Latest news with #MGM
Metro
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Beloved British actress edges out Zendaya as favourite for Bond Girl
There's a new name in the Bond girl conversation, just days after it was finally confirmed that Denis Villeneuve will be directing the upcoming 007 film. The Canadian director, best known for directing Dune and Dune: Part Two, as well as Arrival, Blade Runner 2049, Sicario, and Prisoners, is now stepping up to the directorial plate amid major upheaval at Bond HQ. Amazon Studios officially purchased MGM for $8.45billion (£6.7billion) in 2022, with a new agreement over creative control meaning Bond — and whoever is next to play 007 – is entirely under the streamer's control. Now that a director is officially attached, the speculation around who will play who has ramped up a notch. Zendaya has been top of minds to take on the iconic role of the next Bond girl – admittedly, not the best terminology for the iconic female lead – but Florence Pugh's name has now also entered the conversation. Florence Pugh has taken over as the favourite to be the next Bond Girl, at 11/8, according to She already has a working relationship with Villeneuve, having joined the Dune fold for the second film. While Pugh once ruled out being the first female Bond, she has signalled her interest in portraying a spy. She told Digital Spy: 'I think everyone's always interested in playing a spy, right? 'That's something we grow up admiring, which is so strange, but it's just a very clever and quick world that we all want to be a part of.' Pugh's Dune co-star Zendaya – who was directed by Villeneuve in both his sci-fi films and is set to reprise her role in the upcoming third – is also in contention to be the Bond role, currently at 6/4 odds. She has also been produced by new Bond producer Amy Pascal in a number of films, including last year's sensational sweat-fest Challengers. More Trending The other names currently in contention according to the bookies include Ana de Armas, who had a scene-stealing turn in No Time To Die as Paloma, as well as Emma Watson and Rebecca Ferguson. It comes after Villeneuve shared an emotional statement about taking on the next film, saying: 'Some of my earliest movie-going memories are connected to 007. 'I grew up watching James Bond films with my father, ever since Dr. No with Sean Connery. I'm a die-hard Bond fan. To me, he's sacred territory.' Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Whoever the next James Bond is, Denis Villeneuve threatens to overshadow him MORE: James Bond fans convinced they've cracked the next 007 actor after director is confirmed MORE: James Bond fans crushed after discovering Hollywood legends' 1960s-set pitch 'will never happen'
Geek Tyrant
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
Rick Moranis Once Pitched a Wild SPACEBALLS Sequel SPACEBALLS III: THE SEARCH FOR SPACEBALLS II — GeekTyrant
Long before the new Spaceballs sequel entered active development, Rick Moranis had his own delightfully absurd take on what a sequel could be, and judging from the title, Spaceballs III: The Search for Spaceballs II , it sounds like a meta and ridiculous idea that fans would've enjoyed. In an interview with Heeb, Moranis revealed that after the original Spaceballs became a cult hit on home video (it wasn't a box office smash when it was released), MGM was interested in a sequel. Moranis pitched one directly to Mel Brooks, and it was perfectly on-brand. He said: 'Mel wanted to do a sequel after it became a cult video hit. It wasn't a box office hit. It was a cult video hit, and MGM wanted to do a sequel. And my idea for it was Spaceballs III: The Search for Spaceballs II. And I was unable to make a deal with Mel. I couldn't make a deal.' Moranis wanted to skip right over Spaceballs II and go straight to III, which is exactly the kind of nonsensical, self-aware comedy that made the original such a gem. The title alone is perfect. Unfortunately, the project stalled due to deal issues between Moranis and Brooks. 'I wasn't privy to what the budget was or anything, but the deal he presented me, what he wanted me to do, was not workable. It was two or three years later. 'He wanted me to … it's better if I don't get into the particulars of it. Because it is so specific, it's counter-productive to talk about it. But I was unable to make a deal, and it would have been something I would have wanted to do.' That's a shame, because The Search for Spaceballs II would've likely leaned hard into the franchise's self-parody and sci-fi satire. Well, a Spaceballs sequel is finally happening. It's currently slated for release in 2027, with Josh Greenbaum ( Strays ) directing and a script from Josh Gad, Benji Samit, and Dan Hernandez. Moranis is returning as Dark Helmet, and he'll be joined by fellow original cast members Bill Pullman (Lone Star), Daphne Zuniga (Princess Vespa), and Mel Brooks himself, who will reprise his role as Yogurt and President Skroob. Spaceballs follows Lone Star and Barf (the late, great John Candy), a Han-and-Chewie-style duo on a quest to rescue Princess Vespa from the clutches of the hilariously evil Dark Helmet, who plans to steal her planet's air supply. While Spaceballs III: The Search for Spaceballs II was never meant to see the light of day, at least fans can look forward to a sequel that brings the original gang back together. Here's hoping it's just as gloriously ridiculous as Moranis once imagined.
Express Tribune
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Denis Villeneuve to direct bond 26 with jacob elordi, tom holland, and harris dickinson eyed for 007
Denis Villeneuve is set to direct the next James Bond movie, with Amazon eyeing a 2028 release for Bond 26, according to sources. Villeneuve was selected over several notable directors, including Edward Berger, Edgar Wright, Paul King, and Jonathan Nolan. With the film's large scale, insiders suggest a 2028 timeline is the most feasible, as a faster production would be challenging. Amazon's next step involves securing a writer and an actor for the coveted role of Agent 007. The studio and producers are reportedly focusing on a British actor under 30, with Jacob Elordi ("Saltburn"), Tom Holland ("Spider-Man"), and Harris Dickinson ("Babygirl") among the top contenders. Though Elordi is Australian, Amazon is not concerned, as seen with George Lazenby, who was Australian and played Bond in On Her Majesty's Secret Service. While Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Henry Cavill have been mentioned as possible options, their ages—35 and 42—make them less likely to fit the studio's preference. Director Alfonso Cuarón was initially considered for the role but withdrew to focus on other projects, including Jane, a film starring Charlize Theron. Christopher Nolan, a potential contender as director, was also of interest to Amazon, but his schedule is occupied with The Odyssey, a project starring Holland. Villeneuve, best known for Dune, is currently planning to film Dune: Messiah later this year, with a 2026 release date in mind. His deal for the Bond film is a one-off, meaning he is not contracted for sequels and does not have final cut privileges, a decision that deviates from previous Bond films where the Broccoli family held tight creative control. Villeneuve's appointment marks a significant shift in the franchise's creative direction as Amazon takes over from MGM.
The Guardian
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Denis Villeneuve to direct new James Bond film
Denis Villeneuve will direct the next James Bond film, Amazon MGM Studios has announced. The Oscar-nominated Canadian film-maker most recently directed the hugely successful blockbusters Dune and Dune: Part Two, as well as Arrival, Sicario, Blade Runner 2049 and Prisoners. 'Some of my earliest movie-going memories are connected to 007. I grew up watching James Bond films with my father, ever since Dr. No with Sean Connery. I'm a die-hard Bond fan. To me, he's sacred territory,' Villeneuve said in a statement on Wednesday. 'I intend to honour the tradition and open the path for many new missions to come. This is a massive responsibility, but also, incredibly exciting for me and a huge honour.' Villeneuve is about to start shooting a third Dune film, Dune: Messiah, which is currently scheduled for a 2026 release. He is also attached to direct a historical drama about Cleopatra, an adaptation of Arthur C Clarke's science fiction novel Rendezvous with Rama, and an adaptation of a science fiction short story by South Korean writer Kim Bo-young. Head of Amazon MGM Studios, Mike Hopkins, said on Wednesday: 'We are honoured that Denis has agreed to direct James Bond's next chapter. He is a cinematic master, whose filmography speaks for itself … James Bond is in the hands of one of today's greatest filmmakers and we cannot wait to get started on 007's next adventure.' Villeneuve's appointment is part of a wider shakeup of the Bond franchise, after longtime producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson gave creative control to Amazon MGM Studios in a deal reported to have cost around US$1bn. There has been no confirmation of when the next Bond film will be released and the search is still on for who will play the spy after Daniel Craig, whose last Bond outing, No Time to Die, made US$774m worldwide. Actors Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Theo James and James Norton have all been named as favourites for the role. However, despite having the back of two former Bonds, Taylor-Johnson appeared to rule himself out of contention last year, telling GQ: 'I don't feel like I need to have a future drawn out for me. I feel like, whatever's drawn out for me, I can fucking do better.' In November, Broccoli said the next James Bond actor will be in his 30s and could be of any race, with Associated Press writing: 'It will be a man. He'll likely be in his 30s. Whiteness is not a given.' The actor will also need to be contracted to at least a decade's worth of films. There have reportedly been fierce rows over 007's future between Wilson and Broccoli, who oversaw the franchise for decades as the children of its original producer, Albert 'Cubby' Broccoli, and Amazon, with Barbara Broccoli allegedly branding Amazon executives 'fucking idiots' over ideas to expand the franchise with spin-offs and a TV series.
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The Independent
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Mission: Impossible theme composer Lalo Schifrin dies aged 93
Lalo Schifrin, the composer best known for giving the Mission: Impossible series its dramatic theme tune, has died. He was 93. The Buenos Aires-born musician was a prolific soundtrack composer, writing indelible scores for such classic films as Enter The Dragon and Cool Hand Luke as well as the Dirty Harry and Rush Hour franchises. His son Ryan Schifrin told Deadline that his father died 'peacefully' on Thursday morning. Variety reports the cause of death was complications from pneumonia. Boris Claudio "Lalo" Schifrin was born on June 21, 1932. His father was a violinist for the orchestra at the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires, and the young Schifrin began studying piano from the age of six. At 20, he won a scholarship to the Conservatoire de Paris, where he also began playing in jazz clubs. He later returned to Buenos Aires and formed his own orchestra, but continued to work with noted jazz musicians, including Dizzy Gillespie. Schifrin was asked by MGM to score their 1963 adventure movie, Rhino!. He moved to Los Angeles the same year, and began his extensive work in film. In 1965 he wrote the score for the Steve McQueen movie The Cincinnati Kid, and the following year was approached by producer Bruce Geller and Desilu Studios to compose the theme for a new spy television show they were developing. In 2018 Schifrin spoke to The Independent at length about the writing of his signature theme for Mission: Impossible, recalling that Tom Cruise had hugged him at the premiere of the 1996 film adaptation. 'He said he grew up with the television series and the music was one of the biggest elements that convinced him to get involved in the movie project, not only as an actor but as the co-producer,' recalled Schifrin. 'So he made my day.' He said the music itself came to him quickly. 'I had a very short time to write it. I had to do it right away,' he remembered. 'I sat at my desk and wrote that theme in exactly one-and-a-half minutes. It was not inspiration; it was a need to do it. It was my own little mission impossible! The whole thing – including the chorus, the bongos, everything you hear – took me maybe three minutes. I was creating sound of impossible missions and making them swing. I didn't know it was going to be so successful.' The theme was well received by the public, and bolstered Schifrin's reputation. In the 60s he composed the music for the Paul Newman film Cool Hand Luke and Steve McQueen's Bullitt. The following decade his scores included several Dirty Harry films and the Bruce Lee classic Enter The Dragon. He continued to work consistently throughout the 80s and 90s, finding further success with Rush Hour in 1998. He returned for the sequels, with Rush Hour 3 providing his final film credit in 2007. In November 2018, Schifrin received an honorary Academy Award. He is survived by his wife Donna, his three children William Schifrin, Frances Schifrin and Ryan Schifrin and four grandchildren.
