The third Bond film to star Daniel Craig, and the 23rd overall in the hugely profitable franchise, has been put on "indefinite hold," as funding studio MGM failed to finalise a deal to sell themselves.
Sam Mendes was attached to direct the latest instalment, and had been actively developing the project for a shooting date in the next few months. But a press release by way of producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, announced that the proposed start of production wouldn't be happening so swiftly: "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. We do not know when development will resume and do not have a date for the release of the film." That's a damn shame given the quality of the director who was calling the shots. Mendes will most certainly move on to something else now.
MGM were in negotiations with numerous suitors, but none, thus far, appear to be edging closer to a deal. This also leaves the currently in development Lord of the Rings prequel, The Hobbit, in a state of limbo as well.