Sean Connery was hailed as one of the most notable actors who ever played the iconic James Bond. His decades-long career as the famed British spy was undoubtedly the most unforgettable one, and it’s difficult to imagine had he not continued to star in the franchise.
Sean Connery in Thunderball
This was due to the fact that the original plan for the James Bond films was to kickstart it with the controversial Thunderball. Yes, the 1965 installment almost became the first release, and had it happened, it would have posed a great danger to Connery’s career.
James Bond Was Supposed To Begin With Thunderball
Thunderball is the fourth series in the James Bond films, and it was supposed to go first if it wasn’t for the number of controversies it faced. Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman, both Bond producers, worked on it in the early 1960s but...
Sean Connery in Thunderball
This was due to the fact that the original plan for the James Bond films was to kickstart it with the controversial Thunderball. Yes, the 1965 installment almost became the first release, and had it happened, it would have posed a great danger to Connery’s career.
James Bond Was Supposed To Begin With Thunderball
Thunderball is the fourth series in the James Bond films, and it was supposed to go first if it wasn’t for the number of controversies it faced. Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman, both Bond producers, worked on it in the early 1960s but...
- 5/10/2024
- by Ariane Cruz
- FandomWire
In Jay Roach's 1997 James Bond spoof "Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery," the film's villain, Dr. Evil (Mike Myers), aims to murder off his arch-nemesis by dropping him into a tank full of man-eating sharks. In a supervillainous twist, the sharks will be equipped with laser beams affixed to their heads. Dr. Evil says he likes his pets to have a well-cooked meal before eating. He then cackles maniacally. A lieutenant of his, however, informs Dr. Evil that buying sharks equipped with lasers is immensely difficult and that the tank is, instead, filled with flesh-eating sea bass. Dr. Evil isn't thrilled. "You know, I have one simple request," Dr. Evil says, "and that is to have sharks with frickin' laser beams attached to their heads!"
One cannot say if there's a direct connection to the above scene and a James Bond movie that Sean Connery once wrote, but there are a few uncanny similarities.
One cannot say if there's a direct connection to the above scene and a James Bond movie that Sean Connery once wrote, but there are a few uncanny similarities.
- 4/23/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
“It was all me, James. It’s always been me,” the villain played by Christoph Waltz reveals to super spy James Bond. “The author of all your pain.”
The name of that author? Ernst Stavro Blofeld. When Waltz revealed himself as Blofeld in 2015’s Spectre, he reversed a problem that had plagued the Bond franchise for decades: the long absence of 007’s greatest recurring arch-enemy and the huge stakes that came along with his every appearance.
How could the man who escaped every death trap and seduced every woman lose his man? How did the notoriously controlling Eon Productions, which owns the rights to Ian Fleming’s novels, let one of its most important characters slip through its hands?
Turns out, the true author of Bond’s pain is the copyright office and the he said/she said litigation that slows down big budget productions.
The Birth of Blofeld
Ernst...
The name of that author? Ernst Stavro Blofeld. When Waltz revealed himself as Blofeld in 2015’s Spectre, he reversed a problem that had plagued the Bond franchise for decades: the long absence of 007’s greatest recurring arch-enemy and the huge stakes that came along with his every appearance.
How could the man who escaped every death trap and seduced every woman lose his man? How did the notoriously controlling Eon Productions, which owns the rights to Ian Fleming’s novels, let one of its most important characters slip through its hands?
Turns out, the true author of Bond’s pain is the copyright office and the he said/she said litigation that slows down big budget productions.
The Birth of Blofeld
Ernst...
- 4/1/2024
- by Joe George
- Den of Geek
When it comes to the Sean Connery James Bond movies, the highest praise is usually reserved for "Goldfinger" or "Dr. No." The latter was, of course, Bond's on-screen debut, while the former introduced so many of the trademarks we've come to expect from the franchise, it's arguably even more of a Bond blueprint than "Dr. No."
But while it might not be considered the greatest James Bond film, Connery's fourth outing in the tux, "Thunderball," is a significant entry in the saga. The fourth Bond movie made $141 million, making it the most successful Bond at the time — a title it retained (adjusting for inflation) until 2012's "Skyfall." "Thunderball" was also the last time director Terrence Young would oversee a 007 movie, having helped define the character's fashion sense, humor, and bon vivant persona with "Dr. No." But the fourth Bond outing is also significant for the behind-the-scenes controversy that accompanied it.
But while it might not be considered the greatest James Bond film, Connery's fourth outing in the tux, "Thunderball," is a significant entry in the saga. The fourth Bond movie made $141 million, making it the most successful Bond at the time — a title it retained (adjusting for inflation) until 2012's "Skyfall." "Thunderball" was also the last time director Terrence Young would oversee a 007 movie, having helped define the character's fashion sense, humor, and bon vivant persona with "Dr. No." But the fourth Bond outing is also significant for the behind-the-scenes controversy that accompanied it.
- 9/19/2023
- by Joe Roberts
- Slash Film
The James Bond saga is about as well-established a film franchise as you can get. But somewhere, there's an alternate timeline in which the first ever Bond movie was directed by Alfred Hitchcock.
Today, there's a lot of discussion surrounding whether or not Christopher Nolan will finally be given a crack the secret agent. Nolan certainly seems up for directing a 007 entry, and has been for quite some time. With the Daniel Craig era drawing to a divisive close in "No Time To Die," there's every chance the revered British filmmaker could bring his cerebral approach to the next Bond outing. Of course, that would require producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson allowing him the complete creative control he demands.
But this isn't the first time a highly-regarded British director with a penchant for meticulous oversight has been touted as the ideal filmmaker to take on England's greatest spy.
Today, there's a lot of discussion surrounding whether or not Christopher Nolan will finally be given a crack the secret agent. Nolan certainly seems up for directing a 007 entry, and has been for quite some time. With the Daniel Craig era drawing to a divisive close in "No Time To Die," there's every chance the revered British filmmaker could bring his cerebral approach to the next Bond outing. Of course, that would require producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson allowing him the complete creative control he demands.
But this isn't the first time a highly-regarded British director with a penchant for meticulous oversight has been touted as the ideal filmmaker to take on England's greatest spy.
- 9/3/2023
- by Joe Roberts
- Slash Film
It was 40 years ago this month when the biggest battle on movie screens took place not between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader, but improbably enough, between James Bond and… James Bond.
In 1983, audiences got to choose between two films starring Ian Fleming’s famous secret agent: Octopussy, the sixth film to feature the debonair Roger Moore as British spy 007, and Never Say Never Again, the first movie in 12 years to star the original James Bond, Sean Connery. This was following his second departure from the wildly successful film franchise in 1971.
How did this come to pass? Why would two movie studios go head-to-head with competing films about the same character, and how was that legally possible in the first place? The answer is found in a complicated series of events that stretch back to the 1950s and the very origins of James Bond, even continuing well past 1983 and into the 2000s,...
In 1983, audiences got to choose between two films starring Ian Fleming’s famous secret agent: Octopussy, the sixth film to feature the debonair Roger Moore as British spy 007, and Never Say Never Again, the first movie in 12 years to star the original James Bond, Sean Connery. This was following his second departure from the wildly successful film franchise in 1971.
How did this come to pass? Why would two movie studios go head-to-head with competing films about the same character, and how was that legally possible in the first place? The answer is found in a complicated series of events that stretch back to the 1950s and the very origins of James Bond, even continuing well past 1983 and into the 2000s,...
- 6/13/2023
- by Don Kaye
- Den of Geek
Harrison Ford didn't exactly need a hit in 1989 when he signed on for "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade," but his agent was probably overjoyed that he was returning to the blockbuster franchise that broadened his appeal beyond "Star Wars." Though the character of Indiana Jones was not tailor made for Ford (Tom Selleck had been offered the role first), he'd imbued the whip-cracking archaeologist with the same roguish, seat-of-his-pants charm that made Han Solo such a dashing delight. Indy is certainly capable, but not overly confident. He's accident prone. He's constantly improvising his way out of peril, and, in doing so, piles more rough mileage on that middle-aged frame.
Moviegoers lined up to see Ford as Han and Indy, but they were less enthusiastic about his dramatic turns. He'd scored a surprise hit as a Philadelphia cop hiding out in Amish country in Peter Weir's "Witness," but found...
Moviegoers lined up to see Ford as Han and Indy, but they were less enthusiastic about his dramatic turns. He'd scored a surprise hit as a Philadelphia cop hiding out in Amish country in Peter Weir's "Witness," but found...
- 12/28/2022
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
Throughout 60 years of James Bond movies, there has been one constant: the music. Stars, directors and writers have come and gone. There has even been one hard reboot (in between "Die Another Day" and "Casino Royale"). But the main theme (credited to Monty Norman) and the scores have maintained the series' aesthetic continuity. Every time you buy a ticket for a Bond film, you know you're going to hear that brassy, syncopated bah-bah-buh before the opening credits hit.
The music, however, serves more than just a tonal purpose. When done well, the scores heighten the audience's emotional investment. Indeed, you could make a very credible argument that the franchise wouldn't have survived its first lead change without a brilliant theme.
The Film, And Music, That Saved James Bond
In the forthcoming documentary "The Sound of 007," which hits Amazon Prime Video on October 5, producer Barbara Broccoli succinctly explains the importance of the films' music,...
The music, however, serves more than just a tonal purpose. When done well, the scores heighten the audience's emotional investment. Indeed, you could make a very credible argument that the franchise wouldn't have survived its first lead change without a brilliant theme.
The Film, And Music, That Saved James Bond
In the forthcoming documentary "The Sound of 007," which hits Amazon Prime Video on October 5, producer Barbara Broccoli succinctly explains the importance of the films' music,...
- 9/23/2022
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
If you haven't subscribed for Season 17 of Cinema Retro, here's what you've been missing:
Issue #49
Lee Pfeiffer goes undercover for Robert Vaughn's spy thriller "The Venetian Affair" .
Cai Ross goes to hell for "Damien- Omen II"
Ernie Magnotta continues our "Elvis on Film" series with "Elvis: That's the Way It Is"..
Robert Leese scare up some memories of the cult classic "Carnival of Souls"
Dave Worrall and Lee Pfeiffer look back on the 1976 Sensurround sensation "Midway"
Remembering Sir Sean Connery
James Sherlock examines Stanley Kramer's pandemic Cold War classic "On the Beach".
Dave Worrall goes in search of the Disco Volante hydrofoil from "Thunderball"
Raymond Benson's Cinema 101 column
Gareth Owen's "Pinewood Past" column
Darren Allison reviews the latest soundtrack releases
Issue #50
50th anniversary celebration of "The French Connection" : Todd Garbarini interviews director William Friedkin
"Scars of Dracula": Mark Cerulli interviews stars Jenny Hanley and...
Issue #49
Lee Pfeiffer goes undercover for Robert Vaughn's spy thriller "The Venetian Affair" .
Cai Ross goes to hell for "Damien- Omen II"
Ernie Magnotta continues our "Elvis on Film" series with "Elvis: That's the Way It Is"..
Robert Leese scare up some memories of the cult classic "Carnival of Souls"
Dave Worrall and Lee Pfeiffer look back on the 1976 Sensurround sensation "Midway"
Remembering Sir Sean Connery
James Sherlock examines Stanley Kramer's pandemic Cold War classic "On the Beach".
Dave Worrall goes in search of the Disco Volante hydrofoil from "Thunderball"
Raymond Benson's Cinema 101 column
Gareth Owen's "Pinewood Past" column
Darren Allison reviews the latest soundtrack releases
Issue #50
50th anniversary celebration of "The French Connection" : Todd Garbarini interviews director William Friedkin
"Scars of Dracula": Mark Cerulli interviews stars Jenny Hanley and...
- 11/26/2021
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
To those of a certain generation, James Bond 007 will forever be defined by the way the original movie Bond, Sean Connery, played him. Recalling where you were when you saw Goldfinger for the first time has almost the same impact as many other momentous events in our young lives. As I was reminded this morning in an email from Darryl, my school buddy, “Remember when Bob Barr, you, and me went to see Goldfinger at the Palos Verdes Fox theater? We sat through it twice. Great memories.”
Ah, yes. He didn’t have to remind me. It seems like yesterday. We also sat through the Goofy cartoon short playing with it in order to do that. At that point I hadn’t even seen the first Bond film, Dr. No, and I do recall liking the second one, From Russia With Love, a lot. But Goldfinger was something else. It was,...
Ah, yes. He didn’t have to remind me. It seems like yesterday. We also sat through the Goofy cartoon short playing with it in order to do that. At that point I hadn’t even seen the first Bond film, Dr. No, and I do recall liking the second one, From Russia With Love, a lot. But Goldfinger was something else. It was,...
- 10/31/2020
- by Pete Hammond
- Deadline Film + TV
Normal 0 false false false En-us X-none X-none
“Shore Leave Shenanigans”
By Raymond Benson
British noir is a slightly different animal than American film noir, which began in the early 1940s in Hollywood and lasted until roughly 1958 (if one is considering “pure” film noir and its singular traits). The British version, as well as the French and Italian editions, usually concentrates on a more “straight” narrative form with less melodrama. It is probably more true-to-life, drawing from the naturalism of Italian Neo-realism, than its counterpart across the Atlantic. It is certainly less histrionic and heightened. Nevertheless, British noir contains hallmarks of noir everywhere—black-and-white, Expressionistic photography; cynical and hard-edged characters; femmes fatale; brutality; and, of course, a crime.
Pool of London is a 1951 Ealing Studios crime drama (the studio was still making other genre pictures other than comedies at this time) that takes place in and around that geographical site. The...
“Shore Leave Shenanigans”
By Raymond Benson
British noir is a slightly different animal than American film noir, which began in the early 1940s in Hollywood and lasted until roughly 1958 (if one is considering “pure” film noir and its singular traits). The British version, as well as the French and Italian editions, usually concentrates on a more “straight” narrative form with less melodrama. It is probably more true-to-life, drawing from the naturalism of Italian Neo-realism, than its counterpart across the Atlantic. It is certainly less histrionic and heightened. Nevertheless, British noir contains hallmarks of noir everywhere—black-and-white, Expressionistic photography; cynical and hard-edged characters; femmes fatale; brutality; and, of course, a crime.
Pool of London is a 1951 Ealing Studios crime drama (the studio was still making other genre pictures other than comedies at this time) that takes place in and around that geographical site. The...
- 5/29/2020
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
Claudine Auger, a French actress best known for her work as the Bond girl Domino in the 1965 James Bond movie “Thunderball” opposite Sean Connery, has died. She was 78.
The official James Bond Twitter account shared the news of her passing Friday.
“It’s with great sadness we have learnt that Claudine Auger, who played Domino Derval in ‘Thunderball” (1965), has passed away at the age of 78,” @007 said in a statement. “Our thoughts are with her family and friends.”
Also Read: 'No Time to Die' Trailer: Daniel Craig Suits Up as James Bond for 5th and Final Time (Video)
Auger, born Claudine Oger, was a French star who first won the Miss France pageant in 1958 and was the runner up for Miss World that same year. She studied dramatic acting at the Conservatory in Paris and made her uncredited film debut in 1958 in a film called “Christine.” She was then...
The official James Bond Twitter account shared the news of her passing Friday.
“It’s with great sadness we have learnt that Claudine Auger, who played Domino Derval in ‘Thunderball” (1965), has passed away at the age of 78,” @007 said in a statement. “Our thoughts are with her family and friends.”
Also Read: 'No Time to Die' Trailer: Daniel Craig Suits Up as James Bond for 5th and Final Time (Video)
Auger, born Claudine Oger, was a French star who first won the Miss France pageant in 1958 and was the runner up for Miss World that same year. She studied dramatic acting at the Conservatory in Paris and made her uncredited film debut in 1958 in a film called “Christine.” She was then...
- 12/20/2019
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Claudine Auger, the French actress who played Bond girl Dominique "Domino" Derval in 1965's Thunderball, died Wednesday in Paris, her talent agency announced. She was 78.
Born in Paris on April 26, 1941, Auger was a model who won the Miss France beauty contest and finished first runner-up in the 1958 Miss World pageant. While still in school, she was discovered by Jean Cocteau and appeared in his 1960 film Testament of Orpheus, and then in The Iron Mask (1962) and Games of Desire (1964).
During a vacation in Nassau, the Bahamas, Auger bumped into producer Kevin McClory, and he signed her ...
Born in Paris on April 26, 1941, Auger was a model who won the Miss France beauty contest and finished first runner-up in the 1958 Miss World pageant. While still in school, she was discovered by Jean Cocteau and appeared in his 1960 film Testament of Orpheus, and then in The Iron Mask (1962) and Games of Desire (1964).
During a vacation in Nassau, the Bahamas, Auger bumped into producer Kevin McClory, and he signed her ...
- 12/20/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Claudine Auger, the French actress who played Bond girl Dominique "Domino" Derval in 1965's Thunderball, died Wednesday in Paris, her talent agency announced. She was 78.
Born in Paris on April 26, 1941, Auger was a model who won the Miss France beauty contest and finished first runner-up in the 1958 Miss World pageant. While still in school, she was discovered by Jean Cocteau and appeared in his 1960 film Testament of Orpheus, and then in The Iron Mask (1962) and Games of Desire (1964).
During a vacation in Nassau, the Bahamas, Auger bumped into producer Kevin McClory, and he signed her ...
Born in Paris on April 26, 1941, Auger was a model who won the Miss France beauty contest and finished first runner-up in the 1958 Miss World pageant. While still in school, she was discovered by Jean Cocteau and appeared in his 1960 film Testament of Orpheus, and then in The Iron Mask (1962) and Games of Desire (1964).
During a vacation in Nassau, the Bahamas, Auger bumped into producer Kevin McClory, and he signed her ...
- 12/20/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Mark Harrison Aug 21, 2019
Bond 25 finally has a title with No Time to Die. We explore whether a 007 movie by any other name would smell as sweet.
This article comes from Den of Geek UK.
This feature contains spoilers for Spectre and various other James Bond films, along with some speculation about the plot of the next instalment.
Daniel Craig is Ian Fleming’s James Bond 007 in… No Time to Die. After months upon months of speculation, the 25th Bond movie from Eon Productions has its title. While some sections of fandom have greeted the news with a resounding “meh” this fairly basic version of a Fleming-flavored title lands squarely within the series’ unique naming conventions.
The literary tradition of James Bond is rooted in pulpy paperback adventures aimed at men, and the film series’ use of those recognizable titles over its first 20 years or so have carried the dramatic style...
Bond 25 finally has a title with No Time to Die. We explore whether a 007 movie by any other name would smell as sweet.
This article comes from Den of Geek UK.
This feature contains spoilers for Spectre and various other James Bond films, along with some speculation about the plot of the next instalment.
Daniel Craig is Ian Fleming’s James Bond 007 in… No Time to Die. After months upon months of speculation, the 25th Bond movie from Eon Productions has its title. While some sections of fandom have greeted the news with a resounding “meh” this fairly basic version of a Fleming-flavored title lands squarely within the series’ unique naming conventions.
The literary tradition of James Bond is rooted in pulpy paperback adventures aimed at men, and the film series’ use of those recognizable titles over its first 20 years or so have carried the dramatic style...
- 8/21/2019
- Den of Geek
By Mark Cerulli
Ian Fleming’s rise from newspaper journalist to worldwide best-selling author was not all jet-setting glamor. In the early 1960s, with the Bond literary series well underway, Fleming was involved in a grueling legal battle regarding his novel, Thunderball – which later became the record-breaking 1965 Eon film. The strain of the trial may well have contributed to Fleming’s death the following year at the relatively young age of 56…
Now the daughter of the original screenwriter, Jack Whittingham, has compiled a unique chronology of the entire episode titled, appropriately enough, "The Thunderball Story". Sylvan Mason, an accomplished writer and photographer in her own right, has produced a spiral-bound, limited edition booklet of the behind-the-scenes battle that played out in British courts in 1963 and gave producer Kevin McClory the right to remake the story, eventually resulting in 1983’s Never Say Never Again.
Ms. Mason’s book reproduces a number of key documents and photographs,...
Ian Fleming’s rise from newspaper journalist to worldwide best-selling author was not all jet-setting glamor. In the early 1960s, with the Bond literary series well underway, Fleming was involved in a grueling legal battle regarding his novel, Thunderball – which later became the record-breaking 1965 Eon film. The strain of the trial may well have contributed to Fleming’s death the following year at the relatively young age of 56…
Now the daughter of the original screenwriter, Jack Whittingham, has compiled a unique chronology of the entire episode titled, appropriately enough, "The Thunderball Story". Sylvan Mason, an accomplished writer and photographer in her own right, has produced a spiral-bound, limited edition booklet of the behind-the-scenes battle that played out in British courts in 1963 and gave producer Kevin McClory the right to remake the story, eventually resulting in 1983’s Never Say Never Again.
Ms. Mason’s book reproduces a number of key documents and photographs,...
- 2/8/2019
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
Mark Harrison Oct 14, 2016
With the question of who's playing James Bond in James Bond 25 unresolved, we look back at the casting conundrums 007 has faced before.
Since 1962, fewer men have played James Bond than have walked on the moon. Despite the relatively long turnaround of the role, the subject of who might follow in the footsteps of Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig in the future has fuelled many column inches and tabloid splashes.
It feels as if speculation about the seventh 007 in Eon Productions' long-lived spy franchise has been at fever pitch since this time last year, when Craig was doing the promotional rounds for Spectre and commented that he would rather “slash [his] wrists” than play Bond again. It's only after a year of constant reports on the subject that his far more optimistic comments at last weekend's New Yorker Festival...
With the question of who's playing James Bond in James Bond 25 unresolved, we look back at the casting conundrums 007 has faced before.
Since 1962, fewer men have played James Bond than have walked on the moon. Despite the relatively long turnaround of the role, the subject of who might follow in the footsteps of Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig in the future has fuelled many column inches and tabloid splashes.
It feels as if speculation about the seventh 007 in Eon Productions' long-lived spy franchise has been at fever pitch since this time last year, when Craig was doing the promotional rounds for Spectre and commented that he would rather “slash [his] wrists” than play Bond again. It's only after a year of constant reports on the subject that his far more optimistic comments at last weekend's New Yorker Festival...
- 10/12/2016
- Den of Geek
Following James Bond’s out of this world experience in the financially successful (665 million, adjusted for inflation) if artistically vapid Moonraker, the series’ sole producer, Albert Broccoli, thought it best to venture in a different direction, one that would feel slightly more grounded, all the while still playing on the strengths of his star: cool wit, affable mannerism and charm. A new director in John Glenn was now on board, who would go on to direct every single entry from the 80s, including Timothy Dalton’s two adventures. A new production designer in Peter Lamont was also now in charge of sets. Both had worked their way up in the ‘Bond family business’ so to speak, and, along with the leftover story elements from the far grittier Ian Fleming novels, the 007 films of the early 80s would take on a different tone and feel from the voodoo, space travel and...
- 11/5/2015
- by Edgar Chaput
- SoundOnSight
Spectre
Written by John Logan, Neal Purvis, Robert Wade & Jez Butterworth
Directed by Sam Mendes
UK/USA, 2015
After the critical and commercial success of 2012’s Skyfall, expectations were soaring for the latest Bond adventure, Spectre. Whether or not it meets those lofty standards probably depends upon your affinity for the franchise. General audiences attracted to the simple, action-driven engines of Daniel Craig’s previous efforts will be disappointed by the methodical pacing. Disciples of Bond, however, will love director Sam Mendes’ tribute to the franchise’s more classical elements. Spectre succeeds as a complete story rather than standing on the shoulders of innovative set pieces. Not only is it Craig’s best Bond film, it’s the most definitive artistic statement on the super-spy since On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.
**Possible spoilers ahead**
The events following Skyfall have left MI6 in ruins, the 00-Division in flux, and the international...
Written by John Logan, Neal Purvis, Robert Wade & Jez Butterworth
Directed by Sam Mendes
UK/USA, 2015
After the critical and commercial success of 2012’s Skyfall, expectations were soaring for the latest Bond adventure, Spectre. Whether or not it meets those lofty standards probably depends upon your affinity for the franchise. General audiences attracted to the simple, action-driven engines of Daniel Craig’s previous efforts will be disappointed by the methodical pacing. Disciples of Bond, however, will love director Sam Mendes’ tribute to the franchise’s more classical elements. Spectre succeeds as a complete story rather than standing on the shoulders of innovative set pieces. Not only is it Craig’s best Bond film, it’s the most definitive artistic statement on the super-spy since On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.
**Possible spoilers ahead**
The events following Skyfall have left MI6 in ruins, the 00-Division in flux, and the international...
- 11/3/2015
- by J.R. Kinnard
- SoundOnSight
MGM/Sony Pictures
We’re mere weeks away from the release of Spectre, and James Bond fans everywhere have been waiting over forty years for this movie. Because, finally, we’ll get the chance to see 007 once again go up against his famed criminal adversaries in the form of Spectre!
Ever since Spectre’s departure from the franchise in the early seventies, the Bond series has lost something, with attempts to recreate it in the form of Quantum falling pretty flat. Thankfully, from what we’ve seen of the new film so far, it looks like director Sam Mendes is on the right track, once again pay homage to the Bond canon, just as he did with Skyfall. But exactly who are the titular group?
Well, Spectre stands for Special Executive for Counter-intelligence, Terrorism, Revenge and Extortion. They’re an international criminal organisation whose schemes drive the plots of many...
We’re mere weeks away from the release of Spectre, and James Bond fans everywhere have been waiting over forty years for this movie. Because, finally, we’ll get the chance to see 007 once again go up against his famed criminal adversaries in the form of Spectre!
Ever since Spectre’s departure from the franchise in the early seventies, the Bond series has lost something, with attempts to recreate it in the form of Quantum falling pretty flat. Thankfully, from what we’ve seen of the new film so far, it looks like director Sam Mendes is on the right track, once again pay homage to the Bond canon, just as he did with Skyfall. But exactly who are the titular group?
Well, Spectre stands for Special Executive for Counter-intelligence, Terrorism, Revenge and Extortion. They’re an international criminal organisation whose schemes drive the plots of many...
- 10/15/2015
- by Percival Constantine
- Obsessed with Film
Daniel Craig will make his 007 comeback later this year with the release of Spectre, a continuation of the story started in Sam Mendes's Skyfall. Craig has re-energised the Bond franchise since his debut in 2006's Casino Royale, and all signs point towards Spectre being another worthy addition to the series.
Here's a rundown of everything you need to know about Spectre ahead of its cinema debut on October 26, 2015.
Sam Smith is performing the theme song, 'Writing's on the Wall'
Sorry, Ellie Goulding and Radiohead, the music star lending their voice to Spectre is none other than Grammy and Brit Awards winner Sam Smith.
Smith's track will be called 'Writing's on the Wall' and is available to buy and stream from September 25. As a bit of tasty trivia, Bond fans, he's the first British male solo artist to record a Bond theme since Tom Jones's 'Thunderball' in 1965.
"I...
Here's a rundown of everything you need to know about Spectre ahead of its cinema debut on October 26, 2015.
Sam Smith is performing the theme song, 'Writing's on the Wall'
Sorry, Ellie Goulding and Radiohead, the music star lending their voice to Spectre is none other than Grammy and Brit Awards winner Sam Smith.
Smith's track will be called 'Writing's on the Wall' and is available to buy and stream from September 25. As a bit of tasty trivia, Bond fans, he's the first British male solo artist to record a Bond theme since Tom Jones's 'Thunderball' in 1965.
"I...
- 9/18/2015
- Digital Spy
Spectre trailer embraces Bond movies past: Who's lurking in the shadows?
Daniel Craig will make his 007 comeback later this year with the release of Spectre, a continuation of the story started in Sam Mendes's Skyfall. Craig has re-energised the Bond franchise since his debut in 2006's Casino Royale, and all signs point towards Spectre being another worthy addition to the series.
Digital Spy runs down everything you need to know about Spectre ahead of its cinema debut on October 23.
The new trailer is pretty spectacular
A helicopter doing a midair cork-screw, a tip of the hat to the On Her Majesty's Secret Service theme... and was that Blofeld? The latest trailer for Spectre is something of a corker and promises to be an homage-packed action-fest aiming to top Skyfall. Consider us excited.
A threat from James Bond's past will return
It's all in the title. Crime syndicate Spectre (Special Executive for Counter-Intelligence,...
Daniel Craig will make his 007 comeback later this year with the release of Spectre, a continuation of the story started in Sam Mendes's Skyfall. Craig has re-energised the Bond franchise since his debut in 2006's Casino Royale, and all signs point towards Spectre being another worthy addition to the series.
Digital Spy runs down everything you need to know about Spectre ahead of its cinema debut on October 23.
The new trailer is pretty spectacular
A helicopter doing a midair cork-screw, a tip of the hat to the On Her Majesty's Secret Service theme... and was that Blofeld? The latest trailer for Spectre is something of a corker and promises to be an homage-packed action-fest aiming to top Skyfall. Consider us excited.
A threat from James Bond's past will return
It's all in the title. Crime syndicate Spectre (Special Executive for Counter-Intelligence,...
- 7/22/2015
- Digital Spy
When Daniel Craig first stepped into the tuxedo of James Bond in Casino Royale, he faced off against a classic Bond villain straight out of the books. However, due to the legendary rights issues between Eon Productions and writer Kevin McClory, a new super villain agency had to be created to begin terrorizing the new Bond, and its name was Quantum. However,Quantum Of Solace's less than stellar response meant that the agency of evil wouldn't show up in Skyfall, leaving loose ends like the fate of Jesper Christensen's Mr. White up in the open. At least, it was open until now. Screen Rant picked up on an interview that Christensen had conducted with Euroman magazine, and he's apparently very hopeful that Mr. White will be coming back for Spectre. In fact, going by the statement he gave Euroman (included below,) he seems to have some knowledge that...
- 12/5/2014
- cinemablend.com
Welcome back, Spectre. We've been expecting you. Today, at a grand unveiling at the 007 stage at Pinewood Studios, director Sam Mendes revealed the title of the 24th James Bond film - and the follow-up to the franchise's first billion-dollar grosser, Skyfall - will be Spectre. You can check out an impressive motion poster over on Facebook.And, as Mendes intimated, Bond fans will know what that means. Spectre is, of course, the terrorist organisation that was a thorn in Bond's side throughout most of the early 007 films. It stands for Special Executive for Counter-Intelligence, Terrorism, Revenge And Extortion, and is not to be trifled with.Of late, Spectre has not had a presence in the Bond universe thanks to a long-running copyright battle between MGM and the estate of Kevin McClory, the producer of Thunderball and the unofficial Connery Bond, Never Say Never Again. That, however, was resolved in 2013, paving...
- 12/4/2014
- EmpireOnline
A couple weeks ago it was reported that Christoph Waltz was going to play the villain in Sam Mendes' Bond 24. It wasn't announced who exactly he would play, but today we have word that he will take on the role of none other than James Bond nemesis Ernst Stavro Blofeld!
Rumors of the character were sparked last year after MGM settled a lawsuit with writer Kevin McClory regarding the rights to the Blofeld character and the infamous Spectre organization. Now it looks there was a reason they made the settlement. When Bond 24 writer, John Logan, was asked about the character in a previous interview all he said was:
"You know, I think our villain's appropriate to the story we're telling."
Blofeld has been a part of six of the previous James Bond films that have been made. Sometimes his face is shown, other times we just hear his voice.
Rumors of the character were sparked last year after MGM settled a lawsuit with writer Kevin McClory regarding the rights to the Blofeld character and the infamous Spectre organization. Now it looks there was a reason they made the settlement. When Bond 24 writer, John Logan, was asked about the character in a previous interview all he said was:
"You know, I think our villain's appropriate to the story we're telling."
Blofeld has been a part of six of the previous James Bond films that have been made. Sometimes his face is shown, other times we just hear his voice.
- 11/24/2014
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
MGM, Amplify & Stage 6 Films
Shooting begins next month on the still untitled (or at least officially untitled) Bond 24 and from the looks of things, 007 should be prepared to face a familiar foe. According to the Daily Mail, Christoph Waltz, recently cast in the movie as the main villain (could he really have been anything else?), will be portraying the role of Ernst Stavro Blofeld, the recurring big baddie from the early Bond novels and films.
The two-time Oscar winner would bring all his European flare to play the devious, cunning foe, famous for his white cat and haunting scar. Sources say Blofeld will be “just as sinister as early incarnations, although a lot less campy” this time around and it will be a rebirth of sorts for Bond’s ultimate nemesis. He hasn’t appeared on screen since he was unceremoniously killed off in the opening title sequence of 1981’s For Your Eyes Only.
Shooting begins next month on the still untitled (or at least officially untitled) Bond 24 and from the looks of things, 007 should be prepared to face a familiar foe. According to the Daily Mail, Christoph Waltz, recently cast in the movie as the main villain (could he really have been anything else?), will be portraying the role of Ernst Stavro Blofeld, the recurring big baddie from the early Bond novels and films.
The two-time Oscar winner would bring all his European flare to play the devious, cunning foe, famous for his white cat and haunting scar. Sources say Blofeld will be “just as sinister as early incarnations, although a lot less campy” this time around and it will be a rebirth of sorts for Bond’s ultimate nemesis. He hasn’t appeared on screen since he was unceremoniously killed off in the opening title sequence of 1981’s For Your Eyes Only.
- 11/24/2014
- by Jamie Mulvaney
- Obsessed with Film
Earlier this month, we learned that Django Unchained actor Christoph Waltz had landed a role in the still-untitled Bond 24. At that time, it was anyone’s guess which character the Oscar winner would be playing, but many of us assumed, based on sources that said his character was “extremely cunning,” that he was locked in for the part of the film’s lead antagonist. Now, the Daily Mail has dropped a major bombshell, claiming that Waltz is playing none other than Bond’s most feared adversary: the dastardly Ernst Stavro Blofeld.
According to the publication, which has been right in the past, Eon Productions will announce come December that Waltz is playing “an unknown character called Franz Oberhauser, son of the late Hans Oberhauser, a ski instructor who acted as a father figure to Bond.” However, this announcement is simply a bit of misdirection on the studio’s part.
According to the publication, which has been right in the past, Eon Productions will announce come December that Waltz is playing “an unknown character called Franz Oberhauser, son of the late Hans Oberhauser, a ski instructor who acted as a father figure to Bond.” However, this announcement is simply a bit of misdirection on the studio’s part.
- 11/24/2014
- by Isaac Feldberg
- We Got This Covered
Spoilers: This article contains Bond 24 details some readers may wish to avoid.
A classic villain from James Bond's past is expected to return for the next 007 outing.
Oscar-winning Django Unchained star Christoph Waltz will be playing Ernst Stavro Blofeld, the bald nemesis of 007 first introduced in From Russia with Love, according to the Daily Mail.
A source reportedly said that the more serious tone of the Daniel Craig movies has led producers to "change the character to fit in with the new-look 007".
Blofeld was originally created by Ian Fleming and Kevin McClory for an abandoned James Bond movie project before Fleming used the character in his Thunderball novel.
The character featured prominently in You Only Live Twice (played by Donald Pleasence), On Her Majesty's Secret Service (Telly Savalas) and Diamonds Are Forever (Charles Gray), while also appearing in 1983's rogue Bond movie from McClory, Never Say Never Again.
Blofeld...
A classic villain from James Bond's past is expected to return for the next 007 outing.
Oscar-winning Django Unchained star Christoph Waltz will be playing Ernst Stavro Blofeld, the bald nemesis of 007 first introduced in From Russia with Love, according to the Daily Mail.
A source reportedly said that the more serious tone of the Daniel Craig movies has led producers to "change the character to fit in with the new-look 007".
Blofeld was originally created by Ian Fleming and Kevin McClory for an abandoned James Bond movie project before Fleming used the character in his Thunderball novel.
The character featured prominently in You Only Live Twice (played by Donald Pleasence), On Her Majesty's Secret Service (Telly Savalas) and Diamonds Are Forever (Charles Gray), while also appearing in 1983's rogue Bond movie from McClory, Never Say Never Again.
Blofeld...
- 11/24/2014
- Digital Spy
By Lee Pfeiffer
MGM and James Bond producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli feel they have their own license to kill--film projects, that is, that they allege violate their copyrights to the 007 character and series. MGM had warned Universal not to go forward with a spy movie titled Section 6 that purports to explore the fact-based origins of MI6 in the aftermath of Wwi. The Bond producers and MGM stated their concerns that leaked elements of the screenplay showed plot devices that they allege are clearly inspired by the works of Ian Fleming including the fact that British agents have been assigned licenses to kill and that they carry "00" status. Both of those attributes are fictional and are directly linked to Fleming's creation. MGM has filed suit this week against Universal and screenwriter Aaron Berg alleging that Section 6 is clearly based on elements of the Bond books and films.
MGM and James Bond producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli feel they have their own license to kill--film projects, that is, that they allege violate their copyrights to the 007 character and series. MGM had warned Universal not to go forward with a spy movie titled Section 6 that purports to explore the fact-based origins of MI6 in the aftermath of Wwi. The Bond producers and MGM stated their concerns that leaked elements of the screenplay showed plot devices that they allege are clearly inspired by the works of Ian Fleming including the fact that British agents have been assigned licenses to kill and that they carry "00" status. Both of those attributes are fictional and are directly linked to Fleming's creation. MGM has filed suit this week against Universal and screenwriter Aaron Berg alleging that Section 6 is clearly based on elements of the Bond books and films.
- 4/5/2014
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
News Simon Brew 10 Mar 2014 - 06:44
Liam Neeson was linked to the role of James Bond in the 1990s - and here's why he resisted it...
We missed this story, which popped up in the Hull Daily Mail the week before last. But we suspect that many of you may have missed it too, and thought you may be interested.
While promoting his new hit movie Non-Stop, Liam Neeson chatted about the role of James Bond, with which he was heavily linked in the 1990s. "I was heavily courted, let's put if that way, and I'm sure some other actors were too", he said.
So why did he turn it down?
"It was about 18 or 19 years ago, and my wife-to-be said 'if you play James Bond we're not getting married. And I had to take that on board, because I did want to marry her!'"
Neeson's of course referring to Natasha Richardson,...
Liam Neeson was linked to the role of James Bond in the 1990s - and here's why he resisted it...
We missed this story, which popped up in the Hull Daily Mail the week before last. But we suspect that many of you may have missed it too, and thought you may be interested.
While promoting his new hit movie Non-Stop, Liam Neeson chatted about the role of James Bond, with which he was heavily linked in the 1990s. "I was heavily courted, let's put if that way, and I'm sure some other actors were too", he said.
So why did he turn it down?
"It was about 18 or 19 years ago, and my wife-to-be said 'if you play James Bond we're not getting married. And I had to take that on board, because I did want to marry her!'"
Neeson's of course referring to Natasha Richardson,...
- 3/10/2014
- by simonbrew
- Den of Geek
Feature Michael Reed 21 Feb 2014 - 05:56
We take a look at some potential turning points that could have altered the Bond legacy significantly...
007 lists resurrection amongst his hobbies, but speculation is our game today. Your own ideal fantasy James Bond film probably depends on what sort of Bond you're into. If you like serious Bond, you probably consider it a crying shame that Timothy Dalton didn't get to make at least one more film. A fair proportion of the fandom consider Never Say Never Again to be one of the worst of the series, so for them, rolling the dice on a 1976 production with a different actor and a more exciting script would have been worth it.
Furthermore, a Sony Pictures produced rival film with, say, Liam Neeson in the late 1990s could have been fascinating. How about Connery returning to the role in his 60s? All of these possibilities...
We take a look at some potential turning points that could have altered the Bond legacy significantly...
007 lists resurrection amongst his hobbies, but speculation is our game today. Your own ideal fantasy James Bond film probably depends on what sort of Bond you're into. If you like serious Bond, you probably consider it a crying shame that Timothy Dalton didn't get to make at least one more film. A fair proportion of the fandom consider Never Say Never Again to be one of the worst of the series, so for them, rolling the dice on a 1976 production with a different actor and a more exciting script would have been worth it.
Furthermore, a Sony Pictures produced rival film with, say, Liam Neeson in the late 1990s could have been fascinating. How about Connery returning to the role in his 60s? All of these possibilities...
- 2/20/2014
- by sarahd
- Den of Geek
Universal Pictures
Skyfall screenwriter John Logan is busy working on the script for Bond 24, due for release on October 23rd, 2015, and though we know practically nothing about it other than that it will continue from and build on Skyfall, the fact that the legal battle between Kevin McClory and MGM is over is very telling indeed.
This means that several iconic Bond villains who were previously wrapped up in legal red tape, such as Blofeld, can now be rebooted, and there would surely be a line of actors going out the door to audition for such a prized role.
Whether the villain ends up being a new creation or a rebooted faithful, the real question is – who is going to play the bad guy? Casting a Bond villain is one of the crucial factors of the success of the movie: get it right and Javier Bardem steals the show,...
Skyfall screenwriter John Logan is busy working on the script for Bond 24, due for release on October 23rd, 2015, and though we know practically nothing about it other than that it will continue from and build on Skyfall, the fact that the legal battle between Kevin McClory and MGM is over is very telling indeed.
This means that several iconic Bond villains who were previously wrapped up in legal red tape, such as Blofeld, can now be rebooted, and there would surely be a line of actors going out the door to audition for such a prized role.
Whether the villain ends up being a new creation or a rebooted faithful, the real question is – who is going to play the bad guy? Casting a Bond villain is one of the crucial factors of the success of the movie: get it right and Javier Bardem steals the show,...
- 1/22/2014
- by Jack Pooley
- Obsessed with Film
Auction house Bonhams is hosting an amazing number of collectibles in their latest Entertainment memorabilia auction. But it’s the genre items likely of more interest to our readers, including costumes and props from Torchwood, Doctor Who, and the James Bond film series.
Music lots up for auction include a wide range of autographed items from The Beatles, Rolling Stones and The Who, as well as more contemporary performers like Amy Winehouse. There’s an assortment of movie posters from as far back as the silent era and a small assortment of autographs, including Christopher Reeve.
When the selection of James Bond memorabilia begins, things get very interesting. Scriptwriter Jack Whittingham was tasked to write the first James Bond script, years before the series began with Dr. No. Ian Fleming and partner Kevin McClory planned to produce the film, but their professional relationship dissolved, and Fleming took much of the...
Music lots up for auction include a wide range of autographed items from The Beatles, Rolling Stones and The Who, as well as more contemporary performers like Amy Winehouse. There’s an assortment of movie posters from as far back as the silent era and a small assortment of autographs, including Christopher Reeve.
When the selection of James Bond memorabilia begins, things get very interesting. Scriptwriter Jack Whittingham was tasked to write the first James Bond script, years before the series began with Dr. No. Ian Fleming and partner Kevin McClory planned to produce the film, but their professional relationship dissolved, and Fleming took much of the...
- 12/13/2013
- by Vinnie Bartilucci
- Comicmix.com
Ernst Stavro Blofeld, James Bond’s infamous nemesis, could be set for a return to the silver screen. The estate of Kevin McClory – Blofeld’s co-creator – have recently agreed to sell the rights of the character to Danjaq and MGM, concluding a legal dispute, which has spanned over 50 years. As such, the end of one long-running conflict stands to reignite another, with nothing in the way of seeing Bond once again go face-to-face with the bald-headed, cat-stroking evil mastermind.
However, Blofeld has been stagnating on the sidelines for three decades, with his last appearance coming in the pre-credits sequence of For Your Eyes Only back in 1981. Even then his identity had to remain relatively obscure, as not to aggravate the legal issues previously mentioned. Of course, a lot can happen in thirty years, and perhaps a new Blofeld won’t be a fan of cats, nor of blandly-coloured Mao suits.
However, Blofeld has been stagnating on the sidelines for three decades, with his last appearance coming in the pre-credits sequence of For Your Eyes Only back in 1981. Even then his identity had to remain relatively obscure, as not to aggravate the legal issues previously mentioned. Of course, a lot can happen in thirty years, and perhaps a new Blofeld won’t be a fan of cats, nor of blandly-coloured Mao suits.
- 12/1/2013
- by James Lovatt
- Obsessed with Film
Today's film news is going to lasso the moon
On the site today
• It's a Wonderful Life to get sequel treatment
• Toxicology tests suggests Brittany Murphy may have ingested poison
• Christian Bale offers Ben Affleck advice over Bat-urination
• Alan Turing's niece questions accuracy of upcoming biopic
• James Cameron reveals Avatar almost didn't get made
• Alex Cox is writing about The Parallax View and 1970s conspiracy movies
• Cine-files bigs up the Phoenix in Dingle, Co Kerry
• Quiz: in homage to Scarlett Johannson's role in Her, it's guess the voice
• Q&A with our one-minute film competition winner Fin McMorran. (The winning film is called Heat; go on, take a look.)
You may have missed
• Disney banned Walt Disney from smoking in Saving Mr Banks
• Mike Leigh and Greg Cruttwell on making Naked
• Al Pacino as the vampire Lestat? Which alternative casting would you most like to see?
• Fifty-year battle over James...
On the site today
• It's a Wonderful Life to get sequel treatment
• Toxicology tests suggests Brittany Murphy may have ingested poison
• Christian Bale offers Ben Affleck advice over Bat-urination
• Alan Turing's niece questions accuracy of upcoming biopic
• James Cameron reveals Avatar almost didn't get made
• Alex Cox is writing about The Parallax View and 1970s conspiracy movies
• Cine-files bigs up the Phoenix in Dingle, Co Kerry
• Quiz: in homage to Scarlett Johannson's role in Her, it's guess the voice
• Q&A with our one-minute film competition winner Fin McMorran. (The winning film is called Heat; go on, take a look.)
You may have missed
• Disney banned Walt Disney from smoking in Saving Mr Banks
• Mike Leigh and Greg Cruttwell on making Naked
• Al Pacino as the vampire Lestat? Which alternative casting would you most like to see?
• Fifty-year battle over James...
- 11/19/2013
- The Guardian - Film News
Resolution of long-running dispute with estate of Kevin McClory could pave way for cat-stroking mastermind to return to regenerated Bond franchise, as well as his uber-evil organisation, Spectre
The James Bond film series is free to incorporate classic elements such as the villain Blofeld and nefarious organisation Spectre once again after settling a long-running legal case with the estate of 007 co-creator Kevin McClory.
A dispute over rights to the suave British spy has been ongoing since 1959, when writer McClory suggested a Bond film set in the Bahamas to Ian Fleming. The idea eventually came to form the basis of the novel Thunderball, as well as its 1965 film adaptation. Fleming and McClory collaborated on the third Bond film, which introduced both Blofeld and Spectre, but courts later ruled that the Dublin-born writer owned significant elements of the 007 mythos, and he was able to produce the "unofficial" 1983 Bond film Never Say Never Again,...
The James Bond film series is free to incorporate classic elements such as the villain Blofeld and nefarious organisation Spectre once again after settling a long-running legal case with the estate of 007 co-creator Kevin McClory.
A dispute over rights to the suave British spy has been ongoing since 1959, when writer McClory suggested a Bond film set in the Bahamas to Ian Fleming. The idea eventually came to form the basis of the novel Thunderball, as well as its 1965 film adaptation. Fleming and McClory collaborated on the third Bond film, which introduced both Blofeld and Spectre, but courts later ruled that the Dublin-born writer owned significant elements of the 007 mythos, and he was able to produce the "unofficial" 1983 Bond film Never Say Never Again,...
- 11/18/2013
- by Ben Child
- The Guardian - Film News
If you've wondered why the evil organization Spectre hasn't shown up in James Bond movies for awhile, that's because of a rights issue to the name and characters that's been going on for more than 50 years. The rebooted installments have been using Quantum as sort of a replacement (also substituting for original 007 villains Smersh), but now producers of the franchise are finally able to go with the more familiar name if they wish. According to Deadline, MGM and holding company Danjaq (which owns Eon Productions) has reached a deal with the estate of Kevin McClory, producer of the film Thunderball and long-disputed cocreator of Spectre and its leading baddie Ernst Stavro Blofeld. Does this mean we could see the (iconically bald) Bond nemesis and his lap cat show...
Read More...
Read More...
- 11/18/2013
- by Christopher Campbell
- Movies.com
With the November 15 news that James Bond producers Danjaq and MGM have acquired all 007 rights owned by late "Thunderball" co-creator Kevin McClory, the question immediately began buzzing: Will arch-villain Ernst Stavro Blofeld (introduced in Ian Fleming's "Thunderball" novel and in the movie "You Only Live Twice" after being teased as the mysterious Number One in "From Russia with Love" and "Thunderball") make his way into the upcoming "Bond 24"? And, beyond that, who would make the perfect Blofeld? Take our poll, below. The traditional image of Blofeld is with bald head, Nehru jacket and a white cat (as played by Donald Pleasence, Telly Savalas and Charles Gray). Then there was Max von Sydow (with hair but without the Nehru jacket) in the unofficial "Thunderball" remake "Never Say Never Again." Of course, Mike Myers parodied the character with his Dr. Evil in the "Austin Powers" franchise. Presumably a new Blofeld...
- 11/18/2013
- by Beth Hanna and Bill Desowitz
- Thompson on Hollywood
As it's revealed that Sam Taylor-Johnson's El James adaptation may be released in a softcore and a not-so-softcore version (less than a week after Lars von Trier announced he was hardcore only), we've the full lowdown on what's happening in movies today
What did you watch over the weekend?
Did you get served by the Butler, or lend an ear to the Counselor? Get down and dirty with Don Jon or Dom Hemingway? Or might you have finally caught up with Black Swan for its network TV premiere. Let us know in the comments below, and chip in below the line on last week's Guardian Film Show and tell our critics how wrong (or right) they got it.
On the site today
• Fifty-year battle over James Bond ends as Kevin McClory's family give up rights - could this mean the return of Blofeld and Spectre?
• Fifty Shades of Grey...
What did you watch over the weekend?
Did you get served by the Butler, or lend an ear to the Counselor? Get down and dirty with Don Jon or Dom Hemingway? Or might you have finally caught up with Black Swan for its network TV premiere. Let us know in the comments below, and chip in below the line on last week's Guardian Film Show and tell our critics how wrong (or right) they got it.
On the site today
• Fifty-year battle over James Bond ends as Kevin McClory's family give up rights - could this mean the return of Blofeld and Spectre?
• Fifty Shades of Grey...
- 11/18/2013
- The Guardian - Film News
News Simon Brew 18 Nov 2013 - 06:30
Kevin McClory's remaining rights to James Bond 007 elements have been bought up by MGM and Danjaq...
It's been revealed that MGM and Danjaq have finally acquired the rights to certain elements of the James Bond series, that had been held first by Kevin McClory, and subsequently by his estate.
McClory was one of the co-writers of a Thunderball script back in the 1950s, and claimed that he introduced characters and elements into the series, that would go on to be part of the movies.
McClory won partial copyright to Thunderball back in 1961, and that was a decision that led him to put together a remake of Thunderball in 1983. That film was Never Say Never Again, the high profile 'unofficial' Bond movie that brought Sean Connery back to the role.
McClory had been trying to get a further remake of Thunderball made, and in the late 1990s,...
Kevin McClory's remaining rights to James Bond 007 elements have been bought up by MGM and Danjaq...
It's been revealed that MGM and Danjaq have finally acquired the rights to certain elements of the James Bond series, that had been held first by Kevin McClory, and subsequently by his estate.
McClory was one of the co-writers of a Thunderball script back in the 1950s, and claimed that he introduced characters and elements into the series, that would go on to be part of the movies.
McClory won partial copyright to Thunderball back in 1961, and that was a decision that led him to put together a remake of Thunderball in 1983. That film was Never Say Never Again, the high profile 'unofficial' Bond movie that brought Sean Connery back to the role.
McClory had been trying to get a further remake of Thunderball made, and in the late 1990s,...
- 11/18/2013
- by simonbrew
- Den of Geek
Robert Sellers' book The Battle for Bond presents an in-depth examination of the complicated rights issues relating to the 007 films.
MGM and Danjaq have finally ended decades of litigation relating to rights held by producer Kevin McClory to the James Bond franchise. McClory had certain film rights relating to the novel Thunderball which Ian Fleming had based on an ill-fated collaboration between himself, McClory and writer Jack Whittingham in the 1950s when the trio tried unsuccessfully to bring 007 to the big screen. In order to thwart a rival film production of novel from being made, Bond producers Cubby Broccoli and Harry Saltzman hired McClory as producer of the 1965 blockbuster screen version of Thunderball. However, McClory always claimed that his rights allowed him to make other Bond films and even TV series. In 1983, a big screen remake of Thunderball titled Never Say Never Again proved to the only one of these projects to succeed.
MGM and Danjaq have finally ended decades of litigation relating to rights held by producer Kevin McClory to the James Bond franchise. McClory had certain film rights relating to the novel Thunderball which Ian Fleming had based on an ill-fated collaboration between himself, McClory and writer Jack Whittingham in the 1950s when the trio tried unsuccessfully to bring 007 to the big screen. In order to thwart a rival film production of novel from being made, Bond producers Cubby Broccoli and Harry Saltzman hired McClory as producer of the 1965 blockbuster screen version of Thunderball. However, McClory always claimed that his rights allowed him to make other Bond films and even TV series. In 1983, a big screen remake of Thunderball titled Never Say Never Again proved to the only one of these projects to succeed.
- 11/18/2013
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
Kevin McClory worked with Bond creator Ian Fleming and another writer, Jack Whittingham, during the late 1950s, and the result was the novel (and then the 1965 film) Thunderball. But alongside the underwater adventures of Sean Connery, another result was a seemingly never-ending legal battle between McClory's estate and the rights owners of the Bond franchise, MGM / Danjaq / Eon, which has finally been resolved.The simple solution was that McClory's estate has sold off any remaining rights to the Thunderball story - which was also remade in 1983 in the non-canon Never Say Never Again - allowing both Blofeld and Spectre back into the Bond fold.Die-hard 007 aficionados, aware of how Moneypenny and M are set up thanks to the end of Skyfall, will be very excited to imagine how Sam Mendes and his Bond 24/25 writer John Logan might - with the emphasis on might - bring everyone's favourite cat-stroking evil...
- 11/18/2013
- EmpireOnline
After a five decade long legal battle, MGM and Danjaq have finally acquired all of the rights to the 007 franchise.
The issue stretches back to a court case in November 1963 involving author Ian Fleming and screenwriter/producer Kevin McClory who helped Fleming adapt Bond to the big screen.
In essence, McClory has owned the film rights to the novel "Thunderball" and various other elements of the franchise. He attempted to use them to start his own Bond franchise in 1983 with the remake "Never Say Never Again".
McClory passed away in 2006, and now his estate seems to have finally come to a settlement with MGM, though terms have not been disclosed. The biggest impact going forward is what it could mean for the villains in future Daniel Craig outings.
McClory's estate essentially had the screen rights to both Ernst Stavro Blofeld character and the global terrorist organisation Spectre which served as...
The issue stretches back to a court case in November 1963 involving author Ian Fleming and screenwriter/producer Kevin McClory who helped Fleming adapt Bond to the big screen.
In essence, McClory has owned the film rights to the novel "Thunderball" and various other elements of the franchise. He attempted to use them to start his own Bond franchise in 1983 with the remake "Never Say Never Again".
McClory passed away in 2006, and now his estate seems to have finally come to a settlement with MGM, though terms have not been disclosed. The biggest impact going forward is what it could mean for the villains in future Daniel Craig outings.
McClory's estate essentially had the screen rights to both Ernst Stavro Blofeld character and the global terrorist organisation Spectre which served as...
- 11/16/2013
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Any James Bond fan should be instantly familiar with the Special Executive for Counter-intelligence, Terrorism, Revenge and Extortion (better known as Spectre), the super villain group led by Ernst Stavro Blofeld. Unfortunately, legal battles have kept them off the screen (at least in Eon films) since Diamonds Are Forever. Though many had given up hope that we’d ever see them return, the disputes seem to have been settled this week and we may get to see Blofeld show up in future James Bond film.
Check out the press release on the matter below.
Los Angeles, CA (November 15, 2013) – Danjaq, LLC, the producer of the James Bond films, and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), the longtime distributor of the Bond films, along with the estate and family of the late Kevin McClory, announced today that Danjaq and MGM have acquired all of the estate’s and family’s rights and interests relating to James Bond,...
Check out the press release on the matter below.
Los Angeles, CA (November 15, 2013) – Danjaq, LLC, the producer of the James Bond films, and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), the longtime distributor of the Bond films, along with the estate and family of the late Kevin McClory, announced today that Danjaq and MGM have acquired all of the estate’s and family’s rights and interests relating to James Bond,...
- 11/16/2013
- by Alexander Lowe
- We Got This Covered
James Bond producer Danjaq and distributor MGM have acquired the rights to the 007 movie franchise after a lengthy legal battle.
In a legal dispute dating back to the 1960s, Danjaq and MGM reached an agreement with the estate and family of Thunderball co-writer Kevin McClory.
In a joint statement, Danjaq and MGM confirmed that the agreement between the parties was amicable.
"Danjaq and MGM have acquired all of the estate's and family's rights and interests relating to James Bond, thus bringing to an amicable conclusion the legal and business disputes that have arisen periodically for over 50 years," the companies announced.
The terms of the settlement have not yet been revealed.
McClory, who owned rights to the Thunderball story, produced the 'rogue' Bond movie Never Say Never Again in 1983 with Sean Connery as 007.
With the full Bond rights returning to MGM and Danjaq, the possibility of the spy's archnemesis Ernst Stavro...
In a legal dispute dating back to the 1960s, Danjaq and MGM reached an agreement with the estate and family of Thunderball co-writer Kevin McClory.
In a joint statement, Danjaq and MGM confirmed that the agreement between the parties was amicable.
"Danjaq and MGM have acquired all of the estate's and family's rights and interests relating to James Bond, thus bringing to an amicable conclusion the legal and business disputes that have arisen periodically for over 50 years," the companies announced.
The terms of the settlement have not yet been revealed.
McClory, who owned rights to the Thunderball story, produced the 'rogue' Bond movie Never Say Never Again in 1983 with Sean Connery as 007.
With the full Bond rights returning to MGM and Danjaq, the possibility of the spy's archnemesis Ernst Stavro...
- 11/16/2013
- Digital Spy
Melbourne, Nov 16: James Bond villain Blofeld, who's often seen stroking a white cat, might be making a return to the big screen following a settlement announced on Friday between studio MGM, production company Danjaq and the estate of Kevin McClory.
McClory was a co-writer of the 1965 movie 'Thunderball' with Bond book writer Ian Fleming but was embroiled in a legal dispute over the movie rights for more than 50 years.
On Friday, the three parties announced that Danjaq and MGM had acquired all of the rights and interests relating to James Bond from the McClory estate and family, News.com.au reported.
The McClory family's.
McClory was a co-writer of the 1965 movie 'Thunderball' with Bond book writer Ian Fleming but was embroiled in a legal dispute over the movie rights for more than 50 years.
On Friday, the three parties announced that Danjaq and MGM had acquired all of the rights and interests relating to James Bond from the McClory estate and family, News.com.au reported.
The McClory family's.
- 11/16/2013
- by Shiva Prakash
- RealBollywood.com
Will "Bond 24" mark the return of 007 arch-villain Ernst Stavro Blofeld? That's the implication in Friday's announcement that Danjaq (the producers of the James Bond franchise) and MGM have acquired all of the rights to the iconic superspy owned by the estate and family of the late Kevin McClory, who co-created "Thunderball" with Bond author Ian Fleming. Thus ends more than a 50-year legal dispute over Bond rights stemming from "Thunderball," which started as a script by Fleming and McClory in 1959 and introduced Blofeld and his nefarious Spectre organization to the world of 007. However, when the proposed film project subsequently fell through, Fleming turned "Thunderball" into a novel in 1961 without McClory's consent. This coincided with the launch of the Bond franchise by producers Albert "Cubby" Broccoli and Harry Saltzman with Sean Connery as Bond. In fact, they intended on making "Thunderball" the first Bond movie, but had to quickly switch...
- 11/16/2013
- by Bill Desowitz
- Thompson on Hollywood
Settling a legal feud that spanned six decades, MGM has reached an agreement with the estate of writer Kevin McClory, who claimed to have been instrumental in the creation of Thunderball and ferociously defended his legal rights to that story for decades. McClory purportedly co-wrote a screenplay with Fleming that the Bond creator later repurposed for his Thunderball novel, which was then repurposed again for the 1965 movie. McClory said he even gave Bond creator Ian Fleming the idea to put his superspy character in movies. News of MGM’s acquisition of the rights comes via Deadline Hollywood, which is ...
- 11/15/2013
- avclub.com
A nine-day court case that has lingered for almost exactly 50 years has finally come to a permanent, irrevocable end, and that is very good news indeed for fans of James Bond. "Thunderball" is probably the most important Bond film ever made, although I doubt it's anyone's favorite. I would love to know what Ian Fleming was thinking when he tried to cheat Kevin McClory in the first place after they spent a few years working with him to try and turn the still relatively new James Bond character into a potential movie franchise. They started in 1958, and they worked...
- 11/15/2013
- by Drew McWeeny
- Hitfix
James Bond rights are finally secure after a half-century-long battle, 25 films, billions of dollars in box office and quite a few vanquished villains intent on global control. On Friday, Danjaq, LLC, the producer of James Bond films, and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, the longtime distributor of the Bond films, announced they had reached a settlement with the estate of Kevin McClory. The dispute dates back to 1959 when McClory met with Ian Fleming, the author who created the famous 007 in a series of spy novels. McClory took credit for proposing to Fleming the idea of a Bond
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- 11/15/2013
- by Eriq Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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