BOND 23 Pre-Production Put on Hold

Screenwriter Peter Morgan recently said he was working on a “shocking story” for the upcoming BOND 23, but the real shock came today, as Anne Thompson via her IndieWire Blog says EON Productions is putting pre-production on the film on hold.   Work on the next adventure for 007 is on hold pending the outcome of the MGM sale.   First bids on the auction of the studio’s properties were expected after Thanksgiving, but no word has come down on any, serious offers.

In a recent interview with Total Film, producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli had this to say about the film’s status:

Our timeline’s a little up in the air what with the situation at MGM, so we have to be flexible. We just don’t know enough about the situation to comment, but we know it’s uncertain.

Of course, the writing has been on the wall for some time regarding BOND 23’s fast-track pre-production status.   Morgan has indicated that pre-production wouldn’t get fully underway until February, and stars Daniel Craig and Dame Judi Dench have indicated actual production on the film wouldn’t begin until the last quarter of 2010.

Word could come any day that a solid buyer has swooped in to take up the BOND franchise, and the same could be said for THE HOBBIT project, which seems may have a likely delay, as well.   The only thing for certain is that BOND 23 will be happening, it’s just a matter of when at this point.