CBn-Forum hat geschrieben:I work for MGM but I'm not going to disclose my position as that would be foolish.

Eon and MGM wanted Brosnan to do one more film, that was the original intention. Brosnan was signed for three Bond films, with an option on a fourth. After that, each subsequent film would be on a one film-per-contract basis. The expectation was Brosnan would commit to one final Bond film - Bond 21.

Brosnan has been unhappy with the direction of the Bond films since Tomorrow Never Dies. After Tomorrow Never Dies was released in 97, he criticised the film for its emphasis on action rather than characterization. Eon and MGM wanted to appease Brosnan as best they could, so they agreed to change the format a little. A new director, Michael Apted, known for his documentary style, came aboard for Bond 19 - The World Is Not Enough. However, Eon and MGM were not too happy with TWINE's content and wanted to revert back to a more action-type model for Bond 20. Die Another Day being the result. Despite Brosnan's support for the film at the time, he later admitted in private that he disliked most of the film. In fact, he confessed his disappointment in the DVD commentary. He expressed a desire for a more adult Bond film. It's on the DVD, on the end credits.

Brosnan sensed time was running out for him as Bond and he wanted to make one classic Bond film, a film to rival Goldfinger, his personal favorite. He believed the only way he could convince Eon and MGM to change their mind and make an adult Bond film was to stall on his fee for Bond 21 and ask for more. So he increased his demand, with an explicit demand to change the style of the films, and to hire a more high-profile director such as Ang Lee or Quentin Tarantino. His conditions were simple: pay me more and alter the style of the Bond film or I quit.

Brosnan was paid approximately $16 million for Die Another Day. He increased his fee to $25 million for Bond 21, with a percentage deal attached. The percentage fluctuated between 15 and 20 percent of the estimated gross for Bond 21. Die Another Day made $450 worldwide box office, so Brosnan was asking for a figure in the region of $40 million on top. No precise percentage deal was ever finalized because no deal was agreed on his overall fee. Brosnan refused to compromise, arguing the time and cost in his making Bond 21, the film shoots last six months, was not worth it to him and his family. Making a Bond film is a year long commitment. Six months shooting and up to six months promoting in all the territories. Brosnan argued a fee similar to Die Another Day was not enough to commit him to a year long schedule.

Eon and MGM were fed up with Brosnan's criticisms of the series. They argued Brosnan was effectively holding the franchise to ransom and terminated contract talks in the late summer/early fall of 2003. In early 2004, Eon released news to the press that Brosnan was considered too old for the role and a replacement would be found. This was only partly true. MGM and Eon are keen to find a new, younger actor to play Bond. They believe the franchise is best served with a younger actor in the role. It is more appealing to the audience demographic. The studio was prepared to wait and cast a new Bond for Bond 22 but Brosnan's refusal to compromise on his fee made the decision easier. The new Bond would now be for Bond 21, and not, as was intended, Bond 22. News was leaked that Brosnan was too old for the role. This was done to force Brosnan's hand and make him announce his retirement. And this week he has done that.


In the fall of 2003, Eon and MGM pursued their first-choice candidate to take over from Brosnan - Hugh Jackman. Jackman had always expressed a desire to play Bond. He agreed to sign up to play Bond before Van Helsing's release because Eon/MGM offered him a multi-picture deal. They were not prepared to offer him a two-picture contract if he delayed his decision till after Helsing's release. Jackman's fee as a major lead actor has now risen since the large weekend opening of Van Helsing. That is how stars' fees are determined. MGM were not prepared to wait and then negotiate. Jackman has agreed not to appear in future X-Men films. This is not contractually binding, just his intention. Jackman is, however, contractually obliged to star in a sequel to Van Helsing, but Universal has yet to make a decision on a second film. Rumor has it there will not be a sequel due to the comparative poor box office return.

Bond 21 is scheduled for June/July 2006. The exact date has yet to be finalized. The current sale of MGM to Time Warner, and the cancelled Jinx movie, have delayed production of Bond 21. Jinx was to be MGM's Halle Berry action-vehicle, a female Bond in many respects, but MGM pulled out of it due to its highs costs and the accepted wisdom in the industry that female stars rarely open action pictures. Seeing the stats for Catwoman and MGM made the right call. The delay has postponed cast, location scouting and the announcement of Jackman as Bond. This is why there is no official announcement from Eon or MGM. Eon has agreed to delay any announcement until MGM is sold to Time Warner.

That is the background to the story. Brosnan was not prepared to compromise on his fee out of disdain for the direction the series has taken. Hugh Jackman is signed and ready to begin filming Bond 21 in summer/fall of 2005. His schedule has been made clear for that period.

Bond 21's screenplay is still in late draft development stage and uses elements from Ian Fleming's first novel Casino Royale. More details on plot and releated matters will be announced after the sale of MGM.