No new James Bond films until MGM is sold

(HMG) – There will be no new James Bond films being made until the future of movie studio MGM is settled.  Daniel Craig was set to return as 007 for a third time and the screenplay for what would be ‘Bond 23′ has been written by Neal Purvis and Robert Wade – who had previously scripted ‘Quantum of Solace’ and ‘Casino Royale’ – along with ‘Frost/Nixon’ writer Peter Morgan. Sam Mendes was rumored to be directing the movie, which was originally due for release in 2011 or 2012.

But filming has been thrown into chaos because famed media company MGM, was put up for sale last year after falling $3.7 billion in debt.  Producers Michael Wilson and Barbara Broccoli have released a joint statement to Variety saying, “Due to the continuing uncertainty surrounding the future of MGM and the failure to close a sale of the studio, we have suspended development on Bond 23 indefinitely. We do not know when development will resume and do not have a date for the release of Bond 23.”

Craig adds, “I have every confidence in Barbara and Michael’s decision and look forward to production resuming as quickly as possible.”