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Company description::
LONDON (March 17, 2004) Screenwriters Robert Wade and Neal Purvis verified with Empire magazine that they are several weeks into the writing of the 21st James Bond film; the news comes despite a confirmed star to play Bond.
Star or no-star, entertainment trade publication Variety has reported that the untitled James Bond film is schedule for release in November 2005.
On Monday, February 9, Daily Mail reporter Nicole Lampert broke the news that at age 50, franchise star Pierce Brosnan was being let go from his duties as secret agent 007 by James Bond film producers Eon Productions. The story was picked up by the Chicago Sun Times, Times of India, Herald Sun, and Ireland Online.
Interviewed days later at the Academy Awards, Brosnan went on the record with entertainment trade publication Variety that his future as Bond is "opaque" – meaning 'not clear.'
Eon Productions' publicity manager Catherine McCormack denied the rumors of Brosnan's firing in an interview with Empire Online, but left her comments open for interpretation.
"We haven't made any statement to say he isn't our James Bond," said McCormack, stating it would be difficult to comment further.
Asked directly if Brosnan has been signed to a contract to play the Bond character in the next franchise film, McCormack conceded that the actor is signed on a film-by-film basis and has not entered into a contract yet for another film.
Brosnan was originally signed to a three-picture deal Eon Productions. When contract negotiations for a fourth Brosnan appearance stalled, rumors circulated the actor was being replaced.
E! Entertainment columnist Marilyn Beck cited actors Ewan McGregor (Star Wars: Episode I,II,III) and Rikki Lee Travolta (Camelot: Excalibur) as two of the leading candidates rumored to replace Brosnan.
However, Brosnan eventually came to an agreement to reprise the Bond role in Die Another Day opposite Oscar winner Halle Berry. Some industry publications theorized that Eon Productions had leaked the replacement rumors in order to encourage Brosnan to a speedier contract agreement.
During a 2002 press conference, Brosnan again hinted at the end of his term as Bond.
"It takes stamina to play this role. I would like to get off the stage with grace," he said.
More recently, on March 14 of this year he told Sunday Morning Shootout hosts Peter Bart and Peter Guber that Bond writers Wade and Purvis have no idea what to do with the Bond character for a next film.
With Wade and Purvis reporting they are at work on the script and Eon Productions forecasting a Fall 2005 release date, a next James Bond film doesn't seem to be a question. The only question may be who that Bond will be.
An article by Chicago Sun Times columnist Bill Zwecker named Shakespearean-trained Travolta as the frontrunner to take on the role in James Bond-fan popularity polls. Christian Bale (American Psycho) and Adrian Paul (Highlander) were also mentioned as contenders.
Travolta called the rumors "flattering and intriguing" but has denied having had any meetings with the Bond producers.
A "replace Pierce" poll by Total Film magazine listed blond haired Jude Law as its reader's choice to take over the Bond role. McGregor's name also appeared in the poll.
Law dodged the topic of his own interest in the role, but confessed that his children would be eager to have him play the icon role.
In an interview with the Toronto Star McGregor said of the temptation of playing Bond, "It might take a bigger man to turn it down."
Readers of Scotland's The Daily Record showed support of either former soccer player Ally McCoist or actor Dougray Scott (Ever After) to be the first Scottish Bond since Sean Connery. Scott has indicated he would pass on the opportunity, however.
"I'm very flattered that people consider me good enough to play James Bond," stated Scott in an article published by the Guardian. "But I couldn't play that part any better than Sean (Connery) did. To be honest I am not convinced I am suave enough so I doubt I would do it."
British bookies are staking odds and literally taking bets that James Purefoy (A Knight's Tale), Gerald Butler (Phantom of the Opera), or Shakespearean trained Jeremy Northam (The Net) will be next to don the agent's trademark tuxedo.
A 2003 news item originating at Internet Movie Database (IMDB.com) suggested Hugh Jackman (X-Men) as a possible Bond replacement; the news item was picked up worldwide by gossip columnists but was never confirmed by anyone associated with the Bond franchise.
Jackman has made no move to quiet the rumors, though.
"If a new Bond is needed, 'I'll put my hand up'," said Jackman in a report with USA Weekend.
Clive Owen (King Arthur) has been consistently rumored as a possible future 007 since his appearance in a series of BMW advertisements; however the actor stated that he has yet to be approached by anyone associated with Eon Productions.
"It's all rumor," stated Owen in an interview with the Chicago Sun Times. "Let me just tell you that there has never been an official approach from the Bond people toward me."
MGM, the film company that releases the Bond pictures, recently renewed its distribution deal with Brosnan's Irish DreamTime production company.
Speculation varies on if the move was made to placate Brosnan for losing the Bond role, or as an assurance that it is still his if he wants it.
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