Sam Mendes update - hired as Bond 23 consultant for now to avoid MGM payment trigger

06-Jan-2010 • Skyfall

According to the trade insider blog Deadline Hollywood, producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson are in final negotiations with agency CAA for director Sam Mendes to come onboard as a consultant to the 23rd James Bond film.

The site, which now has more readers than trade papers Variety and the Hollywood Reporter combined thanks to its reputation for accuracy and exclusives, hears that "Daniel Craig is 'insisting' on Mendes' hiring because the actor was stung by criticism of the last Bond film [Quantum of Solace]."

Deadline's sources go on to say: Once EON hires a director on their Bond films, it triggers a first payment from MGM. Well, given that MGM is teetering on the brink of bankruptcy, and EON may have the right to take Bond elsewhere, it stands to reason that the producers wouldn't want to do anything right away that further complicates ownership of Bond #23. 'The producers are working on a deal to bring Sam on as consultant with an eye to direct,' said one of the insiders. 'Once they put him on as the director, something happens to the contract in terms of ownership. But let me emphasize there's not any deal done.' Said one insider about the choice of Mendes: 'Barbara thinks he's smart, which he is. But you don't need such a fancy director. You need someone who can do an action movie.'

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