The after effects of the Sony e-mail hacks are still rippling out across the Internet. We’ve already been clued in to the complex specifics surrounding a potential Marvel-Sony deal, but this latest batch of exchanges hones in on a film that’s already in production. The title of next Bond movie – Spectre – was announced last week in a celebratory manner, during which Sony unveiled its official cast and brief synopsis. What we know now, however, thanks to CNN, is that a month ago, the fate of certain key elements in the sequel were up in the air.
In a series of e-mails between MGM (in cahoots with Sony to distribute the pic) president Jonathan Glickman and Sony, the escalating budget of Spectre became a concern in early November with the price tag “in the mid $300Ms.” Yikes.
“We recognize that this movie needs to build on the past few films – and there are expectations we must meet for the audience. Still, we must find further cuts,” said Glickman. “This is not about ‘nickel and diming’ the production.”
SPOILER ALERT
Here’s a detailed look at his suggestions:
-Villa in Rome? It’s a nighttime scene, so try doing it in London instead.
-There’s fighting on a train! Again! But use fewer carriages — three instead of four.
-Forget the dramatic finale in the rain. It’ll lower the cost of visual/special effects.
-Earn an extra $6 million by showing “the more modern aspects” of Mexico to maximize “the Mexican incentive.” (The makers of Spectre are getting paid to film there.)
A retort by long-time Bond producer Barbara Broccoli was a firm foot down to Glickman’s ideas, as she stated she “cannot find the cemetery or villa in the UK.” Luckily, the remainder of the content honed in on several positive changes for the studio’s financial woes.
A major product placement deal with Heineken has loosened up the budgetary restraints, which also allowed for the studio to select Sherlock star Adam Scott to play C. Their original plan was for Chiwetel Ejiofor to tackle the role, but with the purse strings at critical, they could snag Scott for $1 million less than the 12 Years A Slave star.
Elsewhere in this never-ending stream of Spectre spoilers, it was revealed that Ernst Stavro Blofeld WILL be making an appearance, along with a “lesbian bad lady.” Sigh. It’s heartwarming to hear that the studios are steering away from harmful stereotypes, but then again, this is a Bond movie.