Earlier this year MGM Studios was in the toilet. The same MGM studios that was set to produce The Hobbit and the next Bond film – so naturally, there has been a lot of questions and concern about when these anticipate projects would get going again finally.
Well, it looks like there is a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. The sale of MGM to Spyglass Entertainment seems to be moving forward at a steady pace, which means MGM can get back on it’s feet and start moving forward – so much so that potential start dates for these flagship films are being thrown around.
The Hobbit
We recently heard that MGM is fighting to have Martin Freeman play the lead role in the film by offering him a shooting schedule that would work around his other commitments. This idea, of course, makes no sense if MGM doesn’t have a planned production date yet, but it now appears that they may. The Bolton News caught up with Sir Ian McKellen about the film and not only did he confirm that he will be returning as Gandalf (there was some question after comments he made earlier this year), but has said that the aim is now to begin production this January.
Bond 23
. . . director Sam Mendes, who has been attached to Bond 23 since January, has taken himself out of the running for The Hunger Games due to his commitments to MGM. In the article, it’s stated that the next Bond film could get started as early as next summer.
Looks like good news all around, so hopefully these films will start moving forward at a more steady pace as soon as this stuff with MGM and Spyglass is finalized!
[Source: CinemaBlend]