James Bond news and notes: shake up at MGM
By David Pegram
On March 19, MGM CEO, Gary Barber, was surprisingly fired. This, after signing a contract extension this past fall. While such moves can seem commonplace in business–and entertainment, for that matter–Barber’s sudden firing left a big question for Bond fans: what impact would this have for the release of Bond 25?
Fortunately, none. After a conference call with investors this week, MGM’s new management team informed investors that it still has Bond 25 on schedule for a 2019 release. COO Kenneth Klay, said the following:
"In addition we have a strong development pipeline for 2019, headlined by the return of James Bond, and we are working closely with our partners, EON productions, on what we believe will be another highly successful installment of this evergreen franchise."
No doubt, MGM would be foolish, at this point, to allow any delay in their #1 product. Any doubters on this would best be advised to see a recent report on MGM’s plummeting home entertainment revenues, blamed on a lack of new James Bond material.
In other news:
Moonraker is making a return. A dramatization of the novel will be broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on Saturday night, March 31. Toby Stephens (Gustav Graves in Die Another Day) will play James Bond. Samuel West will play the role of Hugo Drax.
Still seven months or more from filming Bond 25, Daniel Craig has popped up on video screens small and big in recent days. First, in a self-recorded video message, Craig offered good luck to drama students at Bishop Eton school, as they prepared the perform Aladdin. Then, later this week, he appeared in a recorded PSA for the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS). Craig has been the “Global Advocate” for UNMAS since 2015.
An early Happy Birthday to Christopher Walken, who turns 75 on March 31st. That same date will mark the 60th anniversary of the publication of Ian Fleming’s Dr. No.
As always, thanks for reading. Be sure to check back for more Bond news and updates.