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Interesting article. In spite of this, they still managed to get the next film out 2 years later. I wonder if Michael and Barbara have lost that skill?
I'm wondering, now as well if Eon may still be planning to go with Boyle and Hodge's script. That might lesson the delay.
What bothers me is Eon seemed happy to drop the B25 they were working on when Boyle pitched his concept and may be back to square one. What a complete waste of time if that's the case. They were well into pre-production, casting underway, probably location scouting, hiring the crew for Boyle, etc. To have to start the entire process over again is extremely frustrating. Going back to the Purvis/Wade script would probably entail starting from scratch, if the process wasn't too far along when they dropped it for Boyle.
Based on nothing but instinct I do wonder whether Boyle was overwhelmed by the scale and perhaps felt unable to accommodate the producers’ requests. It happens. Balancing your creative vision with an avalanche of other creative and commercial obligations is no small feat.
Whether Boyle walked or was ‘let go’, I’ve every faith Barbara made the call for the right reasons, so can we cool it on the ‘EON are cancer’ vibe?
Anything could happen right now, intel is scarce. I’m waiting to hear a little more before speculating further.
1. Unnecessary fan-wankery (e. g. the DB5, Blofeld)
2. Can't balance the tone
3. Doesn't get Bond and the other characters and puts too much focus on the Scooby Gang
4. Decided to rehash Skyfall tracks into SPECTRE
5. He's obsessed with personal angles and origin stories
I hope they stay with Hodge's script as I rate him as a screenwriter - and EON must have seen something in it that they want to pursue and can now mold to their own style. Wouldn't be surprised if it's Hodge's script with a Purvis and Wade rewrite?
Craig, at least on the face of it, appears to have too much power.
Not that I thought Mendes did anything special, but ultimately he was the Director, as was Boyle for a time. If Craig can't get on with making a film without winging then he is the problem.
I admit it's all speculation. I wouldn't at all be surprised if Boyle wanted to do something too outlandish, or un-Bond like that was a deal breaker. The worry is that Craig seems to be the common denominator.
Honestly I really can't see how they'll find a good replacement in such a few time... they need to find a director (a good/experienced one, with a name, B25 is Craig's last and it MUST be an event), polish the Hodge script (or even the P&W one) in the likes of the new helmer etc etc in such a few time... december is right around the corner...
Right now I only see one director who can save the movie. One director who's capable of writing and directing a big scale blockbuster, without losing time in second hand rewrites... and it's McQuarrie (aka the new JJ Abrams of spy action movies). But unfortunately I don't see this happening...
Hope I'm wrong but I'm expecting a delay now. I must say that I'm really upset with EoN. Spectre came out 3 years ago and finding themselves without a director 3 months prior to principal photography is just unacceptable. I really really love Spectre, I absolutely loved what they did in the last 4 movies and I really really don't get why so many people here hate Mendes... but now is really disappointing how EoN is managing 25.
I wonder if the distributor had some input into this decision. Presumably they did, although they aren't mentioned in the announcement.
Full agreement; I also feel it’ll be the Hodge script (perhaps with a few doctors on board to do the polishes)...
And yes, wondered if a director like Boyle was overwhelmed with the scale...
I'm fairly certain the Hodge script will be scrapped entirely. Hodge is Boyle's writer, and the two seem generally inseparable. Hodge will leave with Boyle and the script along with them. EON's going to start from scratch.
As far as “c-list” directors really what did Peter Hunt or John Glen do pre or post bond of note?
Again my opinion screw the embargo on American directors and get a quality director no matter what the nationalality bring in a script doctor to fix Hodge’s script (which EON owns) and there you go.
I was joking with Howard but he would be the best of both worlds a workman director who will do exactly what the studio wants who has Oscar cred while I prefer Mcquarrie (as with him you get an accomplished writer and director to save the film) but heck I would take Roger Spottiswood back or .... even... Michael Apted so long as it’s not Mendes or Tamhori I will be fine and so will bond 25 (hat being said if I had to pick I would go with Tamhori over Mendes and yes I know die another day sucks but the first hour is actually really good it’s just the second hour is so bad)
Truly shocking.
My opinion is that Boyle wanted Bond 25 to be a hard R and the rest of the group wanted PG13 my guess is Boyle’s idea could be done either way without losing too much hence why I have a feeling they are staying on task
And the more I think about this the more I think Mcquarrie was offered as much money as he wants to come in and I think once he signs the dotted line they will announce it. It’s weird to me that within an hour of Boyle leaving he was rumored
Hodge doesn’t own the script, EoN does. They can put flying monkeys in it if they so please.
At this point it doesn’t matter if Hodge stays or goes. They will bring on some polishers to do what’s needed (especially once a new director comes on board).
I suppose EON can have a face saving way out if Boyle falls on his sword. He hasn't said anything about this yet, and his comments will either help, or hurt the future of this production. I hope they have an arrangement with him so that he takes the hit for the team.
The funny thing is Boyle initially said that his involvement would be dependent on the script being approved. It was, and then he was announced, along with the distributor (who presumably signed up for the vision that was proposed). Implementing someone else's vision will be a challenge, particularly the vision of someone like Boyle, who is a very individualistic film maker.
The Guardian has a piece today whereby they state: “Industry insiders suspect these differences revolve around the script, which Boyle wrote with his long-term collaborator John Hodge.”
I’m not going to be so bold as to say that it is this most definitely 100% the cause, but it was the original dealbreaker to begin with that Boyle direct B25 if Eon went with his concept. Maybe they liked whatever draft they last saw enough to advance but on the proviso that further changes were made and met? These changes could’ve been what broke the proverbial camal’s back. Until further news is incoming, we’ll have to hold off from making too many sweeping assessments.
For now, we’ll just have to be content with @peter and @RC7 sharing their insightful thoughts on the matter.
We don't know that.
Universal has won the rights to internationally distribute the upcoming Bond 25 film directed by Danny Boyle.
Daniel Craig will return as 007 and Boyle will direct from an original screenplay by John Hodge. The film will begin production December 3, and MGM will release the film in the United States on Nov. 8, 2019 through a partnership with Annapurna Pictures.
Universal will release the film in the U.K. Oct 25, 2019.
MGM will retain digital and worldwide television distribution rights. Universal will also handle physical home entertainment distribution.
“We are delighted to announce that the exceptionally talented Danny Boyle will be directing Daniel Craig in his fifth outing as James Bond in the 25th installment of the franchise,” said EON Productions’ Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli. “We will begin shooting ‘Bond 25’ at Pinewood Studios in December with our partners at MGM and are thrilled that Universal will be our international distributor.”
https://variety.com/2018/film/news/bond-25-universal-international-rights-1202822141/
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Here are Boyle's comments from March of this year:
“We are working on a script right now. And it all depends on that really. I am working on a Richard Curtis script at the moment,” he began.
“We hope to start shooting that in six or seven weeks. Then Bond would be right at the end of the year.
He continued: “We’ve got an idea, John Hodge, the screenwriter, and I have got this idea, and John is writing it at the moment.
“And it all depends on how it turns out. It would be foolish of me to give any of it away.”
https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/films/932277/James-Bond-25-Danny-Boyle-director-Daniel-Craig-release-date
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This is the 2nd time an 'official' announcement about this film has proven to be incorrect. The first time was when they announced P&W as writers.
So anything is possible going forward.
I dunno, I don't think B Broccoli would think like that. Also, McQuarrie may not want to spend seven months of intensive filming after MI's long shoot - which was extended due to Cruise's injury. But the main thing is McQuarrie is American and Eon appear to be allergic to American directors! Can't see them choosing him.
"Sole rights," no (considering that Bond and other recurring characters are not theirs). But I'm guessing Boyle and Hodge retain some control over aspects of the script, much like Donald Westlake when he wrote a novel based on his story treatments.
All it means is that if the script gets used, Hodges is entitled to a screenplay credit even if someone else changes elements of it or rewrites it entirely but keeps the core concepts. The script is the least complicated thing here, really. Eon own the content - Hodges has rights as the author but only to a credit, not to prevent it being used. Problems would only arise if it was used and Hodges wasn't credited.
It's finding someone to take on the project despite the bad taste left by Boyle's departure that is the real issue, not the script.
Bit over the top.
Personally, I think the majority will still be used. But with whatever changes Eon wanted made.