Movement so far on the next Bond installment — “Bond 23” as its colloquially known right now — has been relatively slow.
Sam Mendes (“Revolutionary Road”) became attached to direct the film in January of this year, but the script and the timeline surrounding production has been delayed; MGM has been dealing with money issues and a planned fall 2010 shoot still seems up in the air. Mendes is also obviously not the first choice to direct the film either, at least not from the fan perspective and there’s been quite a bit of griping.
Meanwhile, maybe the project is finally getting on track? Yahoo UK reports via the Daily Mirror that “Slumdog Millionaire” star Freida Pinto has signed on to be the love interest/new Bond Girl to play opposite Daniel Craig. However, even before this rumor can get legs, Pinto’s spokesperson told AceShowbiz, “I would like to confirm that as of today, Freida Pinto has not been approached to be part of the next ‘Bond’ film.”
That doesn’t mean she won’t eventually be approached, but that’s your denial for at least today. And apparently Olivia Wilde (“Year One”) is in negotiations to play another lead female role (there can’t just be one babe) and the film — as rumored — will apparently be set in Afghanistan. Pinto’s role was allegedly a love interest and Wilde’s was one that evidently is a “double-crossing UN worker.” But just remember, most of this is info comes from a tabloid report so take it with a grain of salt.
Update: Olivia Wilde jumped on Twitter today to deny this rumor. “I have no plans to do Bond, but the internet may be confused as I am doing Cowboys & Aliens with Daniel Craig. fun!” So maybe “Bond 23” is where it was back in January: which is having hired a director, but not really propelling forward as it were.
Peter Morgan (“The Queen,” “Frost/Nixon”) wrote the script and according to this report Mendes wants to “reinvent” the Bond series (we’re not sure the conservative Broccoli producers behind the Bond film have ever wanted to truly “reinvent” the series other than copying the ‘Bourne’ style, so take that as you will).
Daniel Craig is only locked in for Jon Favreau’s “Cowboys & Aliens” this summer, so ostensibly, “Bond 23” does have time to shoot this fall if the script comes together (and ironically, Olivia Wilde is also starring in “Cowboys & Aliens”). Considering how little we’ve heard so far, it feels doubtful, but anything’s possible and if this news turns out to be legitimate, perhaps Bond is quietly moving forward.
