New Bond film with Craig coming
James Bond finally is getting back into action.
The new management at MGM, along with Bond producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, announced Tuesday that the 23rd film in the spy franchise will arrive in theaters Nov. 9, 2012.
That will mark a four-year hiatus for Bond since his last adventure, 2008’s “Quantum of Solace.”
The franchise had been on hold amid MGM’s financial troubles, with the company now trying to start over after filing for bankruptcy protection and restructuring last November.
Daniel Craig returns for his third outing as the British super-spy. Sam Mendes (“American Beauty,” “Road to Perdition”) is directing, with production expected to start late this year.
Who you gonna call again?
Power up that Proton Pack: “Ghostbusters 3” is closer to becoming a reality.
Ivan Reitman, who directed and produced the first two “Ghostbusters” movies, says “a very good script” for the third installment in the comic ghost-hunting tale has been sent to star Bill Murray.
“It’s good enough to do, to take the risk of doing again,” Reitman says.
His latest project, the romantic comedy “No Strings Attached,” starring Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher, opens next Friday.
Clooney marches on
George Clooney’s new film, “Ides of March,” begins shooting next month in Cincinnati.
Clooney directs and stars as a Democratic governor running in the presidential primaries. The film also stars Ryan Gosling, Marisa Tomei, Evan Rachel Wood, Paul Giamatti and Philip Seymour Hoffman.
Clooney’s father, Nick, has worked as a TV news anchor in Cincinnati and also wrote a newspaper column there.
No release date has been set.
A Hobbit-forming role
Ian McKellen is returning to Middle Earth.
The 71-year-old actor confirmed that he will reprise his role as Gandalf in Peter Jackson’s two-part blockbuster “The Hobbit.” Production is scheduled to begin in New Zealand next month.
Based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s novel “The Hobbit,” the two films follow the first adventures in Middle Earth, predating Jackson’s “Lord of the Rings” trilogy.
Also returning for the prequels are Elijah Wood, Cate Blanchett and Andy Serkis.
Oscars go time-traveling
Oscar viewers, get ready to take a trip.
Academy Awards producers say this year’s telecast will pay homage to iconic moments in movie history, using music and images to transport viewers to the scenes of memorable movies, performances, eras and even the first Academy Awards.
Oscars for sound and other less viewer-friendly categories will be presented during these short sojourns. Producers hope they will help improve the average movie fan’s understanding of how various elements contribute to moviemaking.
The Academy Awards will be presented Feb. 27 at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles. Nominations will be announced Jan. 25.
Director nominees announced
The filmmakers behind Academy Awards favorites “The Social Network” and “The King’s Speech” were nominated this week for the Directors Guild of America’s top prize.
Along with David Fincher and Tom Hooper, nominees include Darren Aronofsky for the psychosexual thriller “Black Swan,” Christopher Nolan for the sci-fi blockbuster “Inception” and David O. Russell for the boxing drama “The Fighter.”
The winner will be announced Jan. 29.