No more James Bond in London?

Bad news for all fans of James Bond, the agent with the „double-zero“: No more James Bond in London? The latest news about the bankruptcy of film studio MGM (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer), which holds the rights to the most famous secret agent of all time, has 007 fans trembling. The producers in charge, Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, announced in a press release that the start of filming on the new 007 movie had been postponed indefinitely and that, consequently, no release date could be announced (rumors had it that the premiere was to take place in London).

James Bond: No more meetings with „Q“ in London?

James Bond „on the brink of bankruptcy,“ as fr-online so aptly described the current situation? The news landed like a bombshell amid fans’ anticipation: filming had just begun on the new movie starring Daniel Craig (with London, of course, once again among the locations), and now all plans for the 23rd installment in the story of „Her Majesty’s Agent“ are on hold. The renowned US production studio MGM (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer), whose films are known for the roaring lion in their opening credits, appears to be in serious financial trouble. A buyer is being desperately sought. In view of its debts, MGM presumably wants to retain its share of the rights to James Bond at all costs, in order to make the studio more attractive to a buyer. The debts are reportedly enormous: according to reports in the „Los Angeles Times,“ MGM is weighed down by $3.7 billion in debt.

At least fans will be able to catch up with 007 on their home screens this year: Daniel Craig takes on the role of Her Majesty’s secret agent in the virtual world of „James Bond 007: Blood Stone,“ setting out (once again) to save the world from London as well. His Bond girl in the game will be soul artist Joss Stone. The game will be released in autumn 2010 for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC.