It has been a little more than a year Spectre hit theaters and since then, the story of the next installment in the James Bond franchise has been a revolving door of confusion.
According to my sources, James Bond bosses are said to be ‘panicking’ over the proposed 2018 film as they’ve not yet got a lead actor… Oo-er!
Producers are hoping Daniel Craig will return to the role but he’s yet to confirm whether he wants to take part.
MGM executives are reportedly at a “stalemate” with the 48-year-old star – with little contact between the camps.
An insider said: “Daniel and MGM are currently at a stalemate with him having not spoken to them about Bond.
“They have offered a bigger wage deal, and asked about his filming availability to his reps in 2017, but as yet they have not spoken to Daniel.
“They want Bond 25 out in October 2018, but currently they have no Bond, film dates or knowledge of when that will change.
“Daniel’s commitment is also a key part of whether Sony Pictures will come in to co-finance the film. So much is hanging in the air – and no-one knows.”
Sony and MGM have had a very successful partnership during the Daniel Craig era, with 2012’s Skyfall being the high watermark of that partnership.
The movie was met with a ton of praise from fans and critics and was the first movie in the franchise to ever cross $1 billion at the box office. But Spectre was a different story.
The flick was much more divisive among fans and critics and didn’t quite match Skyfall’s box office, but still brought in very respectable $880 million. But perhaps more importantly, the shoot was exhausting and reportedly took a huge toll on Craig.
In an interview very shortly after the movie wrapped, he famously said that he would rather“slash his wrists” than do another James Bond movie. However, he more recently walked back those comments and seemed more interested in returning – maybe.
The actor is currently working with Barbara Broccoli – executive director of the Bond films – on Broadway in New York where he is starring in Othello.
