I’m going to steer clear of the whole MGM quagmire on this piece.  Right now, the issue is deader than MGM threatens to be.  There’s zero to report on both it and the possible fate of the Bond franchise.  I want Daniel Craig back in a big way in the role, as I’m sure most of you do.  We already know he’s willing to do it, and the only thing holding it back is the MGM situation, which, if you recall, I’m writing an entire paragraph about how I’m steering clear of the issue. 

The only thing new to be found in this whole mess are some recent comments that Craig gave when speaking to the LA Times.  In a nutshell:

  • “It’s out of my hands.” 
  • “I’m ready and willing, and if I get the call, I’ll be there.”
  • “You probably know more than I do.”
  • “It is what it is. Unless MGM can sort themselves out, we can’t make a
    movie. It’s hard to talk about things that aren’t happening. There will
    be more to say when things are happening. I’m really keen to get going,
    it’s as simple as that. And I’m hoping that, in a while, we will.”
  • “I felt as if we were just getting going and that we’d get the chance
    to make a couple more,” the actor said. “I’d like to fulfill the circle
    with the story. But, yes, there is nothing really to say until
    whoever gets that house [at MGM] in order. There’s no chance of getting it made until those things are taken care of.”

So as much as Craig says, he can’t really say anything, as the actor says himself, see what I’m saying? 

Getting back to that whole MGM thing of which I’m steering clear, on the only two things the studio has going for it, Bond and The Hobbit, I know there are many who don’t see Guillermo Del Toro’s departure from the latter property to be a bad thing.  The Hobbit will eventually happen, I’m pretty certain of that.  Likewise, Bond will eventually reemerge.  But the most desirable scenario is clearly with Craig in the role.  Other guys can play Bond, sure.  Hell, back when, I was favoring Clive Owen over Craig before I saw the man work.  For right now, though, and for the next few years at least, he’s the only one I want to see.  It’s at least reassuring to hear him say that the feeling is mutual.