quantum of Solace“.  As for the title’s meaning, producer Barbara Broccoli says, “It has emotional context which will be revealed in the film.”  The press conference was also attended by director Sam Mendes, co-producer Michael G. Wilson, and cast members Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, Judi Dench, Bérénice Marlohe, and Naomie Harris.

The official James Bond twitter, @007, tweeted the logline: “Bond’s loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.” Hit the jump for more juicy details on 007′s next adventure.  The film also stars Ralph Fiennes, Albert Finney, and Ben Whishaw.  Skyfall is due out November 9, 2012. [We've updated the story with the press release, as well as photos and video from the press conference, all of which you can check out after the jump.]

Do We Finally Have an Official Title and Plot Information for BOND 23?

by Jason Barr    Posted: August 30th, 2011 at 8:57 am

There are a few things we already know about the 23rd James Bond film. For starters, we know that Oscar-winner Sam Mendes will direct the film which is currently set to open in the U.K. on October 26th and the U.S. on November 9th. We also have a pretty good feel for the cast which already includes Daniel Craig and Judi Dench reprising their roles as 007 and M respectively as well as Javier Bardem (making a turn as the unspecified villain), Ralph Fiennes (as a character of “extreme complexity“), and potentially Naomie Harris as Ms. Moneypenny.

With all of this info in mind, those concerned for the film’s immediate fate following MGM’s, um, money problems should be all but put to rest. That said, there’s still some aspects that inquiring minds would like to know such as “What’s the official title?” and “What’s it about?”. Hit the jump for a report that claims to answer both.

Naomie Harris to Play Moneypenny in BOND 23; Javier Bardem Confirmed to Co-Star

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: July 8th, 2011 at 6:15 am

After a forced delay due to MGM’s financial implosion, the 23rd James Bond film is finally gaining some traction.  The Daily Mail reports that Naomie Harris (28 Days Later) is in final negotiations to play Ms. Moneypenny, a character who has been absent from the franchise ever since it was re-launched with Daniel Craig as 007.  The Mail also confirms that Javier Bardem will co-star with Craig, Judi Dench, and Ralph Fiennes.  Bardem was previously tipped for the villain role while Fiennes is playing a character “of extreme complexity” according to director Sam Mendes.

Hit the jump for my thoughts on Moneypenny returning to the series.  James Bond 23 is set to open on November 9, 2012.

James Bond 23 Gets Oct. 26, 2012 U.K. Release Date; 2 Weeks Before America

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: June 2nd, 2011 at 8:30 am

If you’re a James Bond fanatic and want to see director Sam Mendes take on the character as soon as possible, start saving for a ticket to the United Kingdom.  That’s because MGM and Sony Pictures have set a October 26, 2012 release for Bond 23 in the U.K., which is two weeks before America (November 9, 2012).  Production on the 23rd installment is set to begin later this year.  In case you missed our previous stories, Javier Bardem and Ralph Fiennes have both been in talks with producers about taking on two separate roles, with Bardem being offered the villain.  While I loved Casino Royale, I thought Quantum of Solace was a missed opportunity.  However, Daniel Craig was great in both films and I can’t wait for the next installment.

Sony Pictures Reaches Agreement with MGM to Co-Finance and Distribute BOND 23 and 24

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: April 13th, 2011 at 4:37 pm

Back in February it was reported that MGM was close to settling a deal with Sony to distribute some of their films. Well, now Sony and MGM have officially reached an agreement for Bond 23 as well as Bond 24. Sony will co-finance and theatrically market and distribute Bond 23 worldwide, and the press release announces that Sony and MGM “look forward to Sony Pictures co-financing and distributing Bond 24 on a similar basis.” All-in-all, good news for James Bond fans.

Bond 23 is set to be directed by Sam Mendes, with Daniel Craig returning as Bond. Javier Bardem and Ralph Fiennes have both been in talks with producers about taking on two separate roles, with Bardem being offered the villain. The press release also mentions that Sony and MGM will be partnering up on other films besides the Bond series for the next five years. Hopefully this includes the Joss Whedon-scripted Cabin in the Woods and the Red Dawn remake, both of which were filmed over a year ago. Hit the jump to read the full press release.

Cinematographer Roger Deakins Interview; Talks TRUE GRIT, Coen Brothers, Digital vs. Film, Says He’s Probably Shooting BOND 23

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: February 9th, 2011 at 6:37 pm

One of my favorite cinematographers is Roger Deakins.  If you look over his amazing resume, you’ll see he’s shot so many memorable films, you’d be hard pressed to have not seen at least a few of them.  Some of the standouts include The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, No Country for Old Men, The Big Lebowski, The Shawshank Redemption, and True Grit. As you may have noticed by the titles I just listed, Deakins has a very close relationship with the Coen Brothers, as he shoots most of their movies.

The other day I got to do an exclusive phone interview with Deakins and we talked about a wide range of subjects: what kinds of cameras and lenses he likes to use, his relationship with the Coen brothers and how they work together, making True Grit, digital vs. film, his next movie Now which he shot digitally with the Arriflex Alexa (his first time using digital), his relationship with DreamWorks and his involvement on How to Train Your Dragon and the upcoming sequel, 3D, and when I asked him about what’s coming up next, he said, “I’ll probably do a film with Sam Mendes next.”  When I asked him if that meant he was shooting Bond 23, he said, “it might, yeah.”

If you’re interested in cinematography, or just a fan of Deakins work, hit the jump to either read or listen to our conversation:

Ralph Fiennes in Talks for BOND 23; Kevin Spacey Was Under Consideration for a Minute

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: February 3rd, 2011 at 10:08 pm

At this stage, only franchise star Daniel Craig and Judi Dench are confirmed to return for Bond 23, with Sam Mendes (Away We Go) directing.  The casting process kicked into the next gear earlier this week, though, when Javier Bardem spoke out about possibly playing the villain.  In keeping the discussion among Oscar nominees, the producers are in early talks with Ralph Fiennes to play a role.

Mendes and Fiennes are old friends, ever since the actor starred in the director’s stage production of Troilus And Cressida more than two ­decades ago.  Fiennes is intrigued by the “darkly complex role,” which is reportedly different from the one that was offered to Bardem.  Details after the break:

Javier Bardem Confirms He’s Considering Villain Role in BOND 23; Says New Film Changes the “Whole Dynamic”

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: February 1st, 2011 at 2:45 pm

On Sunday, we reported that Javier Bardem had been offered a role in Sam Mendes upcoming James Bond film.  At the time, we speculated that Bardem was being offered the part of the villain.  Bardem now confirms that he has been offered the role of Bond’s antagonist but he wants to read the screenplay before he signs on.  Bardem tells the LA Times, “I’m a huge fan of the James Bond saga.  When I was little, I went watching Mr. Connery doing James Bond with my father. Who in the world would think I’d be in one of those movies.”

Hit the jump for what Mendes told Bardem about the role when they met.

Javier Bardem Offered Big Role in BOND 23

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: January 30th, 2011 at 2:32 pm

It’s turning out to be a not-so-quiet Sunday. Earlier today, the new Superman was announced, and now it seems that Javier Bardem may be taking on a major role in the next James Bond film. Apparently, Bardem has been offered a starring role in the back-on-track Bond 23 (tentative title, of course). Given that the other lead male role in most Bond films other than Bond himself is a villain, one would assume that Bardem would be portraying a baddie. However, Deadline’s report on the matter has no confirmation on the role he’s been offered at this time, as plot details are being kept under wraps. Just recently, MGM finally got their financing troubles together, putting both The Hobbit and Bond 23 back in commission. Hit the jump for more on Bardem in Bond.

JAMES BOND 23 Set for November 9, 2012

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: January 11th, 2011 at 12:01 pm

Now that MGM’s financial mess is settled, it looks like James Bond is finally back on track.  Deadline reports that Bond 23 (tentative title, obviously) is currently set for November 9, 2012.  Sam Mendes is still attached to direct and Daniel Craig will return as 007.  Production is set to begin late this year.  While a script from Neal Purvis, Robert Wade, and Peter Morgan (Frost/Nixon) was previously going to be used, Deadline is now reporting that Mendes will work from a script by Purvis, Wade, and Gladiator screenwriter John Logan.  Now let the title and Bond girl speculation begin!

Currently, the only other film holding the November 9, 2012 release date is McG’s Ouija.  The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 is due out a week later.

Pre-Production on BOND 23 “Halted”

by Jeff Ames    Posted: January 5th, 2011 at 10:43 am

There has been much speculation regarding the next James Bond film (or Bond 23), especially after the near-demise of MGM. Recently, news broke that the company, having successfully filed for bankruptcy, had set its sights on a 2012 release date with a new Bond film to follow every other year. More importantly, director Sam Mendes (Road to Perdition) had been attached to direct the Quantum of Solace follow up, a rumor confirmed by the Academy Award-winning director’s wife Kate Winslet back in December.

Variety now reports, however, that pre-production on Bond 23 has been “halted” as the company awaits bids for its assets. A spokesman for the studio confirmed that scripting is still underway, but that the project’s timeline is “a little up in the air what with the situation at MGM, so we gave to be flexible.” Oddly enough, the article also states that no director is attached to the project. With star Daniel Craig actively pursuing other projects, including David Fincher’s adaptation of The Millenium Trilogy, and MGM in disarray, will Bond 23 ever see the living daylights?

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