We’re big fans of Bond, James Bond here at HeyUGuys and the announcement at CES2012 this evening from MGM and 20th Century Fox is a welcome one indeed. The entire collection of Bond films are heading to Blu-ray with a special Bond50 collection.

All twenty-two films are being given a HD polish, with nine films making their debut in high-definition and we are being promised some exclusive bonus content yet to be detailed. All you need is Alan Partridge doing the commentary tracks and it’ll be the ultimate collection.

Click here to pre-order your copy before it arrives October 1st 2012.

Here’s the launch trailer, crank it up all the way to 1080p and enjoy.

And don’t go anywhere without watching the animated packshot!

Here’s the box set picture which can be clicked to make it enormous.

After what seems like years (because it has been) we finally have our first look at The Cabin in the Woods, the latest film from Cloverfield director Drew Goddard and Joss Whedon, involved here on production duty.

Whedon regular Fran Kranz has a place in the cast alongside West Wing/Studio 60 man Bradley Whitford and the cast also has Chris Hemsworth, Jodelle Ferland, Jesse Williams and Kristen Connolly to recommend itself and personally I can’t wait to see what Whedon and Goddard have in store for us.

Lionsgate are playing heavily on the fact that Pretty Teens Go to the Woods and Get Killed is pretty much beyond parody so there are a few hints in this trailer of how the story is skewed and the final montage contains some very mysterious images along with the obvious horror tropes.

Yahoo have this one first, but a big Hurrah to Whedonesque for the heads up. Be warned - it’s spoiler heavy even for a trailer, so if you want to be free to wander into the woods on the 13th of April unspoiled then stop right here.

Here’s your trailer,

Lionsgate have released a distorted new poster for MGM’s long-delayed horror-comedy Cabin in the Woods.

Written and directed by the combined talents of Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard, Cabin in the Woods stars a host of up-and-coming actors and actresses, including Jodelle Ferland, Chris Hemsworth, Amy Acker, Jesse Williams, Fran Kranz, Kristen Connolly and Bradley Whitford.

Five friends go to a remote cabin in the woods. Bad things happen.

After too many false starts to mention, Cabin in the Woods will finally hit cinemas on April 13, 2012. And, if this poster (below) is anything to go by, it’ll be well worth the wait.

Source: AICN

Created by British illustrator Martin Handford, Where’s Wally? is an incredibly popular series of books that has sold millions of copies across the world since it was first published back in 1987.

In America and Canada, the character’s name – which Wikipedia tells me has been changed to a name in the local language in many countries – is known as Waldo (other iterations include Walter in Germany, Charlie in France, and Valík in Czech), and Deadline report that MGM have acquired the rights to Where’s Waldo? and are planning on producing a live-action family film for the big screen.

Cue confused expression now, right? I’m as surprised as you are. Exactly how you go about making a live-action Where’s Wally? film is a little beyond me. Perhaps not just ‘how’, but also ‘why’. (Beyond the obvious monetary potential.)

A little research tells me, however, that there was in fact a thirteen-episode animated season back in the early nineties, which I had no idea even existed. So it’s not entirely unprecedented. Assumedly, though, a series of thirty-minute episodes of Where’s Wally? is a whole different kettle of fish to a feature film, and a live-action feature film at that. One big ninety-minute search for a man in a red and white top and bobble hat with blue jeans sounds a bit dull.

As you can imagine, I’m a little sceptical, as I’m sure you are too. But I’m sure MGM will be able to find someone who can turn it into a film in one way or another. All it takes is the right person with the right vision, and all of a sudden you’ve got something decent on your hands. So whilst I’m a sceptic for now, I’ll reserve any judgment until details of a plot surface, and then the film itself.

Admittedly, it’s going to be aimed at families, and so I’m not its target demographic, but still. Regardless of my scepticism, I’m at least interested to see what becomes of this, and am even looking forward to when the synopsis does surface, and then we can find out exactly how they will go about making a live-action Where’s Wally? film. I have a feeling that, like the books’ publication sales (which are north of 55m.), Wally will be travelling across the globe throughout the film, as we will too in our search for him, simultaneously giving the audience a feel for the visited countries whilst increasing its international market potential. Two birds, one stone.

We’ve had a reasonable amount of news for you over the months regarding the less than smooth development of Eminem-starring boxing project, “Southpaw”. Dreamworks were on board, but have now dropped out and although Summit have expressed interest, an MGM-Sony joint venture now seems to have thrown its hat in.

From a script by Sons of Anarchy creator Kurt Sutter, Antoine Fuqua should still direct this tale of the rise, fall and rise of a welterweight boxer. Sutter describes it as a metaphorical biopic for Eminem’s recent life, following on from 8 Mile, but translating Eminem’s struggles from a rapping career to one in the ring:-

“In a way, this is a continuation of the 8 Mile story, but rather than a literal biography, we are doing a metaphorical narrative of the second chapter of his life. He’ll play a world champion boxer who really hits a hard bottom, and has to fight to win back his life for his young daughter. At its core, this is a retelling of his struggles over the last five years of his life, using the boxing analogy. I love that the title refers to [Eminem] being a lefty, which is to boxing what a white rapper is to hip hop; dangerous, unwanted and completely unorthodox. It’s a much harder road for a southpaw than a right-handed boxer.”

With MGM producing and Sony distributing, their joint bid is said to be the front runner. It would be good to see this project get some traction and move forward into production, but for the time being we will have to be patient.

Source: Deadline.

It has been a tumultuous journey to the big screen but with MGM finally giving the greenlight to the 23rd Bond film the cast and crew are slowly assembling.

There is excellent news today with a report that Naomie Harris’s role, which was rumoured a month ago and is now in final negotiations, will be that of Miss Moneypenny, marking the character’s return to the franchise after the sparse ‘reboot’ of Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace.

Lois Maxwell is perhaps the actress most often associated with the role, though I enjoyed Samantha Bond’s take, and Harris’s previous form, notably in 28 Days Later and the recent TV adaptation of Andrea Levy’s Small Island, shows great promise and it will be interesting to see if her role is in any way expanded. While taking Q out into the field would seem a little too much for Bond purists, exactly how far Mendes will take Moneypenny in this new film isn’t clear.

According to The Daily Mail’s report (via The Playlist) she will be joined in the as-yet-untitled Bond film by Javier Bardem and Ralph Fiennes, who have been associated with the film during its protracted development, Bardem as the villain of the piece, but now are apparently all signed up.

In the two films thus far Daniel Craig has made the character his own and though audiences and critics were unimpressed with Quantum of Solace (which  I rather liked) the 23rd Bond film brings with it a lot of expectation not least from the director Sam Mendes, and the cast is shaping up to be one of the best the series has seen for years. November next year is the date to scratch into your diaries.

Actor/singer Ryan Gosling (Blue Valentine) is set to make his directorial debut with a remake of the musical biopic The Idolmaker.

Gosling will direct and star in the film for MGM, which tells the story of real-life rock promoter/star maker Bob Marcucci.

Taylor Hackford’s original, starring Ray Sharkey, was released in 1980.

Gosling will be seen next in comedy-romance Crazy, Stupid, Love.

Source: Deadline

Lionsgate are close to acquiring the distribution rights to MGM’s long-delayed irreverent horror film Cabin in the Woods.

Written and directed by Cloverfield producer Drew Goddard, with a little assistance from Joss Whedon, Cabin in the Woods stars Chris Hemsworth, Richard Jenkins, Bradley Whitford, Jesse Williams, Fran Kranz, Kristen Connolly, Anna Hutchison and Amy Acker.

A twisted and unusual take on the familiar “cabin in the woods” formula.

Cabin in the Woods was originally set to be released in October 2009, but was delayed so it could be converted into 3D. Then, MGM went into financial meltdown, and Cabin in the Woods was shelved indefinitely

But, assuming Lionsgate are successful in their acquisition bid, Cabin in the Woods could be released before the end of the year. That’s the dream, anyway.

Source: Deadline

This news has been floating around for the past 24 hours and I wasn’t going to post it but then decided that hearing the news that Bond 23 is drawing ever closer can only be a good thing. This is the news that Sony Pictures Entertainment has effectively joined forced with MGM to co-finance and distribute the movie across the globe. This can only be a good thing for Bond lovers (which includes us) bringing us one step closer to seeing Bond 23 on the big screen.

They also talk about Bond 24 also being financed in the same way over the next five years. All good considering MGM were in more than $3bn in debt less than a year ago! Not a bad turnaround eh?!

I’ll let the Press release which we’ve been sent do the talking:

MGM PARTNERS WITH SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT

IN WORLDWIDE THEATRICAL DISTRIBUTION

AND CO-FINANCING PACT

 

Culver City, April 13, 2011 – Sony Pictures Entertainment will remain in the James Bond business after reaching an agreement with MGM to co-finance and theatrically market and distribute Bond 23 worldwide, it was announced today by MGM Co-Chairmen and Chief Executive Officers Gary Barber and Roger Birnbaum and Sony Pictures Chairman and CEO Michael Lynton and Co-Chairman Amy Pascal.  Sony will release the next film in this iconic franchise on November 9, 2012 throughout the world except for select International territories, where MGM will directly oversee distribution.

 

Sony Pictures and MGM look forward to Sony Pictures co-financing and distributing Bond 24 on a similar basis.

 

Additionally, MGM and Sony Pictures have agreed to explore co-financing opportunities on future motion pictures produced by each of the respective studios for the next five years.

 

The two studios have collaborated directly and indirectly in recent years on numerous films, including Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, 21, Yours, Mine and Ours, The Pink Panther, and the forthcoming Kevin James comedy Zookeeper.

 

The announcement of the agreement to distribute Bond 23 adds another high-profile title to Sony’s 2012 slate, which also includes Men in Black 3 and The Amazing Spider-Man, as well as I Hate You, Dad, starring Adam Sandler, Here Comes the Boom, starring Kevin James, 21 Jump Street, Resident Evil 5 and Total Recall.

 

“Sony Pictures is the ideal studio partner for us as MGM re-enters the filmmaking business. We have longstanding relationships with Michael and Amy and look forward to what promises to be a prosperous future together,” said Barber and Birnbaum.

 

“In addition to working together on Bond, this deal expands our relationship with MGM as we explore co-financing opportunities on other high-profile projects,” Lynton said. “Gary and Roger are incredibly thoughtful and experienced leaders who are outstanding creative executives and respected moviemakers. While we are excited to be back in the Bond business, we also look forward to future collaborations and I am confident that this agreement will be long-term, lucrative, and beneficial to both studios.”

 

“After successfully working on the re-launch of the James Bond franchise with Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace, we could not be more proud or privileged to continue our association with Barbara Broccoli, Michael G. Wilson, Daniel Craig, and the talented teams at EON and MGM,” said Pascal.

 

When Sony released Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace, the films had record-high grosses for the Bond franchise, with Casino Royale taking in $599 million in worldwide ticket sales and Quantum of Solace generating $577 million.

 

About Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. is actively engaged in the worldwide production and distribution of motion pictures, television programming, home video, interactive media, music, and licensed merchandise. The company owns the world’s largest library of modern films, comprising around 4,100 titles. Operating units include Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc., United Artists Films Inc., MGM Television Entertainment Inc., MGM Networks Inc., MGM Distribution Co., MGM International Television Distribution Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Home Entertainment LLC, MGM ON STAGE, MGM Music, MGM Consumer Products and MGM Interactive. In addition, MGM has ownership interests in domestic and international TV channels reaching over 130 countries. For more information, visit www.mgm.com.

 

About Sony Pictures Entertainment

Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America, a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation.  SPE’s global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution; television production and distribution; home entertainment acquisition and distribution; a global channel network; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of entertainment in more than 140 countries.  Sony Pictures Entertainment can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.sonypictures.com. | http://twitter.com/SonyPicturesUK

 

About EON Productions

EON Productions Limited and Danjaq LLC are wholly owned and controlled by the Broccoli/Wilson family.   Danjaq is the US based company that co-owns, with MGM, the copyright in the existing James Bond films and controls the right to produce future James Bond films as well as all worldwide merchandising.   EON Productions, an affiliate of Danjaq, is the UK-based production company which makes the James Bond films.   The 007 franchise is the longest running in film history with twenty-two films produced since 1962.  Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli took over the franchise from Albert R ‘Cubby’ Broccoli in 1995 and have produced some of the most successful Bond films ever, including Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace.

Now that MGM has returned to a more secure footing courtesy of a $500m capital injection last year, they are finding the time to properly trawl through all of their various “stuck in limbo” projects to see what can be dusted off and shocked back to life.

MGM has already come on board with Paramount to co-finance Hansel & Gretel (starring Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton) and now they are putting word out that they intend to move forward with the following:-

• A reboot of Robocop. This was going to be a project for Darren Aronofsky who has since made Black Swan and signed on for The Wolverine. MGM want to get this moving towards production as soon as possible
• Mr Mom. This early 1980′s effort starred Michael Keaton as a stay at home dad and was written by John Hughes. It is perhaps not well known, but a good watch none the less.
• The Idolmaker. I cannot pretend to know much about this, but the 1980 film of the same name, directed by Taylor Hackford (Ray, Proof of Life, The Devil’s Advocate), was about a music producer discovering young talent. MGM are looking at a remake of this tale of a mercenary producer and his efforts to turn unknown teen boys into superstar teen idols.
• Hercules. Although the story of Hercules has had a whole host of cinematic incarnations, MGM are said to be looking at the idea of Hercules turning his back on the gods of Mount Olympus, becoming a merc and training up an army. Peter Berg (Battleship, Hancock, Friday Night Lights) is producing this project, which is still in development.
• Poltergeist. This may be a straight fourth sequel, or a reboot and given the success of jumpy supernatural films like Paranormal Activity, The Rite and (at least going by the trailer) Apollo 18, its resurrection comes as no surprise.

Well, that seems like plenty to be getting on with. What do you think? Do any of those appeal? Let us know below.

Source: Variety.

Javier Bardem (Vicky Christina Barcelona) has been offered a major role in the upcoming 23rd James Bond film, set to be directed by Sam Mendes (Revolutionary Road).

Details about the character are being kept under wraps, but it’s rumoured to be the lead villain.

Bardem, if he accepts, will star opposite Daniel Craig (Dream House) and Judi Dench (Nine), who are set to reprise their roles as James Bond and M, respectively.

In addition, MGM are negotiating to make an overall deal for worldwide theatrical and home entertainment distribution, giving the studio instant cash flow following its recent financial difficulties.

The as-yet-untitled film is set to be released on November 9, 2012.

Bardem can currently be seen in Biutiful, for which he received an Academy Award nominated for his engaging performance.

Source: Deadline

MI6.com (with a tip of the cap to ComingSoon for the heads up) have unveiled the news that Dame Judi Dench will be back in Bond 23 (with the possible title, Red Sky at Night), reprising her role as  MI6 boss, ‘M’ that she’s now played in six previous bond movies both alongside Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig. Craig is confirmed to be appearing in the 23rd move which is to be directed by Sam Mendes.

“Of course, I’m looking forward hugely to working with Daniel [Craig] again and with Sam [Mendes] who I’ve only ever worked with in the theatre. So that’ll be all good fun to do! I’m so glad it’s coming back, it’s wonderful.”

Great to see the cast developing ever further. More as we get it.

With MGM firmly back on track and the next instalment of their most revered and financially viable property picking up pace, it’s inevitable that the rumour mill kicks into action over the Bond 23. We’ve already heard whispers of Rachel Weisz coming on board and now rumoured titles for the film are beginning to crop up.

The Sun is claiming the film is “tipped” to be called Red Sky at Night. Does Bond opt for a career change, and become a sailor mid-film? Bleeding Cool have done a little digging and unearthed this from a message board:

“I’m close friends with an art director in the film industry, I wont mention his name but he has worked closely with production designer Michael Carlin and is about to start work in Canada on Kal-El, the next Superman movie. He was busy in 2010 on Bond 23 before it went into hiatus. He told me that the movie for a while had the code name Red Shadow, but when official documentation and the script arrived it contained the title Red Sky At Night and as such was referred to as this by Sam Mendes, Michael Carlin and the producers and the studio etc.”

ajb007 also goes on to add:

“He (the art director) also said that filming would have been done in Ontario, Canada and there was a large stunt involving the Ontario Tower as well as a huge hockey game and skiing/winter sports sequences.”

Discounting Die Another Day, 007 on skis is always a welcome treat, although Inception already did a Bond-on-ice homage last year. As for the title (if indeed this is the one which they’ve settled on), it doesn’t immediately stand out as particularly memorable, but it sounds a damn sight better than the likes of annoyingly tenuous titles like Tomorrow Never Dies and the aforementioned last adventure  for Pierce Bronsnan.

What do you think?

MGM have announced the as-yet-untitled 23rd James Bond film will enter production later this year and be released on November 9, 2012.

Sam Mendes (American Beauty) will direct from a script penned by Neal Purvis, Robert Wade and John Logan.

The official press release is embedded below:

BOND 23 RELEASE DATE ANNOUNCED

Los Angeles, CA (January 11, 2011) – Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli of EON Productions, together with Gary Barber and Roger Birnbaum, Co-Chairmen and Chief Executive Officers of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc., today announced that the 23rd James Bond film will commence production in late 2011 for a worldwide release on November 9, 2012.

Daniel Craig will be returning as the legendary British secret agent, with Sam Mendes directing a screenplay written by Neal Purvis, Robert Wade and John Logan.

The Wrap reported this story.

Last night went a little crazy on The Hobbit front with reports coming out that Warner Bros. will take on the world wide distribution of Peter Jackson’s movie, putting up the entire $500m for the movie with MGM retaining international television rights. Following that, news broke that Elijah Wood (Frodo in The Lord of the Rings) was going to be returning to the franchise which seemed rather crazy considering he doesn’t appear in The Hobbit at all.

Fortunately, the experts on everything to do with the franchise, The OneRing.net (with a heads up nod to BleedingCool) have uncovered how Wood will be a part of the movie detailing news that they’ll be a sequence which will show Frodo reading about the story of The Hobbit from a book.

As readers of The Hobbit know, the tale of The Downfall of the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit or There and Back Again are contained in the fictional Red Book of Westmarch. In Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings, the books are shown on screen and written by Bilbo and Frodo and handed off to Sam Gamges. (Not explained on film are Sam’s progeny later having the book and being Wardens of Westmarch – hence the books title).

This news follows our reports last year with news that Orlando Bloom would be back for The Hobbit reprising his role as Elf, Legolas and Cate Blanchett would return in her previous role as Galadriel.

More on this as we get it. We’d love to hear your throughts in the comments section below…

LOS ANGELES, CA, January 6, 2011- Roger Birnbaum and Gary Barber, MGM Co-Chairman and Chief Executive Officers, Toby Emmerich, President and Chief Operating Officer, New Line Cinema and Alan Horn, President and Chief Operating Officer, Warner Bros. Pictures today announced that MGM and Warner Bros have concluded a deal for Warner Bros. Pictures to handle international theatrical and video distribution responsibilities on MGM’s behalf for Peter Jackson’s highly anticipated adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit”. This arrangement results in Warner Bros. Pictures handling the bulk of worldwide distribution, while MGM will handle international television licensing for the films. MGM and WB will work collaboratively to coordinate marketing and release plans worldwide.

Jackson, who directed all three “The Lord of the Rings” films, will helm the two films back-to-back, telling the story of “The Hobbit” from screenplays written by Jackson, Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens and Guillermo del Toro.

The two “Hobbit” films are set to begin production in February 2011, with release dates targeted for December 2012 and December 2013. Jackson will utilize groundbreaking visual effects and his incomparable storytelling to bring Tolkien’s novel to the big screen. Both “Hobbit” movies will be filmed in Digital 3-D, using the latest camera and stereo technology to create a high quality, comfortable viewing experience.

Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and Carolynne Cunningham are producing the films for New Line, Warner Bros and MGM, with co-writer Philippa Boyens serving as co-producer and Ken Kamins and Zane Weiner as executive producers. The Oscar-winning, critically acclaimed “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, also from the production team of Jackson, Walsh and Cunningham, grossed nearly $3 billion worldwide at the box office. In 2003, “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” swept the Academy Awards, winning all of the 11 categories in which it was nominated, including Best Picture – the first ever Best Picture win for a fantasy film. The trilogy’s production was also unprecedented at the time.

There will be collective sighs of relief around Middle Earth and MI6 today with news from that Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. (MGM) are finally back from the financial brink, with the $500 million raised by the company in place following the “pre-packaged” plan of reorganization announced at the beginning of the month.

New CEO’s, Roger Birnbaum and Gary Barber (formally of Spyglass Entertainment) have commented in light of today’s events

“Beginning today, MGM is a stronger, more competitive company, with a solid financial foundation and a bright future. We look forward to working with MGM’s dedicated employees to build upon this company’s legacy.”

Secured lenders have exchanged approximately $5 billion (which includes both accrued interest and fees) for most of the equity in the company, and MGM raised $500 million to fund operations, which was no doubt achieved in part, by the promise of future money-spinning property like as the long-established Bond franchise and Peter Jackson’s trek back to The Shire.

This is obviously fantastic news for the studio after months of financial uncertainty, but it does raise questions over the amount of leverage it will now have over its productivity, given such a large stake the lenders have in the business.

Mark this one down as rumour people but Deadline are reporting that Bond 23 which will see Daniel Craig back as 007, will start shooing in the later part of 2011 for a release date of November, 2012.

This news comes as MGM’s bankruptcy has been approved by US courts which means that someone can manage the franchise to then distribute it although who that will be hasn’t been announced and probably won’t be for some time. Deadline also share news that Producer of the Bond franchise and Barbara Broccoli has been to see the play, Deathtrap in London’s West End for possible casting of Russell Beale.

The news also hit yesterday that Sam Mendes will still be directing after Kate Winslet shared the news.  Bottom line, Bond 23 is moving forward and we along with many others, are very pleased to hear it!

Head over to Deadline for the full lowdown.

Now that MGM have bitten the bullet and filed for bankruptcy, their attention is shifting to what they wish to crack on with, once they emerge out of the other side of that process.

Obviously the Bond franchise constitutes one of their most important and valuable properties and not only will they wish to capitalise on the renewed popularity and success of the franchise following the Casino Royale reboot, they also will want to avoid the spectre of having to reboot again if there is too much more delay in getting the next entry made.

News therefore comes, via HitFix, that MGM are planning to have a new Bond film on the big screen by November 2012, with a further entry every two years after that. That sort of release date would require going before the cameras by no later than the middle of next year, however quite a lot of the groundwork for the next Bond film is believed to have been laid by writer Peter Morgan (The Queen) and director Sam Mendes, who were both on board before MGM’s financial woes put everything on hold.

Whether Morgan, Mendes and Daniel Craig for that matter are still going to be interested and available we do not know. Perhaps MGM’s plan is to move forward as quickly as possible to avoid the giving the impression to the potential creative talent that they are signing up for endless delays. What is also missing at this stage is confirmation from EON Productions that they are happy to move forward.

Financially, MGM are hoping to find a collaborating partner who will foot the production bill for Bond 23 in exchange for half of the returns, but with MGM then reverting to being the sole producer for future Bond films.

This is all still quite a mess at the moment and although MGM’s haste may smack of desperation, a new Bond film with Craig, Mendes and Morgan all on board sounds thoroughly appealing. As always, more news as we get it.

It is a sorry end to a saga that feels like it has been running for ages. MGM’s financial woes were brought into focus first by the indefinite postponement of the Bond franchise and then by the delays caused in green-lighting The Hobbit. Now Reuters are reporting (via Yahoo! Entertainment) that MGM filed for bankruptcy on Wednesday morning.

A meeting of creditors last week voted to approve a packaged bankruptcy deal that would see $4bn in losses being shed and control of the studio being handed to secured creditors. Gary Barber and Roger Birnbaum, who run Spyglass Entertainment, will assume day to day management responsibility for MGM.

Lionsgate had proposed a merger with MGM, however in the end the final deal gives various secured creditors a stake in the equity of MGM as opposed to the secured debt they held. Much of this debt seems to have arisen from a $2.85bn leveraged buyout in 2005 and presumably the turnover of the studio has proved insufficient to service that debt, leading to the current bankruptcy.

MGM expects to be able to obtain funding upon emerging from bankruptcy to the tune of $500m, to enable it to finance assorted film and TV projects and Stephen Cooper, the MGM co-chief executive is reported as saying that the restructuring that will arise from the bankruptcy process will give MGM access to new sources of capital and improve their finances in the long run.

Hopefully we’ll be able to see the MGM lion roar again before too long. MGM has too glorious a history for anyone to want to see it disappear.

You can click through here to see the rest of Yahoo’s report.

The convoluted progress of The Hobbit towards the big screen is fast becoming as protracted a saga as Frodo’s journey from The Shire to Mount Doom. We’ve had issues over who will direct, then holdups over funding and MGM’s bankruptcy, then came a boycott from New Zealand’s two main actor’s unions, insisting on a better minimum wage and various other assurances relating to pay structures. All of this threatened to leave the production in limbo, until all but the union issues were resolved, with Peter Jackson then threatening to move the production to Eastern Europe. You can catch up on all of our posts on these issues and more, here.

This seems to have had the desired effect and whatever the perceived or real reasons, the unions have backed off. However, that has left matters far from resolved. Deadline say that the aggressive stance of the unions have left Jackson and Warner Bros with a lot of hard feelings and accordingly they have been considering filming elsewhere. This has all reached such a crescendo that the New Zealand Prime Minister has sought to intervene to try to keep the shoot based in New Zealand, with other high-level ministers said to be siding with Jackson’s position on the matter. Public opinion also seems to be very much against the tactics employed by the unions and a group of technicians and actors opposed to Equity’s actions, possibly numbering in the thousands, picketed Equity’s offices and then moved their protest on to Parliament! To quote Ron Burgundy, “Boy, that escalated quickly”.

Peter Jackson and his writing/producing partner Fran Walsh are clearly thoroughly unimpressed by the way the two actors guilds have behaved, firing off a very strongly worded press release. You can read the whole release at Deadline, but here is how it begins:-

The lifting of the blacklist on The Hobbit does nothing to help the films stay in New Zealand. The damage inflicted on our film industry by NZ Equity/MEAA is long since done.

Next week Warners are coming down to NZ to make arrangements to move the production off-shore. It appears we now cannot make films in our own country – even when substantial financing is available.

The spectacle of NZ Actors’ Equity suddenly cancelling their Wellington meeting, because film workers wanted to express to them their concern at losing The Hobbit, exemplifies the pure gutlessness of this small, self-centred group. They don’t appear to care about the repercussions of their actions on others, nor are they prepared to take responsibility for decisions made in their name. NZ Equity constantly refer to ‘good faith’ discussions but they have never acted in good faith towards our film.

Serious stuff indeed. Off the back of this clearly genuine and serious rift, The Daily Telegraph are reporting that the UK is being considered by Jackson, Walsh and Warners. Walsh said during a radio interview in New Zealand:-

“They have had people in the UK taking location photographs. They’ve got a huge studio there that Harry Potter has vacated, the ex-Rolls Royce factory, that they say would be perfect for us.”

This is a reference to the Leavesden Studios in Hertfordshire, which have hosted three Star Wars productions, as well as the Harry Potter films. Certainly it would be an amazing boost to the UK film industry to be hosting as immense a production as The Hobbit, although it would of course represent a corresponding disaster for New Zealand to lose it. Given also that Weta’s headquarters are in New Zealand, it may be that once everyone has calmed down, New Zealand will once again host Middle Earth.

We will keep you posted on all the news we hear. In the meantime, let us know below where in the UK you think might be able to convincingly double for Middle Earth.