The 23rd James Bond film will have a 'shocking story' according to writer Peter Morgan, but work is on hold until February due to MGM sale...

Bond 23 - A Shocking Story

20th December 2009

Screenwriter Peter Morgan has tantalisingly teased 007 fans just before the Christmas holidays with the first glimpse in to the creative process behind the 23rd James Bond film.

Morgan, who was drafted in to compliment regular James Bond scribes Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, has moved from London to Vienna, Austria.

Renowned for his scripting of the award-winning films "The Queen" and "Frost/Nixon", Morgan moved to the city in the summer along with his wife and four children, telling the local press that the lack of direct flights to Los Angeles makes it a 15 hour trip back to Hollywood.

From July until October this year, Morgan was writing the first draft of Bond 23 - the third outing for Daniel Craig as 007. "It's a shocking story", he said after admitting he couldn't give anything more away.

 

Peter Morgan
Above: Writer Peter Morgan pictured in his new home, the city of Vienna.

Being on the 007 team is a new experience for Morgan. "Bond creates a hysteria around it, one that I haven't previous known", he said. "It's a magnet for publicity - everyone wants to know what's going on with the new Bond".

Pre-production work on Bond 23 has now been put on hold until February as the heavily in debt MGM, through which EON Productions release the 007 pictures, is up for sale.

Daniel Craig

 

A new owner will likely green light Bond 23 immediately to recoup some of its investment with a sure-fire box office smash. Time Warner Inc and Lions Gate Entertainment are two of the heavy hitters said to be eyeing a bid for the famed studio and its back-catalogue of 4,000 films.

Daniel Craig has stated a number of times that principal photography is expected to start at the end of 2010, with Judi Dench also confirming her involvement is planned for early 2011.

This timetable is similar to the past few Bond movies, so fans should expect a November 2011 release date. Perhaps 11/11/11?

Bond 23 is being written by regular Bond duo Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, and "The Queen" and "Frost/Nixon" scribe Peter Morgan. Daniel Craig will play 007 for the third time, with Dame Judi Dench returning as MI6 chief 'M'. David Arnold will compose the score for his sixth 007 movie. Producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson have yet to confirm a director.

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