ClassicBond.Com
Celebrating Classic James Bond 007 in all its forms.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Monday, October 15, 2012
The Business of Bonds (James Bond) | Millionaire Corner
The Business of Bonds (James Bond) | Millionaire Corner
“Bond, James Bond.”
Ian Fleming’s master spy hardly needs an introduction. Fifty years after the debut of the first Bond film, Dr. No, he still has his mojo. The buzz on Skyfall, the 23th film in the lucrative franchise and the third starring Daniel Craig, who may be reaching the pantheon of MPB (Most Popular Bond), is sky-high.
The only thing Hollywood treasures more than a good sequel is a good franchise, even those with diminished artistic and financial returns (we’re looking at you, Friday the 13th movies). In an industry focused on opening weekend box office, a sequel helps to minimize risk. A sequel with familiar characters comes to audiences practically pre-sold.
You can debate the best bond (Connery), the best film (Goldfinger), or the best Bond woman (Honor “Pussy Galore” Blackman). There's no controversy over the best Bond car. A new Facebook survey from Total Car Score released Monday finds the Aston Martin DB5 from Goldfingerthe overwhelming choice.
But there’s no argument that James Bond is box office gold. Bond films have taken in $5.09 billion worldwide. The stakes have certainly risen. Dr. No had a $1 million budget. Skyfall’s is a reported $230 million.
Bond has a license to thrill on the collectables market as well. A Christie’s auction of Bond memorabilia on Friday brought in $2.6 million. Craig’s La Perla bathing suit from Casino Royale fetched $71,876. A poker table from the same film sold for more than $136,000, while the Aston Martin DBS from Quantum of Solace sold for $390,101. A collection of Hotel Fountainblue props from Goldfinger scored 8,750 pounds.
But the James Bond movie franchise is not the oldest. The man with the license to kill was preceded eight years earlier by a monster with a license to stomp: Godzilla. There have been 28 Godzilla films produced by Toho Studios in Japan. Another is due in 2014.
Nor is Bond the most lucrative movie franchise. That honor is held by boy wizard Harry Potter. The eight Potter films have conjured up 7.7 billion worldwide. Rounding out the top ten movie franchises of all time after Bond are:
3. Star Wars ($5.09 billion)
4. Pirates of the ($4.49 billion)
5, Shrek (3.72 billion)
6. Lord of the Rings ($2.93 billion)
7. Transformers ($2.66 billion)
8. Batman ($2.65 billion)
9, Twilight ($2.505 billion)
The Business of Bonds (James Bond)
Where does Bond rank on the list of most popular movie franchises?
“Bond, James Bond.”Ian Fleming’s master spy hardly needs an introduction. Fifty years after the debut of the first Bond film, Dr. No, he still has his mojo. The buzz on Skyfall, the 23th film in the lucrative franchise and the third starring Daniel Craig, who may be reaching the pantheon of MPB (Most Popular Bond), is sky-high.
The only thing Hollywood treasures more than a good sequel is a good franchise, even those with diminished artistic and financial returns (we’re looking at you, Friday the 13th movies). In an industry focused on opening weekend box office, a sequel helps to minimize risk. A sequel with familiar characters comes to audiences practically pre-sold.
You can debate the best bond (Connery), the best film (Goldfinger), or the best Bond woman (Honor “Pussy Galore” Blackman). There's no controversy over the best Bond car. A new Facebook survey from Total Car Score released Monday finds the Aston Martin DB5 from Goldfingerthe overwhelming choice.
But there’s no argument that James Bond is box office gold. Bond films have taken in $5.09 billion worldwide. The stakes have certainly risen. Dr. No had a $1 million budget. Skyfall’s is a reported $230 million.
Bond has a license to thrill on the collectables market as well. A Christie’s auction of Bond memorabilia on Friday brought in $2.6 million. Craig’s La Perla bathing suit from Casino Royale fetched $71,876. A poker table from the same film sold for more than $136,000, while the Aston Martin DBS from Quantum of Solace sold for $390,101. A collection of Hotel Fountainblue props from Goldfinger scored 8,750 pounds.
But the James Bond movie franchise is not the oldest. The man with the license to kill was preceded eight years earlier by a monster with a license to stomp: Godzilla. There have been 28 Godzilla films produced by Toho Studios in Japan. Another is due in 2014.
Nor is Bond the most lucrative movie franchise. That honor is held by boy wizard Harry Potter. The eight Potter films have conjured up 7.7 billion worldwide. Rounding out the top ten movie franchises of all time after Bond are:
3. Star Wars ($5.09 billion)
4. Pirates of the ($4.49 billion)
5, Shrek (3.72 billion)
6. Lord of the Rings ($2.93 billion)
7. Transformers ($2.66 billion)
8. Batman ($2.65 billion)
9, Twilight ($2.505 billion)
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Friday, August 10, 2012
George Lazenby | George Lazenby: 'Bond Producers Treated Me Badly' | Contactmusic
George Lazenby | George Lazenby: 'Bond Producers Treated Me Badly' | Contactmusic
Actor George Lazenby has accused Bond producers of wrecking his career when he quit the superspy franchise after just one film, insisting movie bosses made up tales about his demanding behaviour.
The Australian star played 007 in On Her Majesty's Secret Service but decided not to sign on for another Bond adventure because he felt sure the film series was over.
He tells Entertainment Weekly magazine, "They offered me millions under the table to do another one, but I thought James Bond was over. Easy Rider was the number one movie. Everyone was smoking marijuana, and that was the furthest thing from a James Bond movie. So I didn't sign the contract.
"I was badly treated after that. They (producers) told the press that I was difficult to handle, so it was hard to find work."
And Lazenby insists his portrayal of 007 in 1969 was the most believable, adding, "It's the only film that treats him like a human being. He's not a robot killer like the latest Bond... When I did it, it had more heart. There's no heart to the new Bond."
Actor George Lazenby has accused Bond producers of wrecking his career when he quit the superspy franchise after just one film, insisting movie bosses made up tales about his demanding behaviour.
The Australian star played 007 in On Her Majesty's Secret Service but decided not to sign on for another Bond adventure because he felt sure the film series was over.
He tells Entertainment Weekly magazine, "They offered me millions under the table to do another one, but I thought James Bond was over. Easy Rider was the number one movie. Everyone was smoking marijuana, and that was the furthest thing from a James Bond movie. So I didn't sign the contract.
"I was badly treated after that. They (producers) told the press that I was difficult to handle, so it was hard to find work."
And Lazenby insists his portrayal of 007 in 1969 was the most believable, adding, "It's the only film that treats him like a human being. He's not a robot killer like the latest Bond... When I did it, it had more heart. There's no heart to the new Bond."
Thursday, July 26, 2012
MGM sets plans for IPO - Entertainment News, Film News, Media - Variety
MGM sets plans for IPO - Entertainment News, Film News, Media - Variety
MGM, the fabled studio that's made some folks piles of money and cost others their shirts, is heading back to the stock market -- news that left potential investors seeking clarity on MGM strategy beyond several big films and a TV library that may be mostly spoken for.
"If they really want to get back into the ranks of the major studios, they're going to need a huge infusion of capital and a rather ambitious production and distribution plan," said Larry Ulman, a partner at Gibson Dunn who specializes in entertainment finance. Gibson Dunn worked on MGM's last IPO, which raised more than $300 million in 1997. IPO proceeds, he said, could help MGM ramp up its slate, churning out the quality and perhaps quantity of pics that could put the Lion back on top. "If you were just going to continue to release a 'Bond' film and maybe a 'Hobbit,' it wouldn't make sense to go through all of that," he said.
There are likely to be more questions than answers for a while as MGM is the first entertainment company to pursue an IPO under new legislation effective in April that allows companies with under $1 billion in revenue to keep the process confidential until 21 days before a roadshow. Part of the JOBS Act (Jumpstart Our Business Startups), the legislation reduces public scrutiny and keeps key operating stats out of the hands of competitors for much of the IPO process.
The company is said to have hired Goldman Sachs as lead underwriter.
MGM, the fabled studio that's made some folks piles of money and cost others their shirts, is heading back to the stock market -- news that left potential investors seeking clarity on MGM strategy beyond several big films and a TV library that may be mostly spoken for.
"If they really want to get back into the ranks of the major studios, they're going to need a huge infusion of capital and a rather ambitious production and distribution plan," said Larry Ulman, a partner at Gibson Dunn who specializes in entertainment finance. Gibson Dunn worked on MGM's last IPO, which raised more than $300 million in 1997. IPO proceeds, he said, could help MGM ramp up its slate, churning out the quality and perhaps quantity of pics that could put the Lion back on top. "If you were just going to continue to release a 'Bond' film and maybe a 'Hobbit,' it wouldn't make sense to go through all of that," he said.
There are likely to be more questions than answers for a while as MGM is the first entertainment company to pursue an IPO under new legislation effective in April that allows companies with under $1 billion in revenue to keep the process confidential until 21 days before a roadshow. Part of the JOBS Act (Jumpstart Our Business Startups), the legislation reduces public scrutiny and keeps key operating stats out of the hands of competitors for much of the IPO process.
The company is said to have hired Goldman Sachs as lead underwriter.
Monday, June 18, 2012
For Your Ears Only - David Tennant is James Bond | Radio Times
For Your Ears Only - David Tennant is James Bond | Radio Times'
Former Doctor Who star David Tennant is tackling another British cultural icon as he lends his voice to a new version of James Bond adventure On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.
Tennant is one of a dozen actors reading Ian Fleming’s Bond novels for 007 Reloaded, a series of audio books set for relase in September.
Former Doctor Who star David Tennant is tackling another British cultural icon as he lends his voice to a new version of James Bond adventure On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.
Tennant is one of a dozen actors reading Ian Fleming’s Bond novels for 007 Reloaded, a series of audio books set for relase in September.
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