James Bond

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/38250040

We all know the good movies, but I wanna hear what are your least favorite Bond movies. Mine are Quantum of Solace and Live and Let Die.

cross-posted from: https://sh.itjust.works/post/44634873

artist's bluesky source

Denis Villeneuve will direct the next James Bond film, Amazon MGM Studios has revealed, with Tanya Lapointe signing on as an executive producer. As previously announced, Amy Pascal and David Heyman will serve as producers.

“Some of my earliest movie-going memories are connected to 007. I grew up watching James Bond films with my father, ever since ‘Dr. No’ with Sean Connery. I’m a die-hard Bond fan. To me, he’s sacred territory,” Villeneuve said. “I intend to honor the tradition and open the path for many new missions to come. This is a massive responsibility, but also, incredibly exciting for me and a huge honor. Amy, David, and I are absolutely thrilled to bring him back to the screen. Thank you to Amazon MGM Studios for their trust.”

Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, added, “We are honored that Denis has agreed to direct James Bond’s next chapter. He is a cinematic master, whose filmography speaks for itself. From ‘Blade Runner 2049’ to ‘Arrival’ to the ‘Dune’ films, he has delivered compelling worlds, dynamic visuals, complex characters, and—most importantly—the immersive storytelling that global audiences yearn to experience in theaters. James Bond is in the hands of one of today’s greatest filmmakers and we cannot wait to get started on 007’s next adventure.”

Painter and illustrator Robert E. McGinnis, who created sexy posters for the James Bond franchise as well as numerous other films, magazine illustrations and book covers, died March 10 in Old Greenwich, Conn. He was 99.

McGinnis, whose death was posted on Legacy.com, was known for his swinging sixties pin-up girl-style images of bikini-clad women consorting with manly men. Models including Shere Hite, author of “The Hite Report,” modeled for the idealized figure that became known as “The McGinnis Woman.”

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The posters McGinnis designed for James Bond movies included “Thunderball,” “You Only Live Twice,” “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service,” “Casino Royale,” “Diamonds Are Forever” and “Live and Let Die” helped cement the franchise’s reputation for featuring beautiful women consorting with the urbane spy against action-packed backgrounds.

cross-posted from: https://feddit.uk/post/26464542

Sean Connery is often cited as the best actor to ever step into the shoes of James Bond. However, his films have never been released on 4K Blu-ray--only Daniel Craig's turn as Bond has received the 4K treatment. That's about to change, as the 007: James Bond Sean Connery 6-Film Collection (4K Blu-ray) is officially up for preorder ahead of its June 3 release date. If you're looking for a premium way to store and display the collection, a Limited Edition Steelbook Box Set is also launching the same day.

Amazon hasn't added images of the box sets to its store pages yet, but we will update this article as soon as promotional images and more details are available.

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The steelbook collection includes six steelbooks--one for each film--plus a massive "steelbook library case" to keep them organized on your shelf. Details are scarce, but we do know you'll get 4K and digital versions of all six films. Expect to learn more about bonus features soon. Since this is the first time the films are making the jump to 4K, we expect there to be high demand for the product. Be sure to preorder if you want to be among the first to have it in their home.

Here's a look at the six films included in the collection:

• Dr. No
• From Russia With Love
• Goldfinger
• Thunderball
• You Only Live Twice
• Diamonds are Forever

It was a bombshell development that caught much of Hollywood — including, clearly, Oscar’s musical producers — by surprise. What could have compelled them to do it? After so many years of fiercely protecting their father’s business — EON Productions, the company that’s been in charge of 007 since the character first swaggered onto the screen in 1962 — why would they decide to unload it? And to Amazon, no less, the sprawling global syndicate run by the bald-headed, rocket-building billionaire Ernst Stavro Bezos? It makes even less sense than the plot of No Time to Die.

More pointedly, what does the sale mean for Bond’s future? Amazon, of course, had purchased MGM, Bond’s longtime home, in 2022 for $8.5 billion, mostly to get its hands on 007 IP and build it into a Marvel-style universe filled with bingeable TV spinoffs. The only things stopping them were Broccoli and Wilson, who had very different ideas for their father’s legacy, as well as a decades-long deal with MGM guaranteeing them creative dominion over all things Bond. But now that they’re out of the picture, Amazon can do whatever it wants. A TV show about Moneypenny? Why not. A prequel about Blofeld’s teenage years? Sure. More 007 game shows? Please no. But anything is possible. Amazon is now free to milk the franchise dry.

“Don’t let anybody else screw it up,” Cubby Broccoli warned his children before he died. “You can screw it up if you want to, but don’t let other people screw it up.”

"Stop getting Bond wrong!"

A few weeks ago, a source inside of Amazon/MGM was telling Jeff Sneider that rumored Bond producer David Heyman was potentially eyeing Alfonso Cuarón to direct the next 007 instalment.

Matt Belloni is now saying on The Town podcast that he’s also heard Cuarón could direct Bond 26, adding that the filmmaker has met with Amazon and has a new “take” for how the next one would look like.

Amazon wants to move quickly and have a team ready once the $1 billion rights deal is closed with Barbara Broccoli. Yesterday, I reported that writers have already been hired for Bond 26; it makes sense that a director is now being eyed as well.

What this Cuarón rumor seems to imply is that Amazon/MGM are not willing to wait another 18 months for Christopher Nolan to complete and release “The Odyssey.” Hey, the studio spent over $1 billion to toss Broccoli aside, it’s no wonder they want to get this next Bond off the ground ASAP.