Brosnan's Back

Reports of 007's demise exaggerated.

It seems that recent reports of Pierce Brosnan's exit from the James Bond franchise were a bit premature. According to today's Variety, MGM has just renewed a first-look deal with Brosnan's Irish DreamTime production company – they're currently developing the action flick Mexicali and a sequel to The Thomas Crown Affair as star vehicles for Brosnan. More importantly, the trade adds that Brosnan will be back for a fifth turn as 007 and that Bond 21 is being readied for a November 2005 release.

Rumors of Brosnan's departure began surfacing several days ago in the Chicago Sun-Times and elsewhere. They peaked yesterday with fansite Commander Bond claiming negotiations for Brosnan's Bond 21 contract had ceased, and that the search for the next James Bond was well underway. They stated, "Though no replacement has been found at this time, filming of Bond 21 is still reported to begin in early 2005. Eon Productions is said to be waiting to make an announcement until Brosnan's successor is named."

The Sun-Times recently reported that "the producers of the 007 films will not pick up (Brosnan's) option to cast him in what would have been his final outing as the enduring British spy." An Eon spokesperson apparently confirmed the casting news, advising the paper that "we are always looking to target younger audiences. ... We want fans who will still be watching in 40 years."

What to make of all this? Well, it could've been a bit of hardball on the part of
Brosnan or the studio. Leaking information like this to the press and trying to force another party's hand in negotiations is not uncommon. Regardless, it seems that we'll see Brosnan back as Bond at least one more time.

Brosnan next stars in New Line's romantic comedy Laws of Attraction, opposite Julianne Moore. He'll follow that with The Matador, for Stratus Films.

-- Brian Linder

FilmForce

13th February, 2004