While quickly stated with no details on exactly how, apparently MGM’s problematic situation is “clearing up,” according to Deadline and they’re ready to get back on track with their lucrative tentpoles, namely the “Bond” flicks and the two-part “The Hobbit.” Buried in the article on Gary Ross’s appointment as director of Lionsgate’s “Hunger Games” is a small bit explaining why contender Sam Mendes bowed out, stating that the company was looking to move forward with the next Bond sometime in later Summer/early Fall 2011. Last we heard, Spyglass Entertainment were in a deal to handle MGM and were very much near closing in on a deal, so it’s likely that that’s the case and they’re still sorting things out before an official announcement.
Adding to that, Ian McKellen spilled some beans to the Bolton News, saying that he would be returning as Gandalf and that the aim would be to shoot in January. Without a director (though with plenty of rumored directors and even the likelihood that Peter Jackson will take over), the news is promising and likely, considering they’ve been trying to work things out with actor Martin Freeman to play main protagonist Bilbo Baggins.
So are things looking good for MGM? Definitely sounds like it, with these two expensive franchises finally moving forward after slight setbacks and vacations.
But what of Mendes and his Carey Mulligan pic “On Chesil Beach”? The Telegraph noted (though the story is now gone) that producers postponed after a lengthy pre-production, noting that “there need to be leaves on the trees.” While a male co-star hadn’t been found (although we were told by a good source that Mendes badly wanted Andrew Garfield), the production has been pushed to next year, and it is unknown if Mulligan or Mendes will return. We can see Mendes bailing for Bond, and if those proposed shoot dates are accurate, it seems like that’ll be the case. As for Mulligan, unless you’ve been living under a rock, she’s in extremely high demand lately and who knows if she’ll be interested in sticking around for this one, especially if Mendes is off the project.
Look for an official announcement on MGM’s situation sometime soon, hopefully with some more details concerning “The Hobbit” series and who will be officially tackling it.