No Time to Die

[GeneChing]

Danny Boyle Exits As Bond 25 Director Amid Creative Differences (https://deadline.com/2018/08/danny-boyle-out-bond-25-director-creative-differences-1202449330/)
by Mike Fleming Jr and Patrick Hipes
August 21, 2018 10:38am

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Danny Boyle, who had been set as director of the next installment of the James Bond franchise, is leaving the production, producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli said today on Twitter.

The franchise’s official social media handle said that Wilson, Broccoli and star Daniel Craig made the announcement, and that it was Boyle’s decision.


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View image on Twitter (https://twitter.com/007/status/1031951674544476160/photo/1)

James Bond
✔
@007
Michael G. Wilson, Barbara Broccoli and Daniel Craig today announced that due to creative differences Danny Boyle has decided to no longer direct Bond 25.

10:10 AM - Aug 21, 2018
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It’s unclear how this might impact the distribution plans of the latest in the 007 franchise. New U.S. distributor MGM had already set a November 8, 2019 release date for the pic, which will bow first on October 25, 2019 in the UK as part of Universal’s new international and home entertainment rights deal.

Craig is back for his fifth film as 007, with a script that Boyle’s Trainspotting partner John Hodge wrote based on an idea by Boyle. Deadline revealed those plans, and we were told then that Boyle was only interested in participating if he could tell that specific story, his way. So it isn’t immediately clear if the producers will stick with the Hodge script, or if they go back to the version that was written by written by Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, who penned Casino Royale, Quantum Of Solace, Skyfall and Spectre. That 007 story got shelved when the producers sparked to Boyle’s pitch.

It’s also back to the drawing board on filmmakers. At one time, the producers were looking closely at Blade Runner 2049’s Denis Villenueve, Hell or High Water‘s David Mackenzie, and ’71’s Yann Demange. Villenueve seems firmly rooted in Dune — he has Beautiful Boy star Timothee Chalamet set for the lead at Legendary.

Mackenzie is again available, after completing the Chris Pine as Robert the Bruce Scottish epic Outlaw King, and Demange finished the Matthew McConaughey-starrer White Boy Rick. It is unclear but seems likely the two will be back on the short list. Stay tuned.

We'll split this off into an indie Bond 25 thread when it gets more established.

[GeneChing]

AUGUST 21, 2018 3:30pm PT by Richard Newby
Why It's Time for James Bond to Move On (https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/why-james-bond-should-leave-daniel-craig-past-1136495)

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Courtesy of Sony Pictures/Photofest

As Danny Boyle exits Bond 25 and rumors persist about who could replace Daniel Craig, the franchise should chart a fresh path forward.

In a surprising turn of events, Danny Boyle has exited Bond 25, which had been scheduled to begin production in December for a November 2019 release. Citing creative differences, producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, along with star Daniel Craig made the official announcement Tuesday afternoon.

The road to Bond 25 has been a long one. After a long search and much deliberation by Eon Productions, Oscar winner Danny Boyle (2008's Slumdog Millionaire) signed on to direct and write (alongside John Hodge) in March. Though the short production schedule was somewhat worrying, it seemed promising that Boyle would be able to bring something new to the franchise and place Craig’s Bond in a position he hadn’t been in before. Although the star seemed by numerous media appearances to be burned out on Bond, hiring Boyle seemed like a reinvigorating move that would allow this iteration of 007 to go out on a high note. But with the director decamping, and increased rumors and speculation about who will step into the tuxedo and Aston Martin next, maybe it’ll be better for everyone if we admit that it’s time to let Daniel Craig’s Bond re in peace.

Without a doubt, Craig has headlined some of the long-running franchise’s best films, and he stands as a personal favorite Bond. Earlier this year, I asked if there was anything left for the actor to do as Bond, and landed on the decision that with Boyle, the answer was "yes." But without the celebrated filmmaker, who seemed sure to deconstruct the character in an emotionally cathartic way, what are we looking at? Sure, it’s feasible to imagine some great set pieces, maybe a well-cast adversary or two, but for Craig’s Bond, who has been the most introspective and emotionally damaged of all the 007 iterations, it seems his story has found closure. Unless a new director can find a way to challenge the character that wouldn’t end in “creative differences,” it really does seem like Craig has explored all he has to offer with James Bond.

Spectre (2015), while not the best of Craig’s run despite bringing back Skyfall’s director Sam Mendes, did manage to tie up all the loose ends of the previous three installments. We see Bond come to terms with his past, finally unveil the reach of Quantum and face off against a classic adversary in Christoph Waltz’s Blofeld. The super spy even manages to curtail his womanizing ways and enter a relationship, with Madeleine Swann (Lea Seydoux), that promises permanence. Although perhaps too tidy, and too dependent on things the franchise had done before, Spectre feels like a far better sendoff than the rest of the Bonds received.

Despite the sentiment going into Bond 25 that the film will allow Craig to end his tenure with one of the best installments, the fact remains that such an ending has yet to be achieved with any of the long-running Bonds , many of whom stayed well past the age where they could perform without looking stiff and tired. Sean Connery’s run ended with the silly Bond in Vegas entry, Diamonds Are Forever (1971). Roger Moore wrapped things up in A View to s Kill (1985), where he couldn’t match the high energy of Christopher Walken’s villain. Timothy Dalton’s Licence to Kill (1989) was a controversial departure from Bond that owed more to Miami Vice than MI6. And poor Pierce Brosnan was left with what many consider to be the worst in the franchise, Die Another Day (2002). Even the one-and-done George Lazenby’s On Her Majesty’s Secret Service ended on a downer with Bond’s wife being killed. If history serves as a map to the future, then we should consider ourselves lucky if Spectre does end up being Craig’s last entry.

Although much has been made about Craig’s age, he’ll be 50 if the film still manages to start production this year, that remains a secondary issue. Roger Moore was 58 when he retired from Bond in 1985. Fifty-six-year-old Tom Cruise just delivered one of the best action movies of his career with Mission: Impossible – Fallout, though no one can quite match the youthful vigor of Cruise. Age isn’t an issue, especially since stars have stopped aging like they used to in Connery and Moore’s days. What is an issue is that it feels like Craig has been Bond for a long time. Cast in 2005, Craig has held the role of James Bond longer than any other actor. His 13 years with the mantle edges out Moore’s 12. There’s simply a feeling, blame it on the buzz over Idris Elba being rumored to take over the role, or Craig’s agitated comments about returning for another, that most audiences are ready to see the actor move on. In the time since Craig became Bond to the present, we’ve seen two Supermen, two Batmen, three Spider-Men, new iterations of the crew of the starship Enterprise, and new Jedi. Even Hugh Jackman hung up his Wolverine claws. Every iconic property has its life cycle, and eventually needs revamping and fresh blood to get audiences involved again. In 2018, the prospect of a new Bond feels more exciting than seeing Craig return as 007 in 2019. That’s doubly true without Boyle.

Spectre may not have gotten the pomp and circumstance of being Craig’s last entry, but perhaps it’s better that way. It’s a fitting end to one of the best interpretations of the character, that is should Broccoli and Wilson see fit to leave it there. Rushing a new script and another Bond into production to meet the release date next year seems ill-advised and an insult to all that Craig has put into his performance. And waiting another year or two for a 2020 or 2021 release date drains any momentum left in an arc that fans are already anxious to see conclude. Rather than force an entry that is apparently no longer there, Eon should go back to the drawing board and figure out who the next Bond is, who can write and direct it, and what the character can mean for the upcoming decade. Craig hasn’t left the role yet, but his Bond seems to be in the midst of death throes. While it may be premature, it seems for now that James Bond is dead. Long live James Bond.

Seems like just yesterday when Craig came out with Casino Royale (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?44016-Casino-royale).

[GeneChing]

SEPTEMBER 20, 2018 1:22AM PT
Cary Joji Fukunaga to Direct New James Bond Film (https://variety.com/2018/film/news/james-bond-25-cary-joji-fukunaga-director-1202950078/)
By HENRY CHU
International Editor

https://pmcvariety.files.wordpress.com/2018/09/cary-joji-fukunaga.jpg?w=1000&h=562&crop=1
Writer Cary Joji Fukunaga attends The National Board of Review Gala, honoring the 2015 award winners, at Cipriani 42nd Street, in New York2016 National Board of Review Awards Gala, New York, USA
CREDIT: EVAN AGOSTINI/INVISION/AP/REX/SH

Cary Joji Fukunaga will direct the new James Bond film, the producers announced Thursday. The 25th Bond installment will begin filming in London, at Pinewood Studios, on March 4, 2019, with a worldwide release on Feb. 14, 2020, a few months after its original target date.

Fukunaga, who won acclaim for 2015 war film “Beasts of No Nation,” replaces Danny Boyle, who exited the project last month over creative differences with producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson and returning star Daniel Craig. Fukunaga will be the Bond franchise’s first American director.

“We are delighted to be working with Cary,” Broccoli and Wilson said on Twitter. “His versatility and innovation make him an excellent choice for our next James Bond adventure.”

Fukunaga won an Emmy in 2014 for helming the entire first season (eight episodes) of “True Detective” and giving the crime series a cinematic look. More recently, he directed multiple episodes of Netflix’s “Maniac,” a new half-hour comedy show starring Emma Stone and Jonah Hill.

Even so, Fukunaga was not on many – or any – Bond watchers’ radar as Boyle’s replacement. Speculation had centered on Bart Layton, director of “American Animals”; S.J. Clarkson, who has been chosen to direct the next installment in the “Star Trek” franchise; and Yann Demange, the helmer of new release “White Boy Rick.” Demange had been considered a strong contender during the first round before the job went, temporarily, to Boyle, and again during the new search.

MGM and production company Eon had little time to pick a new director after Boyle’s Aug. 21 departure to keep the project on schedule. As it is, the new release date of Valentine’s Day 2020 is three months later than the original date of Nov. 8, 2019. MGM will distribute the film domestically and Universal internationally.

Boyle had been hired to direct and to pen the script along with his “Trainspotting” co-writer, John Hodge. The screenplay appeared to have received the green light, and the new Bond girl and villain were soon to be cast, when Boyle and the producers abruptly parted ways. MGM and Eon then began looking for both a director and a writer, insiders said.

Fukunaga’s debut feature film, “Sin Nombre,” earned him the directing award at Sundance in 2009; in its review, Variety hailed the arrival of “a big new talent.” He also directed 2011’s “Jane Eyre,” with Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender.

Didn't see that one coming.

[GeneChing]

Time to split off Bond 25 into its own thread, independent of the new james bond thread (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?31755-the-new-james-bond).



DECEMBER 7, 2018 10:56AM PT
Bond 25: Lea Seydoux Returning to Franchise (https://variety.com/2018/film/news/bond-25-lea-seydoux-1203084117/)
By JUSTIN KROLL
Film Reporter
@krolljvar

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CREDIT: COURTESY OF MGM

With its spring shoot fast approaching, Eon and MGM have begun bringing back familiar faces for the next James Bond film as Lea Seydoux is set to reprise her “Spectre” role as psychologist Madeleine Swann, a source confirmed to Variety.

Daniel Craig is already on board to return, with Cary Joji Fukunaga writing and directing the pic.

Craig is currently shooting Rian Johnson’s thriller “Knives Out” and Fukunaga is still finishing the Bond 25 script, but insiders say producers have already begun building out the film’s ensemble. Besides Seydoux, Eon is looking for two other actresses — one would play an MI6 agent who works with Bond and another a mystery women — as well as the Bond villain.

According to insiders, Rami Malek was being eyed for the villain role, but his schedule on the last season of “Mr. Robot,” which shoots from March through July, makes it unlikely that he will be able to take the gig, even if Eon offered him the part.

MGM will release the film on Feb. 14, 2020 through a partnership with Annapurna Pictures. Universal will handle international distribution.

[GeneChing]

You know who I want? Nick Frost. Nick would be the best Bond ever. ;)


FEBRUARY 27, 2019 2:47PM PT
‘Bond 25’ Casting Gears Up as Production Nears Spring Start (https://variety.com/2019/film/news/bond-25-cast-billy-magnussen-bond-girls-1203151088/)
By JUSTIN KROLL
Film Reporter
@krolljvar

https://pmcvariety.files.wordpress.com/2017/11/james-bond-spectre.jpg?w=1000&h=563&crop=1
CREDIT: COURTESY OF COLUMBIA PICTURES

With production expected to start this spring, MGM and Eon are getting closer to deciding who will be joining Daniel Craig in his next outing as Agent 007 in the 25th James Bond movie.

Producers are continuing their search for two female roles — one a new MI6 agent and the other an accomplice similar to Olga Kurylenko’s character in “Quantum of Solace” — the main villain, and an American CIA agent similar to Jeffrey Wright’s in past installments.

Sources indicate that Billy Magnussen is the top choice to play the CIA operative that crosses paths with Bond, though it’s not known if an actual offer is on the table. Magnussen already has a working relationship with “Bond 25” writer-director Cary Joji Fukunaga after recently appearing on his Netflix series, “Maniac.” Insiders say, before coming on to “Bond 25,” Fukunaga had already tried to cast him in his Leonard Bernstein pic, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, that was shelved, and that Fukunaga’s most recent draft had the character written younger to fit Magnussen’s age.

As for the villain, sources indicate there is renewed interest in tapping recent Oscar winner Rami Malek, after it was initially thought that scheduling could not be worked out with his commitments on the final season of “Mr. Robot.” Insiders say while meetings with other talent have taken place, producers never wavered on trying to land the role for Malek and have worked hard for months to accommodate both shoots.

The two female leads seem to be the most open-ended as of now. Further chemistry reads with Craig are still being scheduled, since these two characters will spend the most amount of time with him on screen. It’s unknown how far along they are in this process.

MGM had no comment regarding any news related to casting for the film.

Fukunaga turned in his recent draft at the beginning of the year, and while reports surfaced that major rewrite work was done to the script, sources say no significant changes were made, and the producers and Craig were excited with what Fukunaga had delivered.

Lea Seydoux, Ralph Fiennes, and Naomie Harris will also be reprising their roles in the new installment. A recent release date change from Feb. 14 to April 8, 2020, positioned the 25th entry in the series better for the summer season.

Universal will be handling international distribution on “Bond 25,” while MGM oversees domestic in partnership with Annapurna through the new United Artists Releasing label.

[GeneChing]

Danny Boyle Calls His Bond 25 Departure ‘A Great Shame’ – Exclusive (https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/danny-boyle-calls-bond-25-departure-great-shame/)

https://cdn.empireonline.com/jpg/70/0/0/640/480/aspectfit/0/0/0/0/0/0/c/articles/5c9398a2133d503e3a4808f6/danny-boyle.jpg
Danny Boyle

After directing Daniel Craig’s James Bond briefly in his Olympics opening ceremony, Danny Boyle was set to return to the world of 007 as the director of Bond 25 – but that all went awry when he left the project in August last year, owing to creative differences with Craig and producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson. His proposed version, with a script by his longtime writing collaborator John Hodge, was abandoned, with True Detective and Maniac director Cary Joji Fukunaga stepping in at the helm, and regular Bond writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade back on scripting duties (with extra polish from Scott Z Burns).

Speaking to Empire for our 30th birthday celebrations – Boyle is one of the directors on our 30 Adventurous Filmmakers list – the British movie maestro took on your reader questions. Among them was Ben Gummery, asking: ‘What would your James Bond film have been like?’ According to Boyle, it would have been… well, really good.

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Daniel Craig as James Bond

“What John [Hodge] and I were doing, I thought, was really good,” Boyle responded. “It wasn’t finished, but it could have been really good.” The filmmaker added that he ‘learned quite a lot about himself’ from the experience, and has no ill feeling towards Fukunaga or the project's current iteration. “We were working very, very well, but they didn’t want to go down that route with us,” he explained on his departure. “So we decided to part company, and it would be unfair to say what it was because I don’t know what Cary [Joji Fukunaga] is going to do. I got a very nice message from him and I gave him my best wishes… It is just a great shame.”

Since Boyle left the project, it’s undergone a few delays – but as it currently stands, the film will now arrive on 8 April 2020, possibly with Bohemian Rhapsody’s Rami Malek as its villain. Bond 25 is reported to be shooting under the production title Shatterhand – though Barbara Broccoli has debunked claims that it will be the film’s official name.


I do like Boyle. I luved Trainspotting. Still do.

[GeneChing]

Still about a year out...:rolleyes:


APRIL 25, 2019 5:26am PT by Alex Ritman
'James Bond 25' Cast Unveiled, But Still No Title (https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/james-bond-25-cast-revealed-rami-malek-confirmed-1204624)

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'Spectre,' Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures/Columbia Pictures
Daniel Craig as 007 in 'Spectre'

Rami Malek is officially revealed as the chief villain, while 'Fleabag' creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge is confirmed as having joined the writing team.
What has been known for several years simply as Bond 25 is now... still Bond 25.

In a special announcement on Thursday, producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson together with director Cary Joji Fukanaga revealed who would be joining Daniel Craig in his fifth and final 007 outing, and teased elements of the plot, but didn't unveil a title.

Rami Malek, fresh from his Oscar-winning turn in Bohemian Rhapsody and rumoured as the main villain for some time, was officially confirmed, alongside Lea Seydoux, reprising her role as Dr. Madelaine Swann from the previous Bond outing Spectre, plus Ben Whishaw who returns as Q, Ralph Fiennes as M and Naomie Harris as Miss Moneypenny. Also returning are Spectre's Rory Kinnear and Jeffrey Wright, who appeared in Quantum of Solace, while newcomers include Ana de Armas (Blade Runner 2049), Billy Magnussen (Game Night), Dali Benssalah, Lashana Lynch (Captain Marvel) and David Dencik (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy).

However, for those hoping for a title – the subject of much online speculation – Wilson said that this wasn't ready to announce, claiming that keeping it a secret was "a tradition" (although Spectre's title was revealed during it's official launch)

Instead, fans were given details of the plot, which sees Bond having left active service and is enjoying a tranquil life in Jamaica. But his peace is short-lived when his old friend Felix Leiter from the CIA turns up asking for help. The mission to rescue a kidnapped scientist turns out to be far more treacherous than expected, leading Bond onto the trail of a mysterious villain armed with dangerous new technology.

Fukanaga said the locations would include Jamaica, Norway, where the team has already shot, Pinewood and London before finishing in Italy.

Bond 25, from longstanding 007 gatekeeper and producer Eon, is being released in the U.S. on April 8, 2020 by Metro Goldwyn Mayer through its United Artists Releasing joint venture with Annapurna, and through Universal and MGM in the U.K. and internationally from April 3, 2020.

Rather than the usual press conference at the U.K.’s Pinewood Studios, considered 007’s spiritual home, the announcement was made via a live-stream from Jamaica, the scene for iconic titles including Dr. No and Live and Let Die and the home of Bond creator Ian Fleming's Goldeneye villa. Most of the cast were in attendance, with the exception of Malek, who recorded a message from New York.

"I promise you all I will be making sure Mr. Bond does not have an easy ride of it in this, his 25th outing," he said. Speaking later on Good Morning America, Malek described Bond as "the perfect following up to Bohemian Rhapsody, going from one iconic Brit to an iconic British franchise."

Although the wheels now seem to be fully in motion, the 25th Bond has already been through more ups and downs than most 007 titles.

Trainspotting director Danny Boyle was originally set to helm from a script he had put together with his long-standing collaborator John Hodge. But they parted ways with Eon over “creative differences” and Fukunaga was announced in late 2018, with regular Bond scribes Neil Purvis and Robert Wade having returned to the writing team, later joined by The Bourne Ultimatum's Scott Z. Burns. Just last month, reports emerged that Fleabag creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge had been brought on board to liven up the script. Waller-Bridge's involvement was confirmed by Wilson.

The various changes have seen the release of the film — which has already begun some pre-production work in Italy, Norway and Jamaica, and at its regular base at Pinewood — get pushed back several from late 2019 to February 2020 and now April 2020.

[GeneChing]

JUNE 04, 2019 11:00am PT by Alex Ritman
'Bond 25' Accident Leaves Crewmember Injured, Pinewood Stage Damaged (https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/bond-25-accident-leaves-crew-member-injured-pinewood-stage-damaged-1215578)

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'Spectre,' Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures/Columbia Pictures
Daniel Craig in 'Spectre'

A controlled explosion went wrong while filming on the 25th 007 film.
Bond 25 has suffered yet another setback, following a major accident on set at Pinewood Studios in the U.K.

According to a statement from the official James Bond Twitter account, a controlled explosion went wrong, resulting in damage to the exterior of the famed 007 stage at the iconic studio. While it claimed there were no injuries on set, it did report that a crewmember outside the stage had suffered a "minor injury."


View image on Twitter (https://twitter.com/007/status/1135964684916613125?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5 Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1135964684916613125&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hollywoodreporter.com%2F heat-vision%2Fbond-25-accident-leaves-crew-member-injured-pinewood-stage-damaged-1215578)
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James Bond
✔
@007
During the filming of a controlled explosion on the set of Bond 25 today at Pinewood Studios, damage was caused to the exterior of the 007 Stage. There were no injuries on set, however one crew member outside the stage has sustained a minor injury.

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The Sun newspaper claimed that crew were testing a stunt involving a fireball in a laboratory when the incident took place.

"There were three huge explosions and it’s blown part of the Bond stage roof off and some wall panels off the stage," a source told the paper. "There were three loud explosions, one after another, and a member of the crew was lying on the floor outside the building injured."

The news lands just weeks after 007 himself Daniel Craig reportedly damaged ankle ligaments while shooting in Jamaica, with production cancelled for a week as he underwent surgery.

Cary Joji Fukunaga helms the latest Bond instalment, having stepped in to replace outgoing director Danny Boyle in 2018. The lineup, which was unveiled in April, sees Rami Malek cast as the main villain, while Ben Whishaw will return as Q. Also, Lea Seydoux will reprise her role from 2015's Spectre as Dr. Madeleine Swann, Naomie Harris will return as Miss Moneypenny and Ralph Fiennes will be back as M.

The film's plot begins with Bond enjoying a tranquil life in Jamaica after leaving active service. But his peace is short-lived when his old friend Felix Leiter from the CIA turns up asking for help. The mission to rescue a kidnapped scientist turns out to be far more treacherous than expected, leading 007 onto the trail of a mysterious villain armed with dangerous new technology.

I'm glad they are going back to Jamaica. If you know the original Fleming books, you know how much JA figures prominently in Bondage.

[GeneChing]

Bold move.




The black woman who will be the next 007: New James Bond film will feature British actress Lashana Lynch taking over the famous codename (but that doesn't stop legendary agent trying to seduce her) (https://www.gq.com/story/lashana-lynch-james-bond)
In a 'popcorn-dropping moment' the actress is handed Bond's number
Bond girls have been renamed as Bond women in the new movie
The new Bond movie pays tribute to the past 007 films
By CAROLINE GRAHAM FOR THE MAIL ON SUNDAY IN LOS ANGELES
PUBLISHED: 17:02 EDT, 13 July 2019 | UPDATED: 04:20 EDT, 15 July 2019

Since Daniel Craig announced he was standing down as James Bond, debate has raged whether the next 007 should be a woman, or black.

Now The Mail on Sunday can reveal that she will be both – thanks to the intervention of feminist TV writer Phoebe Waller-Bridge.

In what's been called a 'popcorn-dropping moment', British star Lashana Lynch, will be given Bond's licence to kill in the 25th movie in the franchise, currently being shot in Italy and the UK.

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/07/13/21/16009112-7244623-image-a-11_1563048356192.jpg
Come in 007: British star Lashana Lynch walks in when the James Bond spy number is called

However, traditionalists can relax: she's not the new Bond, but a new character who takes over his secret agent number after he leaves MI6.

The story begins with Bond retired in Jamaica. But spymaster M – played by Ralph Fiennes – calls him back in desperation to tackle a new global crisis.

A movie insider said: 'There is a pivotal scene at the start of the film where M says 'Come in 007', and in walks Lashana who is black, beautiful and a woman.

'It's a popcorn-dropping moment. Bond is still Bond but he's been replaced as 007 by this stunning woman.

'Bond, of course, is sexually attracted to the new female 007 and tries his usual seduction tricks, but is baffled when they don't work on a brilliant, young black woman who basically rolls her eyes at him and has no interest in jumping into his bed. Well, certainly not at the beginning.'

The source added that the phrase 'Bond girls' is now forbidden, saying: 'We were all told that from now on they are to be addressed as 'Bond women'.'

Waller-Bridge, who wrote the BBC comedy Fleabag and the female-led thriller Killing Eve, was recruited to ensure the 57-year-old franchise moved with the times. She said: 'There's been a lot of talk about whether or not Bond is relevant now because of who he is and the way he treats women.

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/07/13/21/16009108-7244671-image-a-9_1563049931541.jpg
007: Daniel Craig in action in the new movie which promises to be packed with humour

'I think that's b******s. I think he's absolutely relevant now. [The franchise] has just got to grow. It has just got to evolve, and the important thing is that the film treats the women properly. He doesn't have to. He needs to be true to his character.'

Ms Lynch, 31, had a breakthrough role as the fighter pilot Maria Rambeau in Captain Marvel, released earlier this year.

Film-makers create avatar of Daniel Craig’s face for dangerous stunts
Daniel Craig’s desire to do all his own stunts on the new Bond film has been thwarted by injury.

But now producers have come up with a high-tech solution worthy of Q to make it look as if he’s in the thick of the action.

Special-effects wizards have created a computer avatar of the 51-year-old star, which will enable his face to be digitally superimposed on to the body of his stunt double – Frenchman Jean-Charles Rousseau, 31.

Craig was forced to change his stunt plans after injuring an ankle while filming a chase scene in Jamaica in May. In his 13 years as Bond, he has also smashed two teeth, dislocated a shoulder, sprained a knee and sliced the tip off one of his fingers.

A source said: ‘Daniel is in great shape but there are some scenes he can’t do because they are too physically challenging. Plus the insurance company won’t let him. So his face will be superimposed later.’

Originally from Hammersmith, West London, she made her debut in the 2011 drama Fast Girls, has appeared in Silent Witness and Death In Paradise and was a regular cast member on the short-lived 2015 BBC show Crims. She also played Rosaline Capulet in the American period drama series Still Star-Crossed, set after the deaths of Romeo and Juliet.

The source said: 'Lashana is absolutely brilliant and Phoebe's script is as sharp and funny as you would expect. This Bond pays tribute to some of the earlier films with a lot of humour.'

Indeed, one photograph taken on set shows Ms Lynch in a safari suit similar to the one Roger Moore famously wore when he played 007.

'This is a Bond for the modern era who will appeal to a younger generation while sticking true to what we all expect in a Bond film,' the source added. 'There are spectacular chase sequences and fights, and Bond is still Bond but he's having to learn to deal with the world of #MeToo.'

So hopefully the script will be the least of the problems for a film that has already been hit by the replacement of original director Danny Boyle, injury to Craig, and a crew member getting hurt in an explosion on set.

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Rolling back the years: Lashana Lynch's outfit will be inspired by the Roger Moore's safari suit

[GeneChing]

Changed the title of this thread from 'Bond 25' to 'No Time to Die'


“No Time To Die” Official Title of the 25th James Bond Film
Directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga
Produced by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli
Starring Daniel Craig as James Bond 007
“No Time To Die” is Set to Release in the U.K. on April 3 and in the U.S on April 8

LOS ANGELES – August 20, 2019 – James Bond Producers, Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli today released the official title of the 25th James Bond adventure, No Time To Die. The film, from Albert R. Broccoli’s EON Productions, Metro Goldwyn Mayer Studios (MGM), and Universal Pictures International is directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga (Beasts of No Nation, True Detective) and stars Daniel Craig, who returns for his fifth film as Ian Fleming’s James Bond 007. Written by Neal Purvis & Robert Wade (Spectre, Skyfall), Cary Joji Fukunaga, Scott Z. Burns (Contagion, The Bourne Ultimatum) and Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Killing Eve, Fleabag) No Time To Die is currently in production. The film will be released globally from April 3, 2020 in the U.K. through Universal Pictures International and in the U.S on April 8, from MGM via their United Artists Releasing banner.

No Time To Die also stars Rami Malek, Léa Seydoux, Lashana Lynch, Ben Whishaw, Naomie Harris, Billy Magnussen, Ana de Armas, Rory Kinnear, David Dencik, Dali Benssalah with Jeffrey Wright and Ralph Fiennes.

In No Time To Die, Bond has left active service and is enjoying a tranquil life in Jamaica. His peace is short-lived when his old friend Felix Leiter from the CIA turns up asking for help. The mission to rescue a kidnapped scientist turns out to be far more treacherous than expected, leading Bond onto the trail of a mysterious villain armed with dangerous new technology.

Other members of the creative team are; Composer Dan Romer, Director of Photography Linus Sandgren, Editors Tom Cross and Elliot Graham, Production Designer Mark Tildesley, Costume Designer Suttirat Larlarb, Hair and Make-up Designer Daniel Phillips, Supervising Stunt Coordinator Olivier Schneider, Stunt Coordinator Lee Morrison and Visual Effects Supervisor Charlie Noble. Returning members to the team are; 2nd Unit Director Alexander Witt, Special Effects and Action Vehicles Supervisor Chris Corbould and Casting Director Debbie McWilliams.

Casino Royale, Quantum Of Solace, Skyfall and Spectre have grossed more than $3.1 billion in worldwide box office collectively. Skyfall ($1.1 billion) and Spectre ($880 million) are the two highest-grossing films in the franchise.

Official Posts:
• 007.com: https://www.007.com/no-time-to-die-is-the-official-title-of-bond-25/
• YouTube: https://youtu.be/ChJ_afRiUzo
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/007/status/1163843400644403200
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesBond007/videos/2465973060090354
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/B1ZENeKATNd/

[GeneChing]

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Bond Women: How Rising Stars Lashana Lynch and Ana de Armas Are Helping Modernize 007 (https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/features/how-lashana-lynch-ana-de-armas-are-helping-modernize-james-bond-1252345)
by Rebecca Ford November 06, 2019, 5:00am PST

In London with the 'No Time to Die' actresses, part of The Hollywood Reporter's Next Gen Talent list, as they open up about bringing James Bond into the #MeToo age: "There is an evolution."
When Ana de Armas first arrived at London’s Pinewood Studios to shoot No Time to Die, the 25th installment in the James Bond franchise, she was a bit starstruck — though not when introduced to lead Daniel Craig. It happened as she was walking into a meeting with director Cary Joji Fukunaga, who was chatting with Phoebe Waller-Bridge, the British creator of Fleabag and Killing Eve who’d been hired to bring a fresh female perspective (and some humor) to the film’s script.

"I saw Phoebe, and I just blushed — I got red like a tomato," says de Armas, 31. "I was like, 'Oh my God, can I hug you? I want to be your friend.' " De Armas' co-star, Lashana Lynch, had a similar reaction when she learned of Waller-Bridge's involvement. "I very literally squealed when I first heard her name," says Lynch, 31. "I thought, 'Oh my gosh, British girl just like me. She's going to know how to actually take care of women onscreen.' "

Never has that been so critical for a Bond film. When it's released April 10, the $250 million No Time to Die will be the first entry in the series to land in a #MeToo and Time's Up world. And while the $7 billion franchise may forever be best known for its womanizing namesake agent, director Fukunaga (True Detective, Beasts of No Nation) and producer Barbara Broccoli have worked hard with both Lynch and de Armas to create a new type of female Bond character who is much more fully realized than the "Bond girls" of films past.

"It's pretty obvious that there is an evolution in the fact that Lashana is one of the main characters in the film and wears the pants — literally. I wear the gown. She wears the pants," says de Armas, curled up in a chair in the lobby of London's Charlotte Street Hotel.

She and Lynch, chatting about their career trajectories for THR's annual Next Gen issue, are both in the midst of breakout years. In addition to Bond, de Armas plays a lead in Rian Johnson's Knives Out (Nov. 27) and will portray Marilyn Monroe in Netflix's Blonde, arriving in 2020. Lynch co-starred in March's blockbuster Captain Marvel and will soon begin shooting FX's anticipated comic book adaptation of Y: The Last Man.

Now they are one week away from wrapping what has been an epic six-month Bond shoot, and both are exhausted. De Armas pours two packets of sugar into her coffee. "I use a lot of sugar," says the Cuban-Spanish actress apologetically as she cracks open still another packet. "I usually put condensed milk in it — we call it café bon bon."

Lynch, who plays a British agent in the film, is presently at her West London home sleeping after shooting late into the night, but during an interview at the Ace Hotel the next day, her voice cracks from strain and she orders a hot tea. "Luckily, we don't have any speaking scenes next week, so I don't have to use it," she says.

These two rising stars don't have much in common when it comes their paths to Bond. One was born in Cuba. The other in London to Jamaican parents. One cut her teeth on Spanish TV, the other on the stage. But both have roots tied to this latest Bond outing, which is set in Cuba and Jamaica. And through their characters, they're helping redefine what it means to be a Bond heroine. "Everyone was really responsive to having her be what I wanted," says Lynch. "You're given a fresh perspective on a brand-new black woman in the Bond world."

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Zoe McConnell
“Onscreen, I want to see the world as I see it when I open my front door in the morning,” says Lynch when it comes to representation. “If I have anything to do with it, it will happen.”

Bond girls have a complicated history. For decades, they've had a reputation for being eye candy, wooed by Bond and then cast off. In 1964's Goldfinger, ***** Galore (Honor Blackman) says repeatedly she's not interested, but Bond tosses her to the ground and kisses her; in From Russia With Love (1963), Bond attempts to beat a confession out of Tatiana Romanova (Daniela Bianchi); and in 1971's Diamonds Are Forever, Bond pulls a bikini top off Marie (Denise Perrier) and strangles her with it. Recent films have brought more fully realized female characters into the series, including Judi Dench's M, Naomie Harris' Moneypenny and Léa Seydoux's Madeleine Swann, the latter two of whom return in No Time to Die. Still, both de Armas and Lynch paused before signing on.

"[The women] have been sexualized before, a stereotype, a kind of woman who will always be in danger and waiting to be rescued by Bond," says de Armas.

De Armas notes that she has worked hard to avoid being typecast. After attending Cuba's National Theater School, she moved to Spain when she 18. "Literally two weeks after I moved, I was cast as one of the lead actors in a new TV show that became like the most successful TV show for the next three years," she says of booking El Internado, a drama set at a boarding school. But after a few years in Madrid, she found herself outgrowing it — she was 22 playing 16. She moved to Los Angeles, where her Hands of Stone co-star Édgar Ramírez introduced her to his agent.

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Zoe McConnell
“There’s been an evolution. She’s not just there, going from point A to B, just walking and looking beautiful,” says de Armas of her character in Bond. “She has a purpose.”

The problem was, she didn't speak English. She found herself at CAA, sitting with "a full team that I really couldn't communicate with," she says. She even booked a major horror film, Knock Knock with Keanu Reeves, without speaking the language. "I learned it phonetically," she says. "I wasn't really sure what I was saying." She quickly enrolled in English classes and, as soon as she could say a few words, called her team with a mandate — she didn't want to go out for Latin-specific roles: "I said, 'I don't want to audition for Maria, Juana and Lola and all these things. I want to audition for the same parts that everybody is auditioning for.' "

She booked War Dogs with Miles Teller and Jonah Hill and Overdrive with Scott Eastwood. A role in 2017's Blade Runner 2049 as Ryan Gosling's love interest was supposed to be her breakout, but the film underperformed. "I think I was home literally doing nothing for a year," she says. The paycheck did allow her to buy her first big splurge, a house in Cuba, which she still visits regularly.

When her agents told her about a role in Knives Out, Johnson's comedic mystery ensemble, she was put off by the "pretty Latina caretaker" logline and passed on even auditioning. "I'm like, 'Latina again, really? No! I am not doing this.' " She only agreed to go in when they sent her the script and she realized the part was the heart of the film, a kind caregiver with secrets of her own who is swept up in the family drama (and vomits when she's lying). "She's obviously got tremendous skills as an actor," says Johnson, who cast her, "but those eyes, man, you just look at those eyes and instantly you're on her side." (The film features her Bond co-star Craig as well as Toni Collette, Chris Evans and Michael Shannon.)

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Dave J Hogan/Dave J Hogan/Getty Images
From left, Sylvia Hoeks, Harrison Ford, Ryan Gosling and de Armas promoted Blade Runner 2049.

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Claire Folger/Lionsgate
De Armas (left) and Katherine Langford in Knives Out. continued next post

[GeneChing]

It was Bond producer Broccoli, who has overseen the franchise with her half brother Michael G. Wilson since 1995, who first thought of de Armas for No Time to Die. The two had met five years earlier, when de Armas, still new to L.A., was brought to Soho House by Knock Knock producer Colleen Camp. She introduced the actress to Broccoli, who was there with Spectre helmer Sam Mendes. "We met very briefly because I couldn't say anything [in English]," says de Armas. "But I guess Barbara never forgot that meeting." When de Armas had wrapped Knives Out, she says she got a call from Fukunaga, who told her that part of the Bond film is set in Cuba and "he wanted to write something for me."

Broccoli, who also was key in bringing Lynch on board, has been vocal about the franchise's need to evolve. "#MeToo has influenced our culture, which is a great thing, so of course it's going to influence everything we do on Bond," she told the Daily Mail in April. "The films are representative of the times they're in."

After producing a 2018 London play in which Lynch starred, Broccoli reached out to the actress for the role of Nomi (Lupita Nyong'o previously had been eyed, but a deal was never made, according to sources). "I trusted Barbara from the beginning," says Lynch. "I think the franchise has changed so much over the years — with the past five movies, I've witnessed the change."

Lynch, who is of Jamaican descent, was born and raised in London, and describes herself as a "London girl through and through." She attended ArtsEd drama school then jumped into theater work, doing odd jobs to make ends meet (retail, a car service). "There was never a plan B, from 5 years old to now, there's never been one," she says. After her feature debut, the 2013 British film Fast Girls, she starred in the short-lived 2017 ABC series Still Star-Crossed, produced by Shonda Rhimes, and signed with ICM.

Her big break came when she landed the part of Maria Rambeau, a former Air Force pilot and a single mother, in Captain Marvel, which earned $1.1 billion worldwide. "Getting into the Marvel universe was something that I'd been aiming for for two to three years," says Lynch, who had sent tapes in for Black Panther and Spider-Man: Homecoming.

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Walt Disney Studios
Lynch in Captain Marvel.

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Charley Gallay/Getty Images
From left: Lynch, Brie Larson and Gemma Chan at the March premiere of Captain Marvel, in which Lynch plays a pilot and single mom.

"It's her empathy," says Captain Marvel star Brie Larson of Lynch's appeal. "It is impossible not to connect with her when you're watching her onscreen."

Lynch says creating her Bond character was about working with Waller-Bridge and Fukunaga to shape a real woman. "I didn't want someone who was slick. I wanted someone who was rough around the edges and who has a past and a history and has issues with her weight and maybe questions what's going on with her boyfriend," she says.

She even talked to Waller-Bridge, who is only the second woman in the history of the franchise to be a credited writer after Johanna Harwood (1962's Dr. No and 1963's From Russia With Love), about adding an issue that nearly every woman faces but rarely makes its way into action films. "We had one conversation about her maybe being on her period in one scene, and maybe at the beginning of the scene — and I spoke to Cary about this — throwing her tampon in the thing," says Lynch, making a motion of tossing trash into the bin. (She's mum about whether it made it in.)

No Time to Die suffered no shortage of offscreen drama. Though both Lynch and de Armas joined after the director switch-up (Danny Boyle was attached but dropped out over "creative differences"), they were both impacted when Craig sustained an ankle injury in May while filming in Jamaica and had to undergo surgery. "Daniel is fierce and wonderful, and I'm sure if his eyeball was falling out he'd still be at work giving his best and giving the best shots ever," says Lynch, who continued filming while Craig recovered. De Armas' schedule was shuffled, so she left for three months and returned in October to film her scenes.

Along with London's Pinewood, where the Cuba scenes were shot on a set, the cast filmed in Scotland, Italy, Norway and Jamaica, the latter of which was especially significant for Lynch, whose parents emigrated when they were teens. "There's a heat and spice that comes with Jamaica that no matter what you're shooting, whether it's a drama or an action movie, you can't help but feel that," she says.

Being a part of one of the biggest franchises in movie history — and one of the most secretive — brought its own challenges. Rumors leak, both true and not (for example, de Armas says reports of an intimacy coach being hired for her scenes with Craig are false). Everything the actresses say about the film makes headlines — and they can't say much. In the lobby of the Charlotte Street Hotel, de Armas begins to talk about Paloma, then gets nervous. "I don't know how much I can tell you," she says. Five months out, only their character names have been officially confirmed, though when pressed, both actresses do divulge a little more than previously known.
continued next post

[GeneChing]

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Zoe McConnell
"I have this unwavering confidence that whatever I’ve chosen to do is gonna happen," says Lynch. "I stand firm in what I’ve decided and have chosen my team very carefully in order to be of the same mind as me."

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Zoe McConnell
"She’s nervous, but then when she has to do what she needs to do, she nails it," says de Armas of her character in No Time to Die.

"[Paloma] is a character that is very irresponsible," says de Armas. "She's got this bubbliness of someone who is excited to be on a mission, but she plays with this ambiguity — you don't really know if she's like a really trained, prepared partner for Bond." Sure, de Armas is running around in a gorgeous gown with sky-high heels ("No one can train you or prepare you for that," she says), but she adds that "brains and looks are equal this time. She's very smart. She helps Bond navigate through certain things that he wouldn't be able to do alone."

So far, the biggest leak about No Time to Die is that Lynch's character begins the film having inherited the "007" designation from Bond, who has retired. (Lynch won't confirm the rumor, but sources close to the film tell THR that it's accurate.)

When the rumor leaked, the trolls on Twitter went crazy, with many people expressing fervent anger that a black woman was being named 007. Lynch says she's been taking it in stride. "It doesn't dishearten me. It makes me feel quite sad for some people because their opinions, they're not even from a mean place — they're actually from a sad place," she says. "It's not about me. People are reacting to an idea, which has nothing to do with my life."

She said every once in a while, she has messaged a hater back, usually saying something very nice. "Then they've been like, 'Oh my gosh, thank you so much!' But it's an interesting test because it reminds them that they definitely wouldn't say that to someone's face," she says, though she adds that she doesn't plan on interacting with trolls anymore.

It's not only Lynch and de Armas who have a lot riding on No Time to Die, but also studio MGM, which for the first time will distribute the film via its United Artists Releasing banner co-owned with Annapurna (Universal is handling international). "Lashana and Ana both have that magical combination of a remarkable acting range matched with undeniable charisma," says Jonathan Glickman, MGM's Motion Picture Group president, noting that the team behind Bond is "committed to continuing to bring on emerging talents that allow the films to expand their relevance."

In the meantime, both actresses will remain busy until they take off on the global promotional tour ahead of the film's release. In the new year, Lynch will shoot FX's new series Y, based on the comic book series Y: The Last Man, set in a postapocalyptic world where women rule after a cataclysmic event leaves just one man alive. "Every female character has agency and is equipped to take over the world, which is a nice reflection of where the world — and our industry in particular — is going right now," she says.

De Armas' Marilyn Monroe biopic Blonde, from Plan B and Netflix, is awaiting a release date. "It's not what I think people think or have seen before about Marilyn," she says. "It's a very deep, raw, dark side of the same story we think we know — behind the smiles and the glamour." She's going straight from the Bond set to New Orleans to shoot New Regency's erotic thriller Deep Water with Ben Affleck. She says, with a wry smile, "So maybe I'll sleep next year, someday."

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Zoe McConnell
"I want her to have things that she’s dealing with before she enters a scene," says Lynch of her Bond character. "I think I had enough space to explore her humanity as much as I could."

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Zoe McConnell
Between filming Bond, de Armas shot her Marilyn Monroe film, Blonde, in Los Angeles. "It was two months of extremely intense, emotional, exhausting work," she says. "I was in every scene, in every shot. It was the most intense feeling."


This story first appeared in the Nov. 6 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine.
Bond girls to Bond women :cool:

[GeneChing]

EXCLUSIVE: The 'wokest' 007 ever: James Bond gets an electric Aston Martin and a wife who refuses to take his second name in new Time To Die movie (but rude innuendo survives thanks to Fleabag's Phoebe Waller-Bridge) (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-7668333/Bond-gets-electric-car-wife-refuses-second-Time-Die-film.html)
James Bond will drive an electric Aston Martin Rapide E in the upcoming film
The script has Mr Bond marrying a doctor who then refuses to take his last name
Fans might be surprised that innuendo has survived the 'woke' Bond makeover
By CAROLINE GRAHAM IN LOS ANGELES FOR THE MAIL ON SUNDAY
PUBLISHED: 17:01 EST, 9 November 2019 | UPDATED: 21:52 EST, 10 November 2019

It has been billed as the most politically correct James Bond movie yet – but No Time To Die has not entirely done away with Benny Hill-style innuendo, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.

In one scene, Daniel Craig's suave secret agent is struggling to get a seaplane airborne as his passenger cries out 'Get it up! Get it up!' – prompting the wry reply: 'I've never had a problem with that before.'

Fans who have come to love such doubles entendres might be surprised that they have survived the franchise's 'woke' makeover that has banned outdated sexism and introduced strong female characters, such as Lashana Lynch as another top British secret agent.

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/11/09/19/20806672-7668333-image-m-12_1573328703928.jpg
The script has Bond marrying Dr Madeleine Swann – the psychologist played by French actress Lea Seydoux who first appeared in 2015's Spectre. But she refuses to take her new husband's name. The pair are pictured together above

However, plans for her to become the first black, female 007 – taking over the codename from Craig's Bond after he retires – could be scrapped after a social-media backlash. Sources say she is now likely to get another agent number, 001.

Earlier this year, this newspaper revealed that Fleabag creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge had been brought in as a scriptwriter to ensure the blockbuster was appropriate for the #MeToo era.

And now we have learned more secrets from the £200 million movie, due out in April.

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Crew members were given reusable water bottles which they filled from taps, saving an estimated 230,000 single-use plastic water bottles. Daniel Craig is pictured above with reusable drink bottle on set

The script has Bond marrying Dr Madeleine Swann – the psychologist played by French actress Lea Seydoux who first appeared in 2015's Spectre. But she refuses to take her new husband's name.

The morning after their wedding, Bond wakes sleepy-eyed and says 'Good morning, Mrs Bond', to which she replies: 'Don't you mean Ms Swann?'

A source said: 'The phrase 'Bond girl' was outlawed from the set. The women in this film are all strong, brave and fiercely independent. These women are not helpless girls who jump into bed with Bond – their reactions are very different from what people might think.

'Bond tries his usual seduction techniques but they fail miserably. It's very funny.'

Ms Lynch, 31, said of her double-O role: 'Everyone was really responsive to having her be what I wanted. You're given a fresh perspective on a brand-new black woman in the Bond world.'

She was determined her character should be a 'real' woman 'who has issues with her weight and maybe questions what's going on with her boyfriend'.

She even discussed something which has never made it into a Bond film before: 'We had one conversation about her maybe being on her period in one scene and… throwing her tampon [into the bin].'

At the start of the new film, Bond has officially 'retired' to Jamaica.

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Fans who have come to love such doubles entendres might be surprised that they have survived the franchise's 'woke' makeover that has banned outdated sexism and introduced strong female characters, such as Lashana Lynch as another top British secret agent

A movie insider said the original plan was for a 'popcorn-dropping moment' when M, played by Ralph Fiennes, says 'Come in 007' and 'this beautiful, strong black woman walks through the door'.

Craig's Bond is brought out of retirement to work alongside the female special agent to save the world from a villain who has developed a deadly algae which threatens to kill the world's oceans – a nod to the concerns of climate campaigners.

In that vein, producers were determined to make the most environmentally friendly 007 film ever.

Crew members were given reusable water bottles which they filled from taps, saving an estimated 230,000 single-use plastic water bottles.

More than 11 tons of packaging waste was also recycled, while producers sent 30 tons of food waste and biodegradable packaging to 'anaerobic digestion', in which micro-organisms break down material, producing a gas that can be used to generate electricity.

A further 1.6 tons of food was donated to feed the homeless through the City Harvest charity.

Even Bond's beloved gas-guzzling Aston Martin hasn't escaped the green makeover.

Craig will drive an electric Rapide E model. Only 155 of the £250,000 vehicles have been built.

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/11/09/22/20806732-7668333-Adele_won_an_Oscar_for_the_theme_to_2012_s_Skyfall _and_now_specu-a-1_1573339573712.jpg
Adele won an Oscar for the theme to 2012's Skyfall, and now speculation is rife that the singer-songwriter – who is about to release a new album – is working on the theme song for No Time To Die

However, the character hasn't stopped flying, with filming having taken place in Italy, Jamaica, Norway and London.

The 'get it up' double entendre comes after Bond commandeers a seaplane as police cars, sirens wailing, race along a jetty. He lands the plane on a fishing trawler and a major fight sequence takes place.

For all the changes, fans might be able to look forward to the return of one high-value asset: Adele.

She won an Oscar for the theme to 2012's Skyfall, and now speculation is rife that the singer-songwriter – who is about to release a new album – is working on the theme song for No Time To Die.

'[Producer] Barbara Broccoli and Daniel Craig both asked Adele to do the title music,' our 007 source said.

'Adele always said she didn't think she could top Skyfall but the rumour is that she's working on something.'

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Craig will drive an electric Rapide E model. Only 155 of the £250,000 vehicles have been built. However, the character hasn't stopped flying, with filming having taken place in Italy, Jamaica, Norway and London

Ian Fleming is spinning in his grave.

Actually, I take that back. Having read the original books, which were completely different in tone than the movie franchise, Ian was probably spinning in his grave when those first came out.

[GeneChing]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMrGxC60vzk

[GeneChing]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIhNsAtPbPI

[GeneChing]

https://pmcvariety.files.wordpress.com/2020/01/barbara-broccoli-and-michael-g-wilson-james-bond-007.jpg?w=1000&h=563&crop=1
CREDIT: GREG WILLIAMS/EON PRODUCTIONS

‘No Time to Die’: A Rare In-Depth Interview With the Keepers of James Bond (https://variety.com/2020/film/features/james-bond-no-time-to-die-barbara-broccoli-michael-wilson-1203466601/)
By BRENT LANG

For nearly 60 years on the silver screen, James Bond, the rakish secret agent who jets from one exotic port of call to another, romancing women and besting bad guys in the name of queen and country, has answered to one person. M, the no-nonsense intelligence chief, is the only one who can revoke the British spy’s license to kill. And even M isn’t always successful at reining in 007.

Off screen, it’s a different story. One family, the Broccolis, has long maintained an iron grip on the franchise. Thanks to a highly unique deal, they have been able to exert an unprecedented level of creative control, serving as the final arbiter on everything from the scripts to the casting to the promotional materials.

Eon Prods., the family’s company, splits profits with MGM/UA, the studio that has the right to finance and distribute all of the Bond movies.

“For better or worse, we are the custodians of this character,” says Barbara Broccoli, who oversees the franchise with her half-brother Michael G. Wilson. “We take that responsibility seriously.”

It’s an arrangement that was first hammered out by Broccoli’s father, the producer Albert “Cubby” Broccoli, when John F. Kennedy was president and the Twist was all the rage. Miraculously, that pact has prevailed through the decades and generations, enduring everything from corporate mergers and bankruptcies to shifting consumer tastes and geopolitical upheavals. The elder Broccoli died in 1996. but not before ceding control to his two children with the 1995 release of “GoldenEye,” a film that proved a sexist superspy, conceived by novelist Ian Fleming in the 1950s, still had a role to play in post-Cold War cinema.

Hollywood’s longest-running — and one of its most lucrative — franchises, the spy series has spawned 24 films that have collectively amassed $16.3 billion in global ticket sales, adjusted for inflation, according to a 2018 Forbes story on Bond by the numbers ($6.9 billion unadjusted, per data site The Numbers).

On April 10, “No Time to Die,” Eon’s 25th Bond adventure, will hit U.S. theaters, representing a moment of both triumph and uncertainty for the series. It serves as the culmination of Daniel Craig’s critically acclaimed, massively successful five-film run as 007; this time, after threatening to turn his back on the series for years, the star is insistent that he is finally holstering Bond’s Walther PPK for good.

“I’m in total denial,” says Broccoli. “I’ve accepted what Daniel has said, but I’m still in denial. It’s too traumatic for me.”

Broccoli, who joined Wilson in a rare sit-down interview with Variety last month, conducted in a drab Brooklyn studio far removed from the casinos, five-star hotels and villas that Bond habituates, weighs her words carefully. She’ll cast a reproachful eye at Wilson when his attempts at humor strike her as ill-considered. “Americans don’t do irony,” he notes at one point, gesturing toward his U.S.-born interrogator.

Unlike the famously chatty Bond villains who have a penchant for spilling every detail of their deadly schemes instead of concentrating on killing off 007, the plot details of “No Time to Die” are being closely held. There’s a paper-thin logline, one that states that Bond, having retired from active duty, finds himself pulled back into the world of espionage after a scientist is abducted. Neither Broccoli nor Wilson will reveal much beyond that, but they do promise that the film will tie up loose narrative threads left over from previous Craig outings.

“We have come to an emotionally satisfying conclusion,” says Broccoli.

On the press tour for 2015’s “Spectre,” Craig complained about the physical toll of playing Bond, saying that he would rather “slash my wrists” than return for another outing. After giving him time to rest and recuperate, Broccoli prevailed upon him to reconsider.

“Barbara doesn’t take no for an answer,” says Craig. “It’s not in her wheelhouse. I had a nice long break, which I really needed. And then she was just persistent and came to me with some ideas, which we started formulating, and I got excited again.”

Already, the media has begun speculating about who could step into Bond’s impeccably tailored tuxedo, with everyone from Idris Elba to Richard Madden finding himself at the center of chatter. Broccoli and Wilson insist they haven’t started to map out a post-Craig world; they’re focused on completing “No Time to Die,” an enormous, $250 million production. But they seem open to broadening the search beyond the usual suspects.

“You think of him as being from Britain or the Commonwealth, but Britain is a very diverse place,” Wilson says.


“For better or worse, we are the custodians of this character. We take that responsibility seriously.”
BARBARA BROCCOLI

There are certain things the duo appears open to considering, and other conversations that are nonstarters, when it comes to selecting the next Bond. “He can be of any color, but he is male,” says Broccoli. “I believe we should be creating new characters for women — strong female characters. I’m not particularly interested in taking a male character and having a woman play it. I think women are far more interesting than that.”

If anything, Broccoli and Wilson’s experience with Craig has emboldened them to shake up the Bond formula. On paper, the choice was shocking. Craig, with his blond hair, boxer’s swagger, creased face and gruff volatility, didn’t fit the mold. He wasn’t conventionally handsome, he didn’t smack of fine living and chateaubriand and he lacked the black or brown locks that previous Bonds, from Sean Connery to Pierce Brosnan, had all rocked — though in Connery’s case that was courtesy of a toupee. Craig’s selection was considered to be such an affront to 007 purists that websites, dubbed CraigNotBond, sprang up to decry his casting. Even the actor was surprised to win the role.

“I thought I was just on a conveyor belt of actors who go through their door,” remembers Craig. “I assumed they were just casting their net very wide. I thought I’d go and meet them and then have a story to tell friends about that time I was considered for Bond. When they suggested they were serious about me doing it, I was completely flattered but perplexed.”

It turned out, however, that Broccoli and Wilson were interested in doing something entirely different with the character. Although 2002’s “Die Another Day,” the last of Brosnan’s four-film run, had been the most financially successful movie in the series’ history with a worldwide gross of $432 million, its climax, replete with a giant space laser and an invisible car, pushed the story in a preposterous direction.

“We got too fantastical,” says Wilson. “We had to come back to Earth.”

They were also looking at a much different global situation than the one in which “Die Another Day” was conceived. “The world obviously had changed,” says Broccoli. “We’d had 9/11, and the stakes were higher, and we felt we needed a more realistic Bond.”

Martin Campbell, the director of “GoldenEye” and “Casino Royale,” says finding the right man to play a fresh version of the legendary superspy involved whittling the final list down to eight candidates. Craig, just off a red-eye from the U.S. set of “The Invasion,” was subjected to a series of screen tests. In one, he read a tense tête-à-tête in an office from “Casino Royale,” while in another he re-created a seduction scene that Connery performed in “From Russia With Love.”

“To be honest, it took me a little while to see it,” admits Campbell. “Daniel’s acting was terrific, but he wasn’t a pretty-boy. Barbara was adamantly in favor of him.” Campbell won’t say who else was considered, but one insider says Craig beat out the likes of Sam Worthington and Gerard Butler for the part. Despite the pushback, Broccoli knew she made the right call.

“He brought flesh and blood to the character,” she says. “Bond in the novel is a silhouette. Daniel has given him depth and an inner life. We were looking for a 21st-century hero, and that’s what he delivered. He bleeds; he cries; he’s very contemporary.”
continued next post

[GeneChing]

Barbara Broccoli grew up immersed in the world of Bond. In 1961, as Ursula Andress rose out of the sparkling waters of the Caribbean in a white bikini while filming an iconic scene from “Dr. No,” a diaper-wearing Broccoli, all of a year old, looked on from her mother’s lap. One of her earliest memories is of being sick on a remote Japanese island during the shooting of 1967’s “You Only Live Twice.” Connery intervened, lending the Broccoli family his personal doctor. School vacations were spent at Pinewood Studios, which designer Ken Adam would transform into the high-tech lairs for various Bond adversaries; or in whichever tropical paradise or European ski resort was being featured in the 007 installment of the moment.

Bond was such a vivid part of the family’s life that a young Broccoli became confused. “I thought James Bond was a real person until I was 7 or 8,” she says. “He was always talked about, so I didn’t think of him as a fictional character.”

Wilson, who at 77 is 18 years Broccoli’s senior (his mother, Dana, married Cubby Broccoli in 1959), had a different entry to the franchise that formed the basis of the family fortune. During a break from law school, he worked as one of the extras in the climax of “Goldfinger,” playing a Fort Knox guard. When Cubby Broccoli began having tax problems, Wilson, who specialized in that issue, grew more involved.

“I was a partner in a law firm at the time, but once I came in and got a taste for it, I never looked back,” Wilson says.

From advising on legal matters, Wilson quickly moved into the creative realm. He started as an assistant to the producer on 1977’s “The Spy Who Loved Me,” becoming executive producer on 1979’s “Moonraker” and moving on to full producer with 1985’s “A View to a Kill.” He also co-wrote five scripts for the series, beginning with 1981’s “For Your Eyes Only” and carrying through to 1989’s “License to Kill.” Wilson has continued to pop up in Bond films, making cameo appearances in every installment since 1977’s “The Spy Who Loved Me,” playing blink-and-you-miss-them roles as varied as “Greek priest at wedding” and “Man in corridor when M and C meet.”

People who have labored on the franchise say that Broccoli’s and Wilson’s abilities are complementary. “They both have strong points,” says Robert Wade, who has co-written seven Bond films, from “The World Is Not Enough” to “No Time to Die.” “Barbara is very much concerned with the emotional side of the story as well as the relevance of it to now. Michael’s got a very good story brain and has a macabre dimension that allows us to keep the Ian Fleming flavor of the thing.”

Privately, those who have worked with the pair describe Wilson as “cerebral” and keenly interested in exploring the inner workings of MI6. Broccoli is viewed as more finely attuned to what’s going on in the industry. She’s also willing to go toe-to-toe with studio heads, making it clear that she’s outlasted previous regimes and will still be standing when one film czar is deposed for another.

With the cast and crew, many of whom are long-standing Bond veterans, it’s another story. The pair tries to create a familial atmosphere on set.

“Barbara never stops taking care of the crew,” says Cary Joji Fukunaga, the director of “No Time to Die.” “When I was sick, she’d make me homemade soup. And Michael is like one of those old-school coaches who takes you aside and gives you a pep talk to keep your chin up if he thinks you might be down.”

They take their conservatorship seriously, reading and rereading all of Fleming’s novels to ensure they are remaining true to the essence of the character, even occasionally pulling out a dog-eared edition on the set of a film to prove a point. They see themselves as preserving a legacy, one they hope outlives them both. “Michael once told me, ‘No one wants to make the last Bond movie,’” says Neal Purvis, who has co-written seven Bond films with Wade. “The first time we went off to start writing, he said, ‘Don’t screw it up.’” continued next post

[GeneChing]

The duo will also use its authority to nix ideas — such as a “Smallville”-like television series that would have followed a teenage Bond at Eton — or to push for casting choices: The Broccolis were able to successfully tap Eva Green as the female lead in “Casino Royale” over studio concerns that the French star couldn’t master an English accent.

They haven’t won every battle. In the early aughts, Broccoli’s ambitions to have a James Bond spinoff film focused on Jinx, the secret agent played by Halle Berry in “Die Another Day,” were foiled when MGM got cold feet about the film’s $80 million budget. That decision left Broccoli incensed. One of her main goals as steward of 007 has been to shake off some of the chauvinism that characterized Bond’s appearances in the novels and early films.

With Craig in the lead, Bond has matured. He’s not just engaged in one-night stands (though he’s had his fair share of those). He fell in love with Green’s Vesper Lynd only to have his heart broken, then embarked on a mature relationship with Léa Seydoux’s Dr. Madeleine Swann, the psychologist he first met in “Spectre.” Those ties will be strained at the beginning of “No Time to Die,” when Swann’s past returns to haunt the couple in unexpected ways. The franchise has come a long way from the time when female characters were often named after sex acts or anatomical attributes (see: ***** Galore or Dr. Holly Goodhead).

But “No Time to Die” presents other challenges. It will be the first Bond movie released in the Time’s Up era. Issues of consent and workplace harassment have been fiercely debated since the last time Bond was on screen, launching his trademark double entendres. Broccoli says that the filmmakers were very careful to reflect the current mood and moment in their portrayal of women. Not only does Swann return, but “No Time to Die” will also include Ana de Armas as a CIA field agent and Lashana Lynch as an 00 operative — both are fully capable of holding their own in the action department.

“Bond’s been evolving along with all the other men in the world,” says Broccoli. “Some have just gotten there more quickly than others.”

“No Time to Die” is expected to dominate the box office when it opens in April, but it faced significant setbacks on its road to the big screen. Danny Boyle, the Oscar-winning director of “Slumdog Millionaire,” was originally tapped to oversee the film, and had reportedly wanted to make a movie that dealt with tensions between the West and Russia. Instead, he left the project shortly before shooting was to start, with the official reason being “creative differences.” Broccoli and Wilson aren’t deviating from that line.

“It was hard on both sides because we had mutual respect and admiration, but better to know [the differences] before you embark on a project,” says Broccoli. “We worked together well for a number of months, but there came a point when we were discussing the kind of film that we wanted to make, and we both came to the conclusion we were not aligned. Movies are very hard to make when you’re all on the same page. When you’re not, it’s basically impossible; We recognized that, and in a respectful way we realized that it wasn’t going to work out.”

The film’s release was ultimately pushed back from October 2019 to April 2020, while the producers scrapped the script that Boyle had been crafting with his collaborator, John Hodge. In Boyle’s place, they tapped Fukunaga, best known for overseeing the first season of “True Detective” and the child-soldier drama “Beasts of No Nation.” Commentators were surprised that Fukunaga, who had spent the bulk of his career making dark dramas, would want to shoot a popcorn pic. But he’d been on the producers’ radar for a long time. Broccoli initially had conversations with Fukunaga about directing “Spectre” before Sam Mendes, who had helmed “Skyfall,” came on board. Later, during a meal at En, a Japanese brasserie in New York, Fukunaga asked to be considered for future opportunities.

“We talked at length about who the next Bond could be — this was before Daniel had decided to come back — and concluded it may take years to find someone else as compelling,” Fukunaga remembers. Having grown up watching the movies, he was eager to slide behind the camera. “It’s the longest-running, most iconic film franchise,” he says. “You get to travel the world, work with the best talent, the finest actors out of the U.K. and go on a real adventure. Who would say no to that?”

When production was supposed to begin on “No Time to Die,” Fukunaga was unavailable, but his dance card freed up by the time Boyle left the project. Purvis and Wade were tapped to write an entirely new script with Fukunaga, while Broccoli and Wilson enlisted “Fleabag” creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge to do a polish, punching up dialogue and working on character development. Broccoli and Wilson say they’re thrilled with what Fukunaga delivered, calling it a visually arresting adventure that follows Bond from Jamaica to Norway, with a stop in the ancient Italian city of Matera.

“He’s brought a fresh new approach,” says Broccoli. “He’s made an emotionally engaging film. It’s epic both in the emotional scale and on the landscape scale.”

Fukunaga and cinematographer Linus Sandgren pushed to have “No Time to Die” shot on film instead of digital, believing it enhanced the look of the picture. They also used Imax cameras for key sequences. These decisions were made with an eye toward boosting the theatrical run of “No Time to Die.” But the film is hitting theaters at a moment of transition for the industry. Netflix has upended the way that people consume movies, providing a direct challenge to the exhibition industry. In the process, Disney has launched a streaming service and Comcast and WarnerMedia are preparing their own subscription offerings. For now, Broccoli says Bond’s future will remain on the big screen, but she doesn’t rule out the possibility that a future 007 adventure could debut on a streaming platform.

“We make these films for the audiences,” Broccoli says. “We like to think that they’re going to be seen primarily on the big screen. But having said that, we have to look to the future. Our fans are the ones who dictate how they want to consume their entertainment. I don’t think we can rule anything out, because it’s the audience that will make those decisions. Not us.”

“I believe we should be creating new characters for women — strong female characters. I’m not particularly interested in taking a male character and having a woman play it. I think women are far more interesting than that.” This is her motivation behind launching The Rhythm Section (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?70591-The-Rhythm-Section).

THREADS
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[GeneChing]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BgcG_l9J0A

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[GeneChing]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GB_S2qFh5lU&feature=emb_logo

[GeneChing]

James Bond flick ‘No Time to Die’ scraps China plans over coronavirus (https://nypost.com/2020/02/16/james-bond-flick-no-time-to-die-scraps-china-plans-over-coronavirus/)
By Lee Brown February 16, 2020 | 7:31pm

https://thenypost.files.wordpress.com/2020/02/no-time-to-die-china-web.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=618&h=410&crop=1
Daniel Craig in the upcoming "No Time to Die."Mega; EON prod

Well, it is called “No Time to Die.”

James Bond appears to have finally met his match: The Chinese premiere and a huge planned publicity tour of the country for the movie franchise’s latest installment have been cancelled because of the deadly coronavirus.

Daniel Craig and other key stars in the upcoming 25th Bond blockbuster were due to travel to China for the flick’s premiere, which was set for April in Beijing, the Sunday Times of London said.

But COVID-19, which has infected more than 69,000 people, has obliterated those plans.

More than 70,000 cinemas across China are currently closed because of the health scare, the report said, and a studio insider added that the key stars are unlikely to get clearance to travel there even if the cinemas start opening again by April.

Deadline confirmed the 007 tour of China also was off because of “uncertainty surrounding the evolution of the epidemic.”

With China being the world’s second biggest box-office market after the US, the Sunday Times said the situation could likely scupper expectations for “No Time to Die” to be the highest-grossing movie in Bond history. The flick is Craig’s last turn as the suave UK spy.

“When you talk about film making $1 billion worldwide, you don’t usually do it without a big chunk of that total coming from China,” Jeff Bock, a senior analyst at entertainment research firm Exhibitor Relations, told the paper.

Other Hollywood films postponed in China because of the health crisis include “1917,” “Doolittle,” “Little Women” and “Jojo Rabbit,” the paper noted.

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[GeneChing]

NEWS FEBRUARY 28, 2020 6:15AM PT
Hollywood Studios Assembling Coronavirus Strategy Teams (https://variety.com/2020/film/news/hollywood-coronavirus-no-time-to-die-mulan-1203518001/)
By BRENT LANG
Executive Editor of Film and Media
@https://twitter.com/BrentALang

https://pmcvariety.files.wordpress.com/2019/12/b25_25594_r-e1575469208183.jpg?w=1000&h=562&crop=1.
CREDIT: NICOLE DOVE

As coronavirus continues its deadly march across the globe, the outbreak is wreaking havoc with Hollywood’s efforts to launch major movies and shows. In the process, companies are asking employees to delay work trips to countries such as China, Japan, Italy and South Korea, the regions that have been the most affected by the disease, and they are scuttling promotional campaigns for several upcoming blockbusters.

Studios have already cancelled plans for China premieres for films such as Disney’s “Mulan” and the James Bond adventure “No Time to Die” — moves that could cost those movies tens of millions in box office revenue. Sony’s “Bloodsport” was also expected to screen in China, but that release date remains up in the air. Most of these films hadn’t gotten the official word from Chinese authorities that they would be allowed to screen in the country, but there’s little chance that will come any time soon, as movie theaters in China remain closed. There are also indications that several upcoming movies such as “Mulan,” “The Grudge,” and “Onward” will delay their release in Italy, where the number of cases recently jumped to 400. No major U.S. films will debut in the country this weekend. Globally, the disease, named COVID-19, has infected over 82,500 people and killed 2,810. Healthcare experts expect that number to climb as coronavirus continues to spread to other parts of the world.

No studios were willing to go on the record about their response to the crisis, but privately they said they were taking “a wait-and-see” approach as the number of hotspots expands. Many are in regular contact with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization as they assess the rapidly changing situation.

Most of the major studios have begun assembling advisory teams comprising members of their production, marketing, finance, and human resources staff to assess the potential impact of the disease. Part of their task is to figure out how staff in these affected areas can remain safe. In some cases, they’re encouraging people in areas where there are a growing number of cases to work from home, and helping to ensure the technology is in place to make that happen.

Another topic of discussion is the business ramifications of a health crisis that has the potential to grow into an epidemic or pandemic. Studios are trying to determine if they should move major releases to avoid debuting films in parts of the world where coronavirus is spreading. At the same time, they’re assessing what impact such moves will have on other movies that are scheduled to debut later in 2020 and 2021. Studio executives believe that the theater closures in China and Italy, as well as the spread of the disease in major markets such as South Korea could result in billions of dollars in lost ticket sales.

“Mulan,” a $200 million adventure film with a cast of Asian actors, was expected to resonate in markets such as China, where it may not play for weeks or months. Rival studios say they are watching to see how Disney handles the challenges of debuting the film at a time when theaters in some countries are closed and people are hesitant to spend time in public spaces, before determining what to do with their own upcoming releases. The Bond film, “Wonder Woman: 1984,” and the ninth “Fast & Furious” movie are among the major films debuting in the coming months that had planned robust international rollouts. Those could be impacted if the disease continues to spread. The latest 007 adventure had originally intended to take a promotional swing through China, South Korea, and Japan, but those plans have been abandoned.

So far, studios such as Warner Bros., Paramount, Universal, and Disney are also still expected to attend CinemaCon along with the stars of their upcoming movies. The annual exhibition industry trade show is being held in Las Vegas at the end of March and brings attendees from across the globe — though Chinese companies have cancelled on account of the travel ban. In a note to participants this week, Mitch Neuhauser, managing director of CinemaCon, and John Fithian, head of the National Association of Theatre Owners, the group behind the convention, said they still expected the event to be well-attended.

“An encouraging measure of the impact of coronavirus is that the number of concerned emails or phone calls coming to us are minimal,” they wrote. “We are, though, inundated with our normal number of emails and calls that are all about the planning of the convention.”

Justin Kroll contributed to this report.

THREADS
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covid-19 (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?71666-Coronavirus-(COVID-19)-Wuhan-Pneumonia)

[GeneChing]

James Bond: No Time To Die Delayed SEVEN Months Due To Coronavirus (https://screenrant.com/james-bond-no-time-die-release-date-delay-coronavirus/?utm_source=SR-FB-P&utm_medium=Social-Distribution&utm_campaign=SR-FB-P&fbclid=IwAR0yL-hyMRMdRc84jbEeUJBeHqGp1ZroUTlbfEM3Ow4v41dHHG2wDVqx bsQ)
No time to Die's release date has been pushed back seven months to November 2020 due to concerns about coronavirus.
BY CHRIS AGAR
MAR 04, 2020

https://static0.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Daniel-Craig-in-No-Time-to-Die.jpg?q=50&fit=crop&w=960&h=500&dpr=1.5

No Time to Die's release date has been delayed seven months due to coronavirus. The film had already been impacted by the outbreak of the disease, with its Chinese premiere and press tour cancelled due to concerns. However, No Time to Die remained on track for its theatrical rollout in April 2020, with MGM putting together a very visible marketing campaign to hype up Daniel Craig's final adventure as James Bond (including a rather expensive Super Bowl TV spot). Excitement was continuing to mount for the movie, which was projected to possibly break the all-time James Bond opening weekend record at the box office.

With No Time to Die right around the corner, coronavirus continues to be a serious concern around the world. DC Comics recently cancelled convention appearances, Mission: Impossible 7 paused production in Italy, and Hollywood studios are forming coronavirus strategy teams as they deal with the situation. And now, the team behind No Time to Die has made the decision to postpone the film's release globally for several months.

Today on the official James Bond Twitter account, it was announced the film has been pushed back from its original April 2020 date and will now debut on November 12, 2020 in the U.K. and November 25, 2020 in the U.S. Other worldwide release dates will be revealed later.


James Bond
✔
@007
MGM, Universal and Bond producers, Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, announced today that after careful consideration and thorough evaluation of the global theatrical marketplace, the release of NO TIME TO DIE will be postponed until November 2020.

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The tweet mentions the "global theatrical marketplace" as a deciding factor here. In the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, just about all of Chinese movie theaters have been closed, and it's possible locations in other countries eventually follow suit. China is the world's second-biggest film market (behind only the U.S.), so it's understandable why the No Time to Die team chose to delay the movie. Obviously, the studios and producers are hoping coronavirus is contained by November, allowing them to conduct business as usual around the globe. The Bond films have always been massive worldwide draws and have done sizable business during Craig's tenure. Spectre grossed $880.6 million back in 2015, and 2012's Skyfall crossed the $1 billion mark. MGM and Universal want No Time to Die in a position to be as successful as possible - particular since it has the highest production budget in Bond history. It'll be interesting to see if any other Hollywood studios shuffle their tentpoles around now that one domino has fallen.

With the move, No Time to Die is now in a more competitive window than before. Instead of being the biggest blockbuster in town (getting a three-week jump start on the summer movies), it'll now share the spotlight with titles like Eternals (November 6) and Godzilla vs. Kong (November 20), assuming those movies don't change release dates to avoid competition with 007. That being said, No Time to Die should still do very well in the fall; the Bond films have historically released in November (the last six came out in that month) and this one is a proper event to boot, being Craig's swan song. Even amidst the other genre picture, there'll be plenty of excitement for No Time to Die.

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[GeneChing]

MGM to Take $30 Million-Plus Hit After Moving Bond Film 'No Time to Die' (https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/mgm-take-30-million-hit-moving-bond-film-no-time-die-1282803)
3:54 PM PST 3/5/2020 by Tatiana Siegel

https://cdn1.thr.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/landscape_928x523/2020/01/b25_25594_r_rgb_copy.jpg
Nicola Dove
'No Time to Die'

The studio was facing a much costlier alternative given that worldwide theater closures could have resulted in a minimum of 30 percent shaved off the final box office tallies.
After weighing the pros and cons of keeping a scheduled April 10 bow for its main action tentpole amid the coronavirus outbreak, MGM opted for a cautious route by pushing the upcoming James Bond outing No Time to Die to November. But how much will the move, prompted by growing disruptions due to the epidemic, cost the studio that fully financed the film?

Sources tell The Hollywood Reporter that MGM will likely take a $30 million to $50 million hit by moving the film's release back by seven months when the dust settles. Although the bulk of the marketing campaign for the Cary Joji Fukunaga-directed pic — the 25th installment in the storied 007 franchise — had yet to roll out, the marketing outlay already was significant with just four weeks to go before the release, including a $4.5 million Super Bowl spot that ran in February. MGM declined comment.

Still, the alternative MGM was facing was far more costly, and even an eight-figure loss will be easier for a film like No Time to Die to withstand considering the broader profit margins on a Bond film. The production budget for the latest installment is on par with the $245 million budget for the last Bond film, 2015's Spectre. Sources say the studio’s decision to move No Time to Die to Nov. 12 in the U.K. and Nov. 25 in North America — which was made on Tuesday, one day before announcing the delayed release — was largely based on the economic reality that large swaths of theaters across the world have been shuttered in recent weeks, stretching from Japan to Italy. That could have resulted in a minimum of 30 percent shaved off the final box office tallies — a possible $300 million out of a likely $1 billion global haul.

The producers had already been bracing for the prospect of a release date move in recent days. "They obviously are doing the right thing by putting the public safety, world safety, first," No Time to Die producer Barbara Broccoli told THR on Feb. 26. Added producer Michael Wilson, "How will coronavirus affect the whole world markets and affect trade in general? We’re just one of the people that have to work in that environment."

In China alone, some 70,000 theaters have been closed since January, with no plans to reopen anytime soon. Spectre made $84 million in the Middle Kingdom, representing roughly 10 percent of its $881 million worldwide cume. Smaller Asian markets likewise are being impacted due to the virus, and there’s concern that the outbreak in Italy could spread across Europe. The U.K., where the fictitious Bond originated and which appears vulnerable to theater closures, represents a huge slice of No Time to Die's expected revenues (Spectre earned $125 million there).

No Time to Die, which marks the final outing of Daniel Craig as 007, had been set to launch with a world premiere in London on March 31. Some promotional events or brand tie-ins cannot be rescheduled or stalled. Craig, who is set to host NBC's Saturday Night Live this weekend, was in the middle of rehearsals when news broke of the film’s move. It would have been impossible for SNL to pivot to a new host on such short notice, and Craig will carry on as planned.

Likewise, Omega last month launched a 007 edition watch, which already has begun to hit stores. Given that the watch is not necessarily a No Time to Die timepiece but rather a Bond-inspired product, stores will continue to sell it and not hold back the luxury item until the fall. Swatch also went ahead with its Thursday release of a limited-edition watch tied to No Time to Die. Adam Holdsworth, managing director of N.Peal, the brand behind a navy ribbed army sweater worn by Craig's Bond in the film and available for preorder this week, said he had not been notified of the pic's release being pushed back to November ahead of the Wednesday announcement. "We fully understand and appreciate the reasons for the delay given the potential disruption of the virus in the coming weeks — so we fully support the decision," he said. The sweater will also be relaunched in the fall, tied to the release.

Meanwhile, MGM is scrambling to salvage ad buys it already had made for the coming four weeks and move them to the fall. So far, the studio’s partners have been accommodating. But other pricey purchases can’t be recouped, like the Super Bowl spot that ran in February. (The studio, however, doesn’t see that money as lost, given that it likely would have run the ad during television’s most-watched event of the year even if the film was originally dated for November.)

Still, a fall campaign will come with added expenses. Broadcast ads that run in the fourth quarter of the year are typically more expensive than the spring, given that the quarter coincides with the kickoff of the new TV season as well as football. The film will also be competing for ad space with other studios' awards-facing prestige titles and major holiday offerings, as Disney's Marvel film Eternals and Warner Bros.' tentpole Godzilla vs. Kong will also be released in November.

But opening a tentpole amid a global epidemic, which is expected to turn into a pandemic, became untenable for MGM. So far, no other studios have followed its move, though that could change as the number of cases across the U.S. and the world increase by the hour. On Wednesday, California declared a state of emergency over the coronavirus outbreak as it marked its first death. There are currently 98,059 cases of coronavirus worldwide and 3,356 deaths caused by it.

Pamela McClintock and Lindsay Weinberg contributed to this report.

THREADS
No Time to Die (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?71114-No-Time-to-Die)
covid-19 (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?71666-Coronavirus-(COVID-19)-Wuhan-Pneumonia)

[GeneChing]

Mulan (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?68640-Mulan-(2020)) is still on at this point. I'm scheduled to go to the screener soon.


Hollywood Coronavirus Cancellations: A List of Film, TV, and Entertainment Events Impacted By Pandemic (https://www.slashfilm.com/hollywood-coronavirus-cancellations/)
Posted on Thursday, March 12th, 2020 by Ethan Anderton

https://d13ezvd6yrslxm.cloudfront.net/wp/wp-content/images/hollywood-coronavirus-combo.jpg

The coronavirus strain known as COVID-19 isn’t going away anytime soon, and the spread of the infection has already been classified as a pandemic by the World Health Organization. This has resulted in the cancellation and postponing of many major film, TV and entertainment events around the world, as well as shutting down certain film and TV productions, or at the very least changing how they operate. Because the updates are coming so fast and fierce, we’ll be keeping an updated list as new coronavirus cancellations and interruptions are announced each day.

Coronavirus Cancellations (Constantly Updated)
We will update this list as required. The dates signify when the cancellation took place with information gathered from various sources, including and especially USA Today and IndieWire, who have been keeping track of the ongoing cancellations and delays.


March 12
Fast and Furious 9 (F9) Release Delayed to 2021 – Universal Pictures has decided to delay the global release of Fast and Furious 9 by an entire year. It is now slated to open in April 2, 2021 in North America, but specific international dates were not revealed at this time.

The Lovebirds Release Delayed – Variety reports Paramount Pictures has delayed the romantic comedy The Lovebirds starring Kumail Nanjiani and Issa Rae. Originally slated for release on April 3, the movie now has new release date.

A Quiet Place Part II Release Delayed – The worldwide release of A Quiet Place II was reported by Deadline. Originally intended for release overseas starting on March 18 and in the US on March 20, but the movie has yet to be given a new release date. Get more in our full story.

Scott C’s Great Showdowns Gallery Events Canceled – Scott C’s latest art show at Gallery 1988 is canceling all in-gallery events, as well as a planned global scavenger hunt for prints, but will still have scheduled print releases and livestreams.

Universal Television Delays Production on Shows – Deadline reports the second seasons of Netflix’s Russian Doll and AppleTV+’s Little America, as well as the first season of Rutherford Falls for Peacock, have all been delayed due to coronavirus concerns. Most of the shows require international travel, which is largely why the decision was made to delay production start.

Broadway Usher Tests Positive for Coronavirus – A part-time Broadway usher who worked at the productions of Who’s Afraid of Virgina Woolf? at the Booth Theatre between March 3 and March 7 and Six at the Brooks Atkinson on the evening of February 25 and the afternoon of March 1 has tested positive for coronavirus.

Both of the productions will continue, according to Deadline, and the two theater owners, Shubert Organization, owner of the Booth, and the Nederlander Organization, owner of the Brooks Atkinson, said the venues will have a deep cleaning performed. However, if any ticket holders wish to exchange for a future performance instead, they may do so.

continued next post

[GeneChing]

March 11
California Governor Urges Cancellation of Large Gatherings – The Los Angeles Times reported that California Governor Gavin Newsom and state health official are recommending and urging the cancellation of upcoming gatherings of 250 or more people across the entire state in an effort to slow the spread of coronavirus. This recommendation does not come with the force of law to stop these events, but that could change if the coronavirus situation continues to get worse.

Hollywood Agencies and Companies Starting to Work Remotely – Deadline reports Hollywood talent agencies like CAA, UTA, ICM Partners and Paradigm are making adjustments to have their employees work from home in order to help slow the spread of coronavirus.

Meanwhile, Viacom, who owns Paramount Pictures, MTV, Comedy Central and more, said they will start testing whether or not they can have their employees also working from home instead of going into offices at this time.

Cinema Con 2020 Canceled – Variety reported the cancellation of CinemaCon 2020, the annual trade show for theater owners from around the world where the latest developments and advances in exhibition, distribution, marketing, publicity, advertising, social media, theater equipment and concessions are showcased. The event was slated to take place from March 30 through April 2.

Here’s the official statement from John Fithian and Mitch Newhauser from the National Association of Theater Owners:

“It is with great regret we are announcing the cancellation of CinemaCon 2020. Each spring, motion picture exhibitors, distributors and industry partners from around the world meet in Las Vegas to share information and celebrate the moviegoing experience. This year, due to the travel ban from the European Union, the unique travel difficulties in many other areas of the world and other challenges presented by the Coronavirus pandemic, a significant portion of the worldwide motion picture community is not able to attend CinemaCon. While local outbreaks vary widely in severity, the global circumstances make it impossible for us to mount the show that our attendees have come to expect. After consultation with our attendees, trade show exhibitors, sponsors, and studio presenters, NATO has decided therefore to cancel CinemaCon 2020. We look forward to continuing the 10-year tradition of presenting the largest movie theater convention in the world and joining our attendees in future celebrations of the moviegoing experience.”

PaleyFest 2020 Postponed – The annual television showcase of some of the biggest and best television shows has been postponed with new dates for the festival yet to be announced. Shows like Modern Family, The Mandalorian, Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Boys, Star Trek: Picard, Schitt’s Creek, and more were slated to be featured at the festival, but they will have to wait for the event to be rescheduled. Here’s the full statement from the Paley Center for Media:

“As you are aware, the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to remain of the utmost public concern. For several weeks now, the Paley Center, along with our venue host, The Dolby Theatre, has monitored the situation closely, staying in daily contact with local, state, and federal partners, as well as following the recommendations issued by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and following the guidelines of the local health department. Based on the most recent news and out of an abundance of concern, we have made the difficult decision to postpone this year’s PaleyFest. While we were looking forward to presenting another stellar lineup of PaleyFest events, the safety of our event participants, guests, and staff is the highest priority. We are exploring options to reschedule the festival and all ticket purchases will be honored for the new dates.”

NBA Suspended 2019-20 Basketball Season – The NBA announced the suspension of the current season of basketball after Utah Jazz player Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19. The news came just before the Utah Jazz were set to play an away game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Gameplay will be suspended entirely until further notice and will determine when they can resume play as the coronavirus situation develops.

Talk Shows Avoid Having Studio Audiences – Deadline confirmed New York’s late night network talk shows The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Late Night with Seth Meyers, and The Daily Show with Trevor Noah will not have studio audiences for their tapings. In addition, cable talk shows Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, and Watch What Happens with Andy Cohen will follow suit.

Los Angeles talk shows have not announced any sweeping changes to their recording plans yet with live audiences, but The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The View and Live With Kelly And Ryan will not film with audiences either. Conan is currently on a two-week hiatus, but their filming plans could easily change in the future.

Riverdale Production Suspended – Production on The CW series was suspended after a person working on the show was recently in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. Warner Bros. TV told Deadline:

“We are working closely with the appropriate authorities and health agencies in Vancouver to identify and contact all individuals who may have come into direct contact with our team member,” the statement continued. “The health and safety of our employees, casts and crews is always our top priority. We have and will continue to take precautions to protect everyone who works on our productions around the world.”

Survivor Production Delayed – CBS has delayed the production of the next two seasons of Survivor. As of now the premiere dates for those seasons in September 2020 and February 2021 have not been delayed, but that could change if the production does not begin with enough time to spare. Read our full story on the matter over here

HBO’s Night of Too Many Stars Postponed – USA Today reported the event hosted by Jon Stewart and presented by HBO in partnership with NEXT for AUTISM has been pushed back. The show was slated to take place on April 18 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. No new date has been set yet.

Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards Postponed – Variety reported annual awards show from Nickelodeon where kids pick their favorite movies, TV shows, movie stars, musicians and more has been postponed until further notice. No new date has been set yet.

E3 (The Electronic Entertainment Expo) Canceled – Kotaku reported the tradeshow for video games slated to take place from June 9 through June 11 has been canceled. In place of the event, there will be “an online experience to showcase industry announcements and news in June 2020.”

GLAAD Awards Canceled – The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation announced the cancellation of their awards intended to take place on March 19. It’s not clear if thy will be rescheduled.

Adam Sandler Postpones March Comedy Tour Dates – In a post to Twitter, the comedian announced that March tour dates would be postponed until a later time. It is not clear when they will be rescheduled and more dates could be canceled.

March 10
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier Production Halted – The Marvel Studios series was slated to shoot an entire week in Prague, but they stopped before finishing due to spreading coronavirus concerns. It is not clear when and where production will finish the scenes meant to be shot there. Get more in our full story.

Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway Release Delayed – Deadline reported the global release of the children’s movie sequel has been pushed back to August 7 by Sony Pictures.

Game Shows Filming Without Audiences – Deadline reported Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune announced they would be taping episodes without live studio audiences, especially since much of the audiences of those shows consists of older viewers more susceptible to coronavirus.

March 6
SXSW Festival Canceled – The movie, TV, music and tech festival was canceled by the city of Austin one week before the event was slated to begin on March 13. Festival organizers may reschedule the festival, but the cancellation has created severe problems for them, and it might prevent the fest from returning in 2021.

March 4
No Time to Die Global Release Delayed – Sony Pictures made the decision to delay the global release of No Time to Die from April to November. The film will now open in the UK on November 12 and in the US on November 25. Read more in our full story over here.

February 24
Mission: Impossible 7 Production Halted in Italy – After the outbreak worsened significantly in Italy, USA Today reported Paramount Pictures chose to halt production on Mission: Impossible 7. It’s not clear when/if shooting will still take place there in the future.

THREADS
COVID-19 (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?71666-Coronavirus-(COVID-19)-Wuhan-Pneumonia)
No Time to Die (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?71114-No-Time-to-Die)
Mission Impossible (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?68128-Mission-Impossible)
F&F9 (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?70501-Fast-amp-Furious-9)

[@PLUGO]

Leaked set photos and video (https://www.reddit.com/r/marvelstudios/comments/fhgsid/shangchi_filming_set_video) from the Marvel Studios' film set in Sydney have surfaced online. Both originate from footage that aired on an Australian evening news report.


https://www.reddit.com/r/marvelstudios/comments/fhgsid/shangchi_filming_set_video

10823 10824

[GeneChing]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vw2FOYjCz38&feature=emb_logo

[GeneChing]

October 3, 2020 5:13pm PT
Cineworld Could Close All Regal Cinemas, U.K. Venues in Response to ‘No Time to Die’ Delay (https://variety.com/2020/film/global/cineworld-close-us-regal-uk-cinemas-no-time-to-die-james-bond-1234791728/)
By Manori Ravindran

https://pmcvariety.files.wordpress.com/2020/09/cineworld.jpg
Cineworld
UPDATED: Cineworld could shutter 543 of its Regal Cinema venues in the U.S. and all cinemas across the U.K. and Ireland this coming week, just a day after James Bond film “No Time to Die” was pushed to April 2021.

On Sunday afternoon U.K. time, Cineworld confirmed that it is “considering the temporary closure” of its U.K. and U.S. cinemas, but that a final decision hasn’t yet been reached.

Variety understands that staff were informed of Cineworld’s plans on Sunday — ahead of the company’s statement — with HR explaining that the closure of all cinemas is “one option that is strongly being considered,” though a decision hasn’t yet been made.

Variety understands from sources that the chain may close all sites in both countries as early as this week. Regal is the second largest domestic chain in the U.S., while Cineworld is the U.K.’s biggest cinema operator.

In the U.K., Cineworld is understood to be writing to Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden this weekend to explain that the exhibition sector is “unviable” due to studios delaying tentpoles as a result of anxious audiences steering clear of cinemas amid the global pandemic. The Cineworld closures will put up to 5,500 jobs at risk in the U.K.

Sources indicate a reopening date hasn’t yet been set, but cinemas could stay closed until 2021.

The swift move by the Mooky Greidinger-run chain, whose U.K. closures were first reported by The Sunday Times, follows Friday’s bombshell Bond announcement. Though there had been speculation that “No Time to Die” could move from its Nov. 12 and Nov. 20 slots in the U.K. and North America, respectively, many in the industry, including several global exhibition bosses, believed it would ultimately hold firm. Its new date of April 2, 2021, has come as a distressing shock to the exhibition sector, which is starved of vital blockbusters to bring audiences back to movie theaters.

Cineworld staff weren’t informed of the company’s decision in advance of Saturday’s news. Cineworld Action Group, a collective of employees supported by entertainment union Bectu, tweeted on Saturday that “there has been no consultation with staff whatsoever.” News of the closures first emerged via a preview of The Sunday Times’ front page, posted late on Saturday night.

Cineworld’s shock move comes weeks after the company said in its half-year results that there was no certainty around its COVID-19 outlook. In a forward-looking statement, the firm said, “If governments were to strengthen restrictions on social gathering, which may therefore oblige us to close our estate again or further push back movie releases, it would have a negative impact on our financial performance and likely require the need to raise additional liquidity.”

In the U.K., Cineworld opened its doors after a four-month shutdown only on July 31. The company had planned to open July 10, but pushed its dates back after “Tenet” was delayed the first time around. In the U.S., Regal Cinemas began opening venues in late August, ahead of the release of the Christopher Nolan thriller.

“No Time to Die,” starring Daniel Craig in his final stint as the agent formerly known as 007, will hit theaters on April 2, 2021 — a year later than initially planned.

“MGM, Universal and Bond producers, Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, today announced the release of ‘No Time To Die,’ the 25th film in the James Bond series, will be delayed until 2 April in order to be seen by a worldwide theatrical audience,” the filmmakers said in a statement on Friday. “We understand the delay will be disappointing to our fans but we now look forward to sharing ‘No Time To Die’ next year.”

Numerous movies were shuffled around in the wake of “Tenet’s” lackluster U.S. box office performance in September. Because the Bond franchise relies heavily on international ticket sales, the decision to move “No Time to Die” into next year is not entirely surprising: Coronavirus cases in Europe have started to rise again and New York and Los Angeles, the two biggest U.S. markets, remain closed.

The delay is major blow to theaters, and there’s a chance more could be forced to close given the lack of new content on the horizon. Pixar’s “Soul” on Nov. 20 is now the next big movie slated for theatrical release. However, there are rumblings that Disney will move the animated adventure and possibly even put it on Disney Plus, the studio’s subscription streaming service. Two Warner Bros. titles, “Wonder Woman 1984” and “Dune,” are still set for December, though there’s a chance those could be postponed again as well.

THREADS
No Time to Die (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?71114-No-Time-to-Die)
COVID-19 (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?71666-Coronavirus-(COVID-19)-Wuhan-Pneumonia)

[GeneChing]

ENTERTAINMENT MOVIES
DUNE, NO TIME TO DIE AND BLACK WIDOW ARE ALL DELAYED UNTIL 2021. HERE’S WHAT THAT MEANS FOR THE FUTURE OF MOVIES (https://time.com/5896565/dune-black-widow-movies-delayed-until-2021/)
Dune, No Time to Die and Black Widow Are All Delayed Until 2021. Here’s What That Means for the Future of Movies
https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/dune.jpg?w=710&quality=85
Timothée Chalamet in Warner Bros.' now delayed sci-fi epic 'Dune' Warner Bros.
BY ELIANA DOCKTERMAN
OCTOBER 6, 2020 12:35 PM EDT
Movie theaters are in trouble.

It’s been a lackluster year at cinemas, to say the least. Movie theaters have sat empty during spikes in the COVID-19 pandemic. Movie houses in the two biggest markets in the U.S., New York City and Los Angeles, remain closed as those cities fight to keep infection numbers under control. Over the summer, Hollywood looked to Christopher Nolan’s highly-anticipated Tenet as a savior of the moviegoing experience, but when the film finally premiered after numerous delays, it trickled out to little fanfare. (It has managed to bring in $300 million, mostly from overseas, though that box office total falls far short of the rest of Nolan’s films.) Still, theater owners have been pinning their hopes on a resurgence in moviegoing this fall.

But in the last two weeks, as case numbers have risen across the U.S. and it has become increasingly apparent that people simply do not feel safe going to the movies, studios have begun to push the last of their 2020 films to 2021, dashing those hopes. On Monday, Cineworld—which owns Regal Cinemas, the second largest theater chain in the U.S.—announced that all of its 663 cinemas in the U.S. and Britain would close temporarily, affecting around 40,000 employees. AMC, the largest theater chain in the States, will stay open, though the company’s stock fell 10% following its rival’s statement on Monday.

Mooky Greidinger, the CEO of Cineworld, said on Sky News, “It’s the wrong decision from the studios to move the movies to next year,” and exhibitioners have squarely laid the blame on the producers of the latest Bond film, No Time to Die. Back in March, the film’s producers were among the first to anticipate that the spread of the coronavirus would wreak havoc on theaters and delayed the release of the Daniel Craig movie from April until November. On Friday, No Time to Die abruptly shifted dates again to April 2, 2021. “This isn’t the right time,” Craig said in an interview with Jimmy Fallon on Monday. He even cast doubt on the ability of movie theaters to reopen in the spring. “Fingers crossed April 2 is going to be our date.” Cineworld employees say that No Time to Die’s date shift is what compelled the theater chain to close.

But studios can hardly be blamed for a logical business move—not to mention a wise public health decision. The few movies that have released in theaters across the world this summer, including Tenet, Mulan and X-Men: New Mutants, have not performed well. Health experts have warned for the last several months that sitting inside with strangers for prolonged periods of time—even at a distance—is unsafe, especially if ventilation is poor and those strangers are taking off their masks to eat popcorn and sip soda. “It’s just about the last thing I’d do right now,” one epidemiologist told The A.V. Club. For many would-be moviegoers, the risk is too high.

And so studios, unwilling to take huge financial hits on films that might succeed in theaters in the future, are bumping their slates. Bond moved. Disney delayed Black Widow from May 2020 until November 2020, and now has pushed the film’s premiere again until May 7, 2021. Dune, originally set for December 2020, will move to Oct. 1, 2021. There are still a few holiday movie holdouts, including Disney and Pixar’s Soul and Warner Bros.’ Wonder Woman 1984, but it’s likely those movies will move as well.

Regal, which like AMC has billions of dollars of debt, is left with little recourse. Smaller theaters face even grimmer prospects. Meanwhile, streamers like Netflix are offering thousands of hours of content to consumers at home, competition which terrifies an industry dependent on fans packing theaters. Here’s what all these delays mean for the future of your favorite franchises and the fate of the moviegoing experience.

Could any of the delayed movies still end up on streaming or VOD this year?

Studios, especially those with their own affiliated streaming services, could send some fare straight to streaming this year. WarnerMedia, for instance, owns both Warner Bros. and HBO Max. So it makes perfect sense that Warner Bros. has decided to release its Anne Hathaway movie The Witches, based on the Roald Dahl children’s book of the same name, straight to HBO Max rather than debut it in theaters. That movie, directed by Robert Zemeckis (Forrest Gump, Cast Away), is one of the larger offerings, along with Mulan, to pivot to streaming this year.

Similarly, Disney could send a movie like Pixar’s Soul, which is currently still slated for Nov. 20, 2020, to Disney+. Disney would likely charge viewers an extra fee on top of the Disney+ subscription for a period of time, as they did when Mulan debuted on the service.

Other studios that don’t have an obvious outlet for their films would have to cut a deal with a streaming service. MGM, which produces the Bond films, has no streaming service, and while they cut a deal with Universal for the international streaming rights for Bond, Universal’s only streaming outlet is the newly-launched Peacock, which hasn’t built up an adequate enough subscriber base to attract audiences to a big release like the latest 007 movie.

And regardless, don’t expect movies like No Time to Die or Wonder Woman 1984 to ever go straight to VOD. Studio executives believe those films are dependent on the immersive, cinematic experience and lose much of their power when watched for the first time at home, possibly even on a phone. What’s more, action movies cost hundreds of millions of dollars to produce, and it’s not clear whether studios can turn a large profit or even recoup their costs when they send these films straight to streaming.

There’s mixed evidence that big-budget movies can succeed financially on streaming. If Netflix’s self-reported numbers are to be believed, some of its splashy superhero movies, like The Old Guard starring Charlize Theron, are massive hits: Netflix reported that movie was watched by 72 million households in the first month of its release. Netflix depends on subscriptions, not streaming purchases, so it’s hard to say directly how much money Netflix made from The Old Guard. Disney offers a less optimistic data point: Mulan made $33.5 million in its opening weekend from Disney+ subscribers. That’s a lot of money for a streaming movie. But Mulan, which was also saddled with controversy, likely cost over $200 million to make, and scored a lackluster opening weekend overseas: It was one of Disney’s worst-performing remakes at the Chinese box office.

What does it all mean for 2021 at the movies?

Right now, 2021 is looking very crowded. Studios have shifted many of their most anticipated films from 2020 to 2021, including Black Widow, Dune, The Eternals, Fast & Furious 9, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, In the Heights, Morbius, No Time to Die, A Quiet Place Part II, Top Gun: Maverick, West Side Story and many more. There are only so many weekends per year, and it’s not like theaters will magically reopen their doors on Jan. 1. So in order to make room for all the 2020 movies, studios will be forced to either compete with one another for dwindling box office returns on the same weekend or bump some of their 2021 movies to 2022.

Those dominos have already begun to fall. Dune moved to the 2021 weekend that was already occupied by the Robert Pattinson starrer The Batman, and the latest caped crusader reboot shifted to March 4, 2022. The long-awaited Avatar sequel moved from December 2021 to December 2022 in order to make room for one of Disney’s other movies, the third Tom Holland Spider-Man flick. Halloween Ends has shifted from October 2021 to October 2022. Matrix 4 is a unique case, as its release was actually moved up from April 2022 to December 22, 2021. DC movie The Flash was pushed from June 3, 2022 to November 4, 2022, and Shazam 2 has moved from that November 2022 slot to June 2, 2023. The untitled Indiana Jones movie we were supposed to get next summer won’t debut until July 2022. And Black Adam and Minecraft have been taken off the schedule entirely.

Things may yet shift again if there is no widespread distribution of a vaccine by spring 2021. But studios are incentivized to hold out for the theatrical release of their movies. A few films have cut their losses and headed straight to VOD, like Trolls World Tour. That children’s movie made nearly $100 million in the first week of rentals, more than the previous Trolls film had made in that time in theaters. But franchises like Marvel and Fast & Furious expect to make billions, not millions, in theaters: Furious 7 grossed $1.5 billion globally, and Captain Marvel raked in $1.13 billion.

Many filmmakers, too, fervently believe in the theatrical experience and want to do their part to keep those communal gathering spots in business. When director John Krasinski announced that A Quiet Place II would shift its release date, he wrote on Instagram, “One of the things I’m most proud of is that people have said our movie is one you have to see all together….As insanely excited as we are for all of you to see this movie…I’m gonna wait to release the film til we CAN all see it together! So here’s to our group movie date!”

continued next post

[GeneChing]

What does this mean for Marvel, DC, and other superhero franchises?

https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/gal-gadot-wonder-woman-1984-scaled-2560.jpeg?w=800&quality=85Gal Gadot as Diana in Wonder Woman 1984 Clay Enos—Warner Bros. & DC Comics

The state of superhero movies is a little more complicated. The genius of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, up until this point, has been how all the movies are connected to one another. The post-credits scene from, say, a Captain America movie, will set up Black Panther: the Black Panther post-credits scene previews the next Avengers installment, and so on. In order to get the full story, you need to watch all 23 MCU movies.

Unfortunately, that means Disney doesn’t have much flexibility when it comes to releasing the superhero movies it currently has in the can. In all likelihood, the plot of Black Widow somehow ties in to future movies like Eternals or even Disney+ MCU TV series like Falcon and the Winter Soldier. If Disney were to release any of the movies or shows out of order, it would spoil the entire story. Delays for Black Widow and The Eternals mean that Doctor Strange: Multiverse of Madness, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and Spider-Man 3 will inevitably need to be pushed back as well. That delay also means we likely won’t get to see the X-Men or Fantastic Four characters—whom Marvel Studios acquired when Disney bought 20th Century Fox last year—in any MCU movie for a long time.

The other studios are a little less dependent on a strict schedule: Warner Bros. has established that Wonder Woman 1984 does not exist in the same universe as The Joker and is only tangentially related to the Harley Quinn movie that premiered earlier this year. Nor does she have anything to do with the Batman movie or the Suicide Squad reboot that are both currently filming. So Warner Bros. can release those movies whenever the studio feels they will be able to turn a profit.

What does this mean for movie theaters and the moviegoing experience?

Tenet was supposed to save the movies. It didn’t. No one movie ever could have. It’s made just $45 million domestically. This past weekend, Hocus Pocus, the Bette Midler Halloween film about witches that debuted 27 years ago, beat it at the box office.

It’s unclear when people will want to go to movie theaters again. Only 17% of Americans feel comfortable attending the movies, according to a mid-August Morning Consult poll. Some health experts have called the movie theater experience during COVID-19 “Russian roulette,” pointing out that theaters make most of their money from concession, but people necessarily have to take off their masks to eat popcorn and slurp their soda. As the weather gets colder and people spend more time indoors in general, experts say we’re likely to see another wave of the virus. If people aren’t willing to attend the movies now, it’s unlikely they’ll be eager to catch the latest flick in the dead of winter if we’re seeing a spike in COVID-19 cases.

That leaves cinemas in a precarious position, to say nothing of indies and arthouse theaters. Even once there is a vaccine, it’s unclear how long it will take theatergoers to venture out of their homes again: streaming services like Netflix threaten studios’ profits by offering alternative entertainment at home. Cinephiles fear that watching movies at home will become the norm.

What does this mean for streaming services?

One thing is certain: streaming is having a banner year. Disney+ and Apple TV+ both launched last fall, and HBO Max and Peacock joined the streaming arms’ race this year. As a result, audiences have more content than ever to choose from at home. This fall is no exception: Amazon Prime has scooped up several Oscar hopefuls, including Steve McQueen’s anthology of films titled Small Axe, Regina King’s directorial feature debut One Night in Miami. Apple TV+ will debut Sofia Coppola’s On the Rocks with Bill Murray and Rashida Jones as well as one of this year’s most raved-about animated films, Wolfwalkers. Disney+’s biggest releases will be television series, namely the second season of The Mandalorian and the MCU series WandaVision.

But all those new services are just playing catchup to Netflix. Netflix has had more time to build up a massive library, and had already filmed most of its 2020 content before the virus hit and thus had to delay few releases. In Q2 of 2020, Netflix generated $6.14 billion in revenue, up from $4.9 billion at the same time last year. And Netflix has begun to experiment with bigger-budget productions made just for the small screen. Recent hits like The Old Guard, Spenser Confidential and Enola Holmes have proven, at least according to Netflix’s own analysis, that mid- to big-budget movies can succeed on streaming. Netflix releases a buzzy new movie or show every week—if not more often. In the coming months, they’ll release the Adam Sandler comedy Hubie Halloween, Aaron Sorkin’s Oscar hopeful Trial of the Chicago 7 and David Fincher’s latest, Mank.

Streaming probably won’t supplant moviegoing. The movie date will always have a place in American culture. But the pandemic has, for now, accelerated the trend towards watching more content at home—and the timing of the movie date’s return is as uncertain as ever.

Threads
Dune (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?71861-Dune)
No Time to Die (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?71114-No-Time-to-Die)
Black Widow (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?70643-Black-Widow)
covid (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?71666-Coronavirus-(COVID-19)-Wuhan-Pneumonia)

[GeneChing]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTkJQh1_yQY

[GeneChing]

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[GeneChing]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AoaaHW0zH8

[GeneChing]

China’s ‘Battle at Lake Changjin’ beats James Bond at box office with $203 million (https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/chinas-battle-lake-changjin-beats-james-bond-box-office-203-million-rcna2589)
“No Time to Die,” the latest movie in the James Bond franchise, made $119 million at the global box office last weekend.
https://media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com/image/upload/t_fit-1240w,f_auto,q_auto:best/rockcms/2021-10/211005-Battle-at-Lake-Changjin-mb-1004-4de436.jpg
Moviegoers arrive to watch “The Battle At Lake Changjin" on Saturday, in Wuhan, China.Getty Images
Oct. 5, 2021, 2:30 AM PDT / Updated Oct. 5, 2021, 3:13 AM PDT
By Variety
China’s “The Battle at Lake Changjin” was the highest grossing film anywhere in the world over the past weekend, with a $203 million haul.

That score was fractionally lower than the combined total earned by “No Time to Die” ($119 million in international markets) and by “Venom: Let There Be Carnage” ($90.2 million in North America).

The film was the far away winner in mainland China, where it was released on Thursday, a day ahead of the October 1, National Day holiday. Over four days on release, it earned $234 million, according to consultancy Artisan Gateway.

Additional data from local provider Ent Group showed that “Battle” enjoyed a massive 157,000 screenings per day and was watched by 25.5 million ticket buyers between Friday and Sunday.

That put it ahead of “My Country, My Parents,” which earned $70.6 million over the weekend proper and a “Venom”-like $90.4 million total over four days.

Both titles are examples of the patriotic triumphalism that has come to typify the Chinese box office since it re-opened, post pandemic in July last year, and both capitalize on the sentiment stirred up around the annual celebrations of the country’s birth, some 72 years ago.

https://media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com/image/upload/t_fit-1120w,f_auto,q_auto:best/rockcms/2021-10/211005-Battle-at-Lake-Changjin-mb-1003-d6a04a.jpg
‘The Battle at Lake Changjin’ was the highest grossing film anywhere in the world over the past weekend, with a $203 million haul.Getty Images
“Changjin” earned $12.9 million of its total from Imax giant screens, making it the third biggest Imax opening weekend of all time behind sci-fi title “The Wandering Earth” and Chinese New Year comedy “Detective Chinatown 3.”

Made with a production budget reported to be over $200 million, the film boasts three of Greater China’s top directors: Chen Kaige, Tsui Hark and Dante Lam.

It is an epic war film praising the triumphs of Chinese soldiers fighting American-led United Nations forces in the early days of the Korean War (1950-1953). China portrays its involvement in the war as an act of self-defense and one of support for North Korean leader Kim Il-sung. In Chinese, it is called the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea.

The film was produced by Bona Film Group and stars Wu Jing, star and director of the blockbuster “Wolf Warrior” war films, and pop idol turned actor Jackson Yee. (Wu also stars in and is credited as one of four co-directors on “My Country, My Parents”.)

In a very distant third place, Chinese-made animation “Dear Tutu: Operation T-Rex” earned $3.5 million over three days.

Artisan Gateway shows the weekend aggregate to have been $295 million or some RMB1.9 billion.

That advances the year-to-date box office in China to $5.31 billion, a figure that is 27 percent below the same point in pre-pandemic 2019. Over the seven day National Holiday period in 2019, box office takings reached RMB4.5 billion.

threads
The-Battle-at-Lake-Changjin (https://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?72154-The-Battle-at-Lake-Changjin)
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[GeneChing]

Shaken, not stirred. READ NO TIME TO DIE A Long Farewell to Daniel Craig (https://www.kungfumagazine.com/ezine/article.php?article=1611) by Gene Ching

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[GeneChing]

The Chinese film beating Bond at the box office (https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/the-chinese-film-beating-bond-at-the-box-office/ar-AAPC5jE)
1 day ago

The biggest movie in the world right now is not the latest Bond film No Time To Die or even Marvel's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.

https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AAPC5jw.img?h=450&w=799&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f
© Getty Images The Battle at Lake Changjin made over $633m at the box office in just two weeks
It's a Chinese propaganda film about the 1950s Korean War, centred on a story of Chinese soldiers defeating American troops despite great odds.


In just two weeks since its release, The Battle at Lake Changjin has made over $633m (£463m) at the box office. This puts it far ahead of Shang-Chi's global earnings of $402m, and in just half the time.

It is set to become China's highest-grossing film ever.

Its success is good news for China's pandemic-affected film sector as Covid forced cinemas to shut and reopen multiple times.

It is even better news for the state, which experts say appears to have nailed a formula of making propaganda appeal to the masses.

But for Hollywood looking in from the outside, the immense popularity of a local film like this could mean even more challenges ahead as it struggles to gain ground in China - the biggest film market in the world.

'Patriotic duty to watch the film'
Commissioned by the Chinese government, The Battle At Lake Changjin is just one of several nationalist films which have become big commercial hits in China in recent years.

In 2017, Wolf Warrior 2, about a Chinese soldier saving hundreds of people from baddies in an African warzone, raked in a record 1.6bn yuan ($238m; £181m) in just one week.

Lake Changjin depicts a brutal battle in freezing weather which the Chinese claim was a turning point in the Korean War - formally known in China as the "War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea".

Thousands of young Chinese soldiers died at the titular lake to secure a crucial win against American forces.

"I'm so moved by the soldiers' sacrifice. The weather was so extreme, but they managed to win. I feel so proud," an audience member wrote on reviews site Douban.

It is no coincidence that the film's popularity comes amid rising tensions between Washington and Beijing.

"It is definitely related to the ongoing tensions with the US, and has been promoted that way - sometimes indirectly, but still very clearly," said Dr Stanley Rosen, a political science professor from the University of Southern California.

Another reason behind its success is the co-ordinated push between film studios and the authorities, which tightly control the number and types of films that can be distributed at any one time.

At the moment, Battle At Lake Changjin has little competition in theatres. Major Hollywood blockbusters No Time To Die and Dune will only open in China at the end of October, despite already showing elsewhere.

This film was also particularly well-timed - not only did it open during China's National Day holidays starting 1 October, it comes as the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) celebrates its 100th anniversary this year.

"It's almost a patriotic duty to go see this film," said Dr Rosen.

https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AAPC5jx.img?h=450&w=799&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f
© Getty Images "It's almost a patriotic duty to go see this film," a film expert said of The Battle at Lake Changjin
Such propaganda films are often mandatory viewing for CCP cadres, said Dr Florian Schneider, director of the Netherlands' Leiden Asia Centre.

"Work units frequently organise collective viewings, and with over 95 million card-holding members, that promises a significant box office boost," he told the BBC.

So far, online reviews of the film are overwhelmingly positive, though some observers pointed out that they may not be entirely true.

After all, criticism could land one in jail.

Last week, former journalist Luo Changping was detained for making "insulting comments" on social media about the Chinese soldiers portrayed in the movie.

Police in Sanya said that he was being held on the charge of "infringing the reputation and honour of national martyrs", and that the case was being investigated.

"Youngsters [in China] with strong nationalist feelings have a disproportionate voice online," Dr Jonathan Hassid, a political science expert at Iowa State University, told the BBC in an earlier interview.

"In part, this voice is amplified because legitimate criticism of the state is increasingly unacceptable."

Blockbuster propaganda
Still, fans of the film say that they enjoy its blockbuster elements that put it on par with other major mainstream flicks.

"With a reported $200 million budget, the production values and special effects are very good. The three directors are all good storytellers and well known in China," said Dr Rosen.

The film's directors Chen Kaige, Tsui Hark, and Dante Lam are all celebrated film-makers.

https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AAPC1bw.img?h=450&w=799&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f&x=494&y=153
© Getty Images Directors Dante Lam, Tsui Hark and Chen Kaige are all celebrated film-makers in China
Tsui is known for special effects and martial arts films, while Lam is famous for his action spectacles involving giant explosives. Chen is celebrated for sensitive portrayals of Chinese life.

"We all know this is meant to be a patriotic film but I really cried when I watched it. It felt very authentic," one person wrote on microblogging platform Weibo.

Big headache for Hollywood
But China's domestic film success is potentially adding to a list of problems that foreign players like Hollywood already face, in their attempt to win over the lucrative Chinese market.

China has a quota for foreign films, officially allowing only 34 to be shown each year.

There are some workarounds - if Hollywood co-produces a film with Chinese companies, it will not count towards the quota.

According to a report last year, Hollywood bosses have also been censoring films to placate the Chinese market, with casting, content, dialogue and plotlines increasingly being tailored to appease censors in Beijing.

https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AAPC5jA.img?h=450&w=799&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f&x=447&y=199
© Getty Images Hollywood and other foreign players want in on the lucrative Chinese film market - but it has not been easy
But even then, this is no guarantee of box office success, with even some co-productions bombing badly.

Fantasy-action movie The Great Wall (2016), directed by celebrated Chinese director Zhang Yimou and starring Matt Damon, was criticised both in the US and China for its "white saviour narrative".

Despite these challenges, experts told the BBC that foreign film-makers will not be giving up anytime soon.

Ultimately, China and Hollywood need each other, they say.

"China wants to remain the No. 1 film market after Covid, and it still needs Hollywood blockbusters - especially those that play on Imax screens or are in 3D since ticket prices are higher - to help it maintain that edge over the North American market," Dr Rosen said.

"As the production values of Chinese films continue to improve, Hollywood may become less relevant, but Hollywood tells universal stories that China can't or won't tell."

threads
The-Battle-at-Lake-Changjin (https://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?72154-The-Battle-at-Lake-Changjin)
No-Time-to-Die (https://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?71114-No-Time-to-Die)
Shang-Chi-and-the-Legend-of-the-Ten-Rings (https://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?71109-Shang-Chi-and-the-Legend-of-the-Ten-Rings)

[GeneChing]

No Time To Die beats F9 to become most successful Hollywood film of 2021 (https://www.avclub.com/no-time-to-die-beats-f9-to-become-most-successful-holly-1848097339)
Shang-Chi remains the year's top film in the domestic market, but the international box office will determine this year's overall winner
ByWilliam Hughes
Saturday 4:12PM
https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_965/a05829575f67fcbf46ea2ed398d4d1f8.jpgPhoto: MGM
2021 is going to go down as a very weird year for the Hollywood box office; despite the slow, vaccine-powered recovery of the theater industry, ticket sales for even the biggest movies are still clocking in at a mere fraction of what they would have been in 2019.

Case in point: The fact that the battle for the most successful Hollywood movie of the year—currently being duked out between F9 and long-delayed James Bond installment No Time To Die—is being waged in the $700 millions, rather than the post-billion position the industry has grown accustomed to. (Also weird: The fact that Marvel and Disney, which have dominated these conversations in pre-pandemic years, aren’t even in the race, with the studios’ top performer, Shang-Chi, sitting at a measly $431 million worldwide.)

This week saw an upset in that competition, as Deadline reports that Bond is set to pull ahead of Dom and the Family at last, becoming the most lucrative studio movie of the year to date. (It’s possible No Time To Die might get unseated by West Side Story or No Way Home before year’s end—it rarely pays to bet against either Steven Spielberg or Spider-Man—but those December releases will have a limited window to try to topple Cary Joji Fukunaga’s film.)

In addition to their love of doing very silly spy things with cars, both of these franchises have one major similarity: They do extremely well outside of the domestic box office. If we were only looking at the U.S., the two movies would rank 4th (F9) and 6th (No Time To Die), trailing far behind Shang-Chi.

But No Time To Die spread out its international appeal, pulling in (per Box Office Mojo) $124 million in Bond’s native UK, $69 million in Germany, and $57.9 million in China. F9, unsurprisingly, went all in on the Chinese audience; the film made $203.8 million in the country, beating its U.S. and U.K. box office performance combined.

Which is also probably the point where we should note that neither of these films is going to come even remotely close to being the actual top performer on the planet in 2021; that honor is almost certainly going to go to Chinese nationalistic blockbuster The Battle At Lake Changjin, which has brought in $882 million since opening in the first week of October. Battle’s numbers have slowed significantly in recent weeks, but it’s still the only movie worldwide that might break the billion-dollar mark this year—despite, or maybe because of, accusations that its action sequences of Chinese soldiers fighting Americans during a battle during the Korean War amount to little more than explosive political propaganda.

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The-Battle-at-Lake-Changjin (https://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?72154-The-Battle-at-Lake-Changjin)