MGM’s financial troubles are causing a lot of problems in Hollywood, with Guilermo Del Toro saying the delays on The Hobbit (caused by MGM) are what recently caused him to leave, while Sam Mendes gave up directing several movies to concentrate on the next Bond film, only to have the rug pulled out from under him when production of 007’s next adventure was postponed indefinitely while MGM sorts itself out.
While many wondered whether the uncertainty would mean he’d abandon Bond, Deadline reports that he’s still with the project, but looking around for another movie to make first. For a while it seemed he’d make The Great and Powersul Oz, which would tell the story of the wizard (Robert Downey Jr) and how he became the man behind the curtain. However it now seems he’ll hand that job to someone else and instead make On Chesil Beach.
Based on Ian McEwan’s novella (the author is also writing the script), the film is set in the early 60s and revolves around two repressed virgins in their early 20s whose attempt to consummate ends badly, leading to doubt and recrimination.
Mendes is apparently already speaking to Carey Mulligan about playing one of the lead characters, although she’s yet to commit.
That’s not all the director is up to, as he’s also planning to squeeze in a major stage musical before Bond revs back up, this one for Warner Bros. theatrical arm, based on Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, with songs from the Hairspray team of Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. It’s hoped the show will premiere in the West End before the end of next year, before heading to Broadway sometime afterwards.