Let The Viral Marketing Begin For Sam Mendes’ Spy Extravaganza And Ridley Scott’s Return To What He Does Best.

This side of The Dark Knight Rises and The Avengers, Skyfall and Prometheus are the most anticipated films to be released this year.  The latter film marks the end of Ridley Scott’s 30-year hiatus from science fiction.   Sam Mendes (American Beauty, Road To Perdition) has watched the dapper spy since he was 7 years, and now he is filming his version of Ian Fleming’s beloved spy series. 

IMAX executives have had their hands full for the past few years with large-scale action/adventure movies, working out deals to secure screens with film studios.  Another notion that commemorates 50 years of Bond films is putting 007 in IMAX theaters, a first in the series.  Also since renowned cinematographer Roger Deakins is on the production team, the 23^rd Bond film will be the first shot digitally.  As all of my subscribers know I am not a fan of the digital format, but at least the cinematographer is a proven pro and is utilizing the Arri Alexa 35mm digital camera.   I am quite sure that Mendes and Deakins will have superb photography in the dialogue and action sequences.  With all of the aforementioned considered, the most important aspect to mention is that Sir Sean Connery, Roger Moore, George Lazenby, Timothy Dalton, and Pierce Brosnan will be at the premiere in October 2012. 

The underrated Guy Pearce (Memento, The King’s Speech, L.A Confidential) in collaboration with Technology Entertainment Design (TED), gave a very intriguing performance as Peter Weyland, the CEO of the evil terraforming and exploring corporation.  The speech is grounded in existentialism and greed, yet oddly inspirational.  Ultimately it is an ode to the notion that mankind, although brave and intelligent, will ultimately lead themselves to demise due to curiosity.  Hence the Greek mythology concept of stealing fire from the gods.  We hope to see a full length trailer in the near future. 

Our 4th Most Anticipated Movie of 2012 Receives An Official Title: Skyfall

Today Cinematic Impact followed the brief yet fairly informative Bond 23 conference courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Columbia Pictures, and EON Productions.  007 fans can breath a sigh of relief about a few terrible rumors.  For starters the movie will very much be action based, despite the budget being 15 million less than Casino Royale and 65 million less than Quantum of Solace.  Obviously the bankruptcy of MGM had influence on the smaller amount of cash being dished out, but well choreographed gun fights, hand-to-hand combat sequences, and chase scenes in a 2 hour movie can be managed for under $100 million.  Skyfall has a budget of 135 million.  Chris Corbould (Casino Royale, Inception, The Dark Knight, The Dark Knight Rises) will be back as the special effects supervisor, so expect the technical standards bar to remain high.  Furthermore, Daniel Craig will not be sporting a Paul Bunyan/Grizzly Adams beard for the film. 

Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes, Albert Finney, and Naomi Harris have been confirmed as the newcomers to the MI6 spy series.  Harris will not be playing the relationship desperate yet sophisticated Miss Money Penny.   Bardem is confirmed as the main antagonist, and Fiennes (who was not present during the conference) could be a second villain. 

Not only has Mendes stated that there will be numerous surprises in this Bond outing; he is going to personally supervise all action sequences.  Yet we cannot confirm if Mr. Mendes does not use a 2^nd unit director as fellow directors Christopher Nolan and Quentin Tarantino direct every single frame of their films.  The director, cast, and crew have experienced problems with the Indian government in regards to filming high-octane scenes.  The upcoming The Dark Knight Rises and Mission: Impossible-Ghost Protocol also under-went crafty negotiations to get scenes filmed in India. 

Here’s to hoping that Sam Mendes and 9-time academy award nominated cinematographer Roger Deakins stick to film format for Skyfall.  Deakins shot the critically panned 2011 film In Time digitally, a first for the Hollywood veteran.  Skyfall does not need to suffer visually as Michael Mann’s Public Enemies did courtesy of the wedding video quality Sony F23 digital camera. 

Skyfall begins filming on November 3, 2011. 

Update on Thursday, November 3, 2011 at 9:45PM by Travlis Hallingquest