James Bond News: 🍸April 2018
Published: Wed, 04/04/18
Hi - here I am, back for the April newsletter.
It's a day later than planned thanks to some inconvenient real life stuff. But you know what they say - better late than never! On a related note, if you're waiting to hear from me about anything I'm about six weeks behind...
Anyway, let's move on. Since the last newsletter Danny Boyle responded to reports linking him to Bond 25; the head of MGM is forced out by the board; and the opening date of a new 007 museum in Sölden is announced.
But before we move onto those and other stories, let's start with some music. Warren Ringham, who manages fan fave Bond band Q The Music, is putting on a massive event next January.
He's crowd-funding a concert with a 100-piece orchestra and choir in January 2019. The orchestra will play the full
Moonraker score in the first half of the concert. Then after the break they'll cover some of the most popular songs from their regular repertoire.
Details of the concert/crowd-funding are here
Knives were out at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer when the board forced out CEO Gary Barber. Barber’s removal is reported to be completely unexpected and
caused shock waves throughout the industry. How this will affect Bond 25 is currently unknown.
Gary Barber forced out as head of MGM
There were already unconfirmed reports that Danny Boyle was going to direct Bond 25. However, Boyle himself confirmed he is working on a script with John Hodge and will direct the new Bond film if it works out. He is currently working on a Richard Curtis script that should “start shooting that in 6 or 7 weeks” followed by Bond 25 at the end of the year. More coming soon.
Danny Boyle confirms Bond 25 rumours
A new 007 museum in Sölden will open to the public on 12th July 2018. Sölden was chosen as the home of 007 Elements after the area was
used for location filming in SPECTRE, including the Ice Q restaurant which doubled as the Hoffler Klinik.
New James Bond museum set to open in Austria this July
Roger Deakins awarded Oscar for his work on Blade Runner 2049. Sunday night saw the ninetieth Academy Awards, better known
throughout the world as the Oscars. Among those shortlisted for an award was Roger Deakins for his work on Blade Runner 2049.
Skyfall cinematographer wins Oscar for Blade Runner 2049
Terry Madden takes legal action after being forced to retire due to injuries sustained while filming SPECTRE in Austria. Back in February
2015 we reported how second unit assistant director Terry Madden was badly injured in an accident in Sölden. Madden, 66, has worked on every Bond film since For Your Eyes Only (1981).
SPECTRE second unit assistant director sues for £2.5 million
US lawsuit against MGM and associated parties ended after settlement reached between the two sides. Back in the summer it emerged that MGM and associated parties were being sued because of the labelling on their James Bond DVD and BluRay box sets.
Settlement reached in 007 DVD box set lawsuit
MI6 Confidential, the full-colour magazine celebrating the world of James Bond 007, returns with its forty-forth issue. As the clock ticked down to the new millennium, the nineteenth James
Bond film, The World Is Not Enough, launched in cinemas.
MI6 Confidential #44: Third time’s a charm
Collectors can now complete their run of the printed 007 Magazine with this printed version of the first of two previous online editions from 2006.
Issue #49 of 007 Magazine now available to order
BBC Radio 4 broadcasts Moonraker adaptation with Toby Stephens as 007. Martin Jarvis directs this surprisingly up-to-date,
all-star guided missile drama. It’s 1954 and British patriot Sir Hugo Drax has built an atomic rocket, Moonraker, vital to Britain’s defences.
Moonraker radio play available on demand
See you then!
David Leigh
The James Bond Dossier
PS Don't miss the special offer pricing on MI6 Confidential magazine. You can sign up for the complete 2018 season of five issues and pay for just four plus delivery.
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