What the what? 'Bond 23' put on hold

James Bond won't be coming to a theater near you anytime soon, and that really sucks. Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli announced Monday that plans for "Bond 23" are on hold... indefinitely. Well, MGM is broke, and now we have to suffer, but that's how it works. No one knows when 007 will return.

Variety quoted Wilson and Broccoli from a statement: "Due to the continuing uncertainty surrounding the future of MGM and the failure to close a sale of the studio, we have suspended development on 'Bond 23' indefinitely." So at this stage, the future of 007 is indeed up in the air. Sad.

Sweet! Sam Mendes will direct next Bond film!

Despite rumors of Bond 23 being put on hold, the project is moving forward... with a director!

Oscar winner Sam Mendes will take on the next James Bond film, as the director is now in talks to helm the next installment in the popular spy series. That's good news, because Mendes is one of my favorite directors.

The decision to move ahead with the project comes as a surprise to me, especially considering MGM planned to put the project on hold until the company's financial struggles would be resolved. The plans have changed, however, and Bond 23 could be released 2011.

In fact, the Hollywood Reporter says production on the flick could kick off as early as June. Daniel Craig will return to reprise his role as James Bond, and Neal Purvis, Robert Wade and the great Peter Morgan are working on the script right now.

I love Mendes' stuff, and I can't say I've seen a film of his I didn't fully enjoy. His most recent efforts include "Away We Go" and "Revolutionary Road." "Road to Perdition" is still my favorite, and I'm sure he will bring even more freshness to the Bond franchise.

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Could Michael Sheen play Blofeld in 'Bond 23'?

This is just a rumor at this point, but according to The Guardian, Michael Sheen is apparently in early talks to play Ernst Stavro Blofeld in the upcoming James Bond feature.

Considering the project is only at the earliest developmental stages, and we just learned Peter Morgan would team up with scribes Neal Purvis and Robert Wade to write the script for "Bond 23," I find it hard to believe they are already looking for actors to fill unconfirmed roles.

But who knows... Blofeld could indeed return to the big screen. The villain already appeared in six official Bond flicks, including "Form Russia With Love," "Thunderball," "You Only Live Twice," "On Her Majesty's Secret Service," "Diamonds are Forever" and "For Your Eyes Only."

Indeed, there is also a connection between Morgan and Sheen. After all, Morgan wrote "The Queen" and "Frost/Nixon," two films Sheen starred in.

Anyway, it's certainly an interesting idea. We'll find out soon enough whether this is true or just another silly rumor. Stay tuned.

Daily news dose: Christine Jeffs to helm 'Tonight;' Bond 23 gets screenwriters

Here's your dose of film news for June 15, 2009:

• Christine Jeffs, who most recently directed "Sunshine Cleaning," is set to helm Castle Rock's upcoming "Wonderful Tonight." J. Mills Goodloe wrote the script, which centers on a bachelor and a woman whose lives change when she gets pegnant after a one-night stand. (Variety)

• Peter Morgan (pictured), whose credits include "The Queen" and "Frost/Nixon," will join regular Bond screenwriters Neal Purvis and Robert Wade for the script of Bond 23. Purvis and Wade also worked on the scripts for "Casino Royale" and "Quantum of Solace." No word yet on when the latest Bond will hit theaters, but my guess is November 2011. (The Hollywood Reporter)

• Skyler Samuels is the latest to join Brendan Fraser in Roger Kumble's upcoming family film "Furry Vengeance," a comedy about a developer who's forced to battle local wildlife while building a new housing subdivision in the Oregon wilderness. Samuels previously appeared on "Wizards of Waverly Place." (THR)

• RIA Novosti recently talked to Timur Bekmabetov, and the director told the news Web site that work on "Wanted 2" will begin shortly, with prep kicking off this summer and shooting tentatively set for this fall or winter. Oh, and apparently, Angelina Jolie's character will return for the sequel as well. Huh? (via ComingSoon)