EoN sells up - Amazon MGM to produce 007 going forwards

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  • buddyoldchapbuddyoldchap Formerly known as JeremyBondon
    Posts: 236
    mtm wrote: »
    Can someone start a Turner thread so we can put all of the pictures of him in that?

    You do it, you're a shoe in for that. Ha.
  • Posts: 4,642
    There was a time where nobody cared about 007. It's the nature of art that it evolves and keeps moving in different directions. And it's the nature of some fans to resist this. It is just possible that Amazon may do an OK job but many here have already made their decision.
  • mtmmtm United Kingdom
    Posts: 17,067
    mtm wrote: »
    Can someone start a Turner thread so we can put all of the pictures of him in that?

    You do it, you're a shoe in for that. Ha.

    I would have zero interest in it, I've seen him and don't need to dreamily stare into his eyes constantly.
  • DarthDimiDarthDimi Behind you!Moderator
    Posts: 24,466
    patb wrote: »
    There was a time where nobody cared about 007. It's the nature of art that it evolves and keeps moving in different directions. And it's the nature of some fans to resist this. It is just possible that Amazon may do an OK job but many here have already made their decision.

    It's definitely a possibility. The primary concern is that streaming services haven't consistently handled major acquisitions effectively. I would have preferred if HBO had acquired the Bond series, to be honest. If Bond had to go to streaming, at least HBO has done things I like. But this is all highly subjective, so I'll leave it at that.
  • mtmmtm United Kingdom
    edited February 21 Posts: 17,067
    DarthDimi wrote: »
    patb wrote: »
    There was a time where nobody cared about 007. It's the nature of art that it evolves and keeps moving in different directions. And it's the nature of some fans to resist this. It is just possible that Amazon may do an OK job but many here have already made their decision.

    It's definitely a possibility. The primary concern is that streaming services haven't consistently handled major acquisitions effectively. I would have preferred if HBO had acquired the Bond series, to be honest. If Bond had to go to streaming, at least HBO has done things I like. But this is all highly subjective, so I'll leave it at that.

    Yeah they are a bit more creative. Or Apple to be honest, their quality stays pretty high (ignoring that awful De Anas spy movie thing).

    I wonder if we'll stop getting all of these dreadful processed movies where someone learns that someone in their family has been a superspy all this time now that one of the streamers has the definitive superspy.
  • Posts: 1,613
    Amazon has a lot of money. The important thing is to know who is going to be Bond's James Gunn.
  • Posts: 4,642
    The assumption is that Amazon will repeat the mistakes previously made (Star Wars the perfect example) rather than learn from them.
  • Jordo007Jordo007 Merseyside
    Posts: 2,673
    It's moments like this I'm really glad we have this forum to share our thoughts together
  • Posts: 6,735
    MaxCasino wrote: »
    After reflecting on this news all day, I'm ready to share my thoughts.

    Cons (and how to make them positive):

    More or less what everyone says about Amazon looking at it creatively. They might just view it as a product. But I realize that movies and creativity are basically a business. EON knew this too. So don't throw them completely under the bus, yet. Also, remember that Bond has generally known how to correct itself. History does repeat itself, as cinematic Bond has shown.

    Not knowing if they have a dedicated group for the series yet (namely writers). Hopefully not Purvis and Wade (see below). It's a shame that Star Wars had a writers room at the beginning of the Disney takeover, and it seemed to only to the main screenwriters of the individual movies by the end of the original run (TROS). Get a mix of Bond fans and historians with proven talented (not just Oscar Bait like EON did with the last 3 movies) writers.

    Amazon not learning from Disney with the Star Wars takeover. There are a lot of lessons to be learned in more ways than one. You're planning a story arc? Having everyone on the general same creative page. Realize that you can't play it safe in one part of the story. Then take all risks possible in the immediate story after. Try to simply mix both styles together in the same story arc overall. It's tricky, but it can be the best way to win both sides of homage and new directions.

    Pros:

    Hopefully, getting a leading actor(s) who gets too much creative control. Michael and Barbara gave PB too little creative control, and DC WAY TOO MUCH creative control. Over almost every little detail possible. The five other Bond actors NEVER got even a nose hair of that creative power of what DC got, combined. So Amazon can also tell the actor that they are expendable, for better or worse.

    The thing I'm looking forward to most, hopefully: new writing blood. After some of the Purvis and Wade recent comments, it's time for them to go. If they don't know how to write a Bond villain with so many openly real life influences, it's simply time to go. In particular, if we're getting so many new things happening. In the words of Gareth Mallory, "You've had a great run. You should leave with dignity." Although for them, that moment has passed. I don't blame them for everything that went wrong in the last 27 years, but it's just simply time to move on. I will always be thankful for them, believe me.

    I would be happier with Bond spinoffs being set more in the literary world than the cinematic one. However, it has to be done carefully with quantity. IFP shouldn’t start another series until a series or one-off is done. Double-00 book 3 and The Q Mysteries 1 should be the exception. Due to Kim Sherwood’s real life troubles. So that may be a positive about Amazon buying James Bond, they could have a regular schedule for Bond books, as well as movies.

    Hopefully, this means that EON can make a project or two under their own company. I know MGW has been a great asset to keeping Bond alive, but some of his ideas and comments prove that Gregg SHOULD arguably take over. Barbara clearly can't get over Craig. We've known that for years now. I will say that she is a better producer and overlooker than Kathleen Kennedy has been for sure. If she stayed on, we could have gotten a DC Bond comeback akin to RDJ becoming Dr. Doom in the MCU. Craig has moved on (from Bond, at least). Even Richard Maibaum kept writing scripts despite not liking Moore and Lazenby. While guilty of criticizing others while praising himself, he always tried to help keep Bond alive, akin to Cubby. So, we can expect some new recurring names around for awhile, for sure.

    Overall, times are changing. However, James Bond has survived along with other legendary characters, Sherlock Holmes, Batman, Superman, Tarzan, Robin Hood as having different generations help it survive. So don't worry my fellow James Bond fans, James Bond will return. When and how we don't know, sure. But it'll be fun to speculate until that happens!

    I endorse this post ;) Very well put.

    Question, and this one comes from a Babs defender and fan (well, not since yesterday's decision. I'm genuinely angry with her, and no one can change that, I thought she was an Iron Lady. Her decision left me truly disappointed). But this is the question. How will we react, as a bunch, if Amazon surprises with some sort of GE or CR? Hiring the right folk, taking on some good writers, caring for the property because they want to, at least, get things going well for their golden goose? I mean, what if we get surprised? Daniel Craig showed us that expectations can be subverted all the way. So, why not try and steer ourselves into some positivism and try to voice our opinions on how this SHOULD work? Because you can bet there'll be corporate and artistic people from Amazon looking at us and to our opinions now.

    One thing that everyone always answered me for years when I complained about the producers was that "they didn't owe us anything", I guess that yes, that sentiment was exactly right. They didn't owe us to endure, to not cave in to the money mongers. Money is the world's only ruler now. It always ruled, but amongst other things, like principles, and ideals. Now, there's only money. And it ruins everything, because to make money you have to please them all, and there's just no pleasing them all.

  • Posts: 4,642
    @Univex Some good points. IMHO, Amazon is not the enemy here. It's short termism. If they want a quick return, they will flood the market with junk of any description. But we all know where that ends. If they think longer term and focus on quality, the brand will just keep on giving.
  • Posts: 1,613
    I don't want to defend Barbara but it was always business. It was before and it is now.
  • Posts: 2,029
    If Babs and Michaels hearts were not into making Bond films anymore then this was the right thing to do.


    Also, I recommend everybody to go listen to Calvin Dyson and the Bond experience live stream. They did last night. They make a lot of good points on this Amazon Bond decision.
  • Mendes4LyfeMendes4Lyfe The long road ahead
    Posts: 8,646
    fjdinardo wrote: »
    If Babs and Michaels hearts were not into making Bond films anymore then this was the right thing to do.

    True, Amazon is a better home for Bond than Disney or Netflix.
  • ImpertinentGoonImpertinentGoon Everybody needs a hobby.
    Posts: 1,364
    fjdinardo wrote: »
    If Babs and Michaels hearts were not into making Bond films anymore then this was the right thing to do.


    Also, I recommend everybody to go listen to Calvin Dyson and the Bond experience live stream. They did last night. They make a lot of good points on this Amazon Bond decision.

    Could you paraphrase?
  • Posts: 6,735
    patb wrote: »
    @Univex Some good points. IMHO, Amazon is not the enemy here. It's short termism. If they want a quick return, they will flood the market with junk of any description. But we all know where that ends. If they think longer term and focus on quality, the brand will just keep on giving.
    Exactly!
    I don't want to defend Barbara but it was always business. It was before and it is now.

    That is not on her defense. Quite the contrary, since for years they have build the notion it was a family business, and that, given that particular, nature, it was as close to their hearts as family itself is. They’ve just sold a relative for a billion, a loving relative at that. Tiredness isn’t a good excuse either, most of us have even more tiresome jobs, and are payed bellow our achievments and worth. It’s all just very disappointing, no way around that.

    That being said, we should now elaborate on how this new scenario can work.
  • Just learned the news. I am not happy. Bond's about to get milked to death, Marvel style.

    Had to log in after 4 years or so away to express my displeasure.
  • Mendes4LyfeMendes4Lyfe The long road ahead
    Posts: 8,646
    Univex wrote: »
    patb wrote: »
    @Univex Some good points. IMHO, Amazon is not the enemy here. It's short termism. If they want a quick return, they will flood the market with junk of any description. But we all know where that ends. If they think longer term and focus on quality, the brand will just keep on giving.
    Exactly!
    I don't want to defend Barbara but it was always business. It was before and it is now.

    That is not on her defense. Quite the contrary, since for years they have build the notion it was a family business, and that, given that particular, nature, it was as close to their hearts as family itself is. They’ve just sold a relative for a billion, a loving relative at that. Tiredness isn’t a good excuse either, most of us have even more tiresome jobs, and are payed bellow our achievments and worth. It’s all just very disappointing, no way around that.

    That being said, we should now elaborate on how this new scenario can work.

    There's already speculation that Christopher Nolan and his wife Emma Thomas could be brought in to produce the films. In the past it never made sense, because them and EON would be stepping on eachothers toes, but that's no longer a problem. People also want Johnathon Nolan involved since he is already affiliated with Amazon.
  • Posts: 6,735
    Univex wrote: »
    patb wrote: »
    @Univex Some good points. IMHO, Amazon is not the enemy here. It's short termism. If they want a quick return, they will flood the market with junk of any description. But we all know where that ends. If they think longer term and focus on quality, the brand will just keep on giving.
    Exactly!
    I don't want to defend Barbara but it was always business. It was before and it is now.

    That is not on her defense. Quite the contrary, since for years they have build the notion it was a family business, and that, given that particular, nature, it was as close to their hearts as family itself is. They’ve just sold a relative for a billion, a loving relative at that. Tiredness isn’t a good excuse either, most of us have even more tiresome jobs, and are payed bellow our achievments and worth. It’s all just very disappointing, no way around that.

    That being said, we should now elaborate on how this new scenario can work.

    There's already speculation that Christopher Nolan and his wife Emma Thomas could be brought in to produce the films. In the past it never made sense, because them and EON would be stepping on eachothers toes, but that's no longer a problem. People also want Johnathon Nolan involved since he is already affiliated with Amazon.

    Chris has bigger things going on and a contract with another major studio. As producers? Maybe. Now, Johnathan Nolan would be truly interesting.
  • Posts: 2,029
    Did Nolan start filming his new movie? If not when he’s starting, and when should that be done?
  • 4EverBonded4EverBonded the Ballrooms of Mars
    Posts: 12,501
    Just a small observation: With Barbara and Michael in charge, us knowing we were with EON all these years, it wasn't just a family run business ... it felt like OUR family, a family we were part of ... and that makes this hurt on a personal level in a way that any other corporate change in filmmaking could. It hits differently. I feel like part of my family has left us.
  • Mendes4LyfeMendes4Lyfe The long road ahead
    Posts: 8,646
    fjdinardo wrote: »
    Did Nolan start filming his new movie? If not when he’s starting, and when should that be done?

    The film releases July 2026.
  • SkyfallCraigSkyfallCraig Rome, Italy
    edited February 21 Posts: 637
    zb007 wrote: »
    patb wrote: »
    Fleming himself created a perfect "universe" to be expanded upon by having at least six other agents with a boss and supporting characters that we know and love. I find it strange that some Bond fans would not be interested in a 005 movie (for example) no matter how great the writing, acting, direction was, purely because Bond is not in the movie. There is huge potential here...whether Amazon are up to the job is a different question.

    Because people don’t care about the likes of 005 it might be in there but that doesn’t mean we need to see anything based on it

    I'd watch it.
    Your views don't necesarily allign with "people"'s one
  • Posts: 2,029
    fjdinardo wrote: »
    Did Nolan start filming his new movie? If not when he’s starting, and when should that be done?

    The film releases July 2026.

    That means they could probably get him for a November 2027 release for Bond 26 at the earliest
  • edited February 21 Posts: 4,613
    It's probably speculation (it all is at this point) but why would Nolan be any more likely to do a Bond film under Amazon than he was under EON? If he had issues with creative control and was committed to his own projects before I don't see a reason why that'd have changed.

    But obviously we're in uncharted waters. Maybe Amazon will go down the route of giving very established directors a good deal of creative control from film to film (although it remains to be seen in practice). So we'll see.
  • SkyfallCraigSkyfallCraig Rome, Italy
    Posts: 637
    I think the big thing they are addressing today is to push a movie as soon as possible since we only had 1 in the last ten years.
    I can't see them waiting 2 years to start production.
    Also, based on what they did with the other IPs (Ryan, Reacher, etc) I can see they focusing on a big name to star, not on a big one to direct.
  • Mendes4LyfeMendes4Lyfe The long road ahead
    Posts: 8,646
    007HallY wrote: »
    It's probably speculation (it all is at this point) but why would Nolan be any more likely to do a Bond film under Amazon than he was under EON? If he had issues with creative control and was committed to his own projects before I don't see a reason why that'd have changed.

    But obviously we're in uncharted waters. Maybe Amazon will go down the route of giving very established directors a good deal of creative control from film to film (although it remains to be seen in practice). So we'll see.

    Well if we're assuming that Amazon is basing it's decisions on Algorthims, then at least in theory they should be far less likely to have story/character disagreements with Nolan than Barbara was, because she was so invested in each aspect.
  • Posts: 6,735
    We don’t even know if his brother shares his love for Bond. Do we?
  • NoTimeToLiveNoTimeToLive Jamaica
    edited February 21 Posts: 119
    fjdinardo wrote: »
    If Babs and Michaels hearts were not into making Bond films anymore then this was the right thing to do.

    True, Amazon is a better home for Bond than Disney or Netflix.

    Agreed. As much as I dislike Amazon, at least their products don't look cheap. Most of the Star Wars shows look very cheap (Kenobi, Acolyte, even The Mandalorian at times) and most of Netflix products do too, with the exception of Stranger Things. The Boys has some poor writing but at least the CGI and the sets look on point.

    Besides, one of the worst thing about Disney's Star Wars is how everything gets... watered down. Look at all the self-aware Marvel-stlye humor, and the villains are cheaper versions of what we encountered before. Boba Fett was a cool assassin bounty hunter in the original trilogy and even more so in EU, then they made a show about him and he was just a poor idiot who wandered aimlessly around.
  • Mendes4LyfeMendes4Lyfe The long road ahead
    Posts: 8,646
    I think the big thing they are addressing today is to push a movie as soon as possible since we only had 1 in the last ten years.
    I can't see them waiting 2 years to start production.
    Also, based on what they did with the other IPs (Ryan, Reacher, etc) I can see they focusing on a big name to star, not on a big one to direct.

    It's that's true, then Martin Campbell can be expecting a call in the next few days. He's about the only director available on such short notice, everyone is busy.
  • Posts: 6,735
    Thing is, there is no script…
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