Will Daniel Craig's 'Cowboy' adventure delay Bond 23?

[Mazer Rackham]

Oh noes!

Robert Downey, Jr.'s busy schedule could be Daniel Craig's gain. Downey, Jr. was attached to star in DreamWorks' new adventure "Cowboys and Aliens," but had to drop out due to scheduling conflicts. Now, Craig is in talks to play the hero in Jon Favreau's Sci-Fi Western.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the event flick examines what happens when cowboys and Native Americans team up after the Old West is attacked by aliens. The trade reports a gunslinger named Jake (Craig) leads the human revolt against the invaders, but it's unclear whether he'll be American or, um, a random Brit hanging out in the U.S. territories.

While it's good news the DreamWorks flick is moving forward, the more intriguing part of this story is where does it leave the next James Bond?

DreamWorks wants to shoot "Cowboys" this year for a 2011 release, that means at a minimum production will stretch into this fall when Bond was expected to be shooting. Now, MGM is waiting on either new ownership or investment before greenlighting the currently untitled 23rd James Bond movie, but the studio has a Nov. 18, 2011 release date on the books (at least to save the date). If that date holds, it would mean Bond would need to be shooting a year from now. Having visited the set of "Quantum of Solace," Craig made it clear at the time he wasn't thrilled that flick had such a quick shooting schedule before release (production ended in June only four months before opening). Considering the mixed results on that one compared to the beloved "Casino Royale," might the studio and EON productions move Bond 23 to Summer 2012? Never say never.

Additionally, it's hard to imagine "Cowboys" being ready to go before mid-summer at the earliest considering Favreau has a little movie called "Iron Man 2" he'll be working on until it's May 7 opening.

As for Downey, Jr. don't be sad for him. Word has it he had to drop out to shoot a sequel for "Sherlock Holmes" that could be ready as soon as Christmas 2011.

[katied]

The Cowboys and Aliens movie had potential..until they hired Craig. Do I need to say it again?He's box.office.poison.

[Mazer Rackham]

The Cowboys and Aliens movie had potential..until they hired Craig. Do I need to say it again?He's box.office.poison.

It had potential with Downey, Jr or Will Smith in the lead role.

Officially Craig is "in negotiations" which means that he has NOT been cast in the lead role quite yet. These kinds of things until signed can fall apart. See Brozza's 5th Bond movie. My read on Craig is he is gagging for any kind of high profile role he can get, for his part he will do this unless something external like Dreamworks backing out (hiring someone like Nathan Fillion?) prevents it.

I heard one rumor about Craig on this but can't verify it yet.

[katied]

I heard one rumor about Craig on this but can't verify it yet.

Flashbacks Of A Fool 2? seriously, I think there was talk of a sequel to that movie at one point.

[Omega]

Are you sure Daniel Craig is the cowboy and not the alien

[katied]

If he keeps having work done to stay young looking he's going to look like an alien!

[oscartheman]

Hey if Craig is busy when the new owners come on board maybe they'll recast

[katied]

Hey if Craig is busy when the new owners come on board maybe they'll recast

It would be nice, but doubtful.

[Kristatos]

Hey if Craig is busy when the new owners come on board maybe they'll recast

It would be nice, but doubtful.

I agree. Other actors seem to manage to schedule multiple projects back-to-back, or even at the same time.

[katied]

I agree. Other actors seem to manage to schedule multiple projects back-to-back, or even at the same time.

I don't think Craig is one of those people.

[Capt. Sir Dominic Flandry]

Surely Bond is the priority and he will have to turn down the other movie if he has to choose.

[katied]

Babs keeps him on a short leash..I suspect if production starts he will have to be there ASAP.

[Omega]

Surely Bond is the priority and he will have to turn down the other movie if he has to choose.

I think he scheduled in Bond 23 for a 2011 filming. I don't think unless he picks more work that it will conflict with Bond.

[Kristatos]

Babs keeps him on a short leash..I suspect if production starts he will have to be there ASAP.

Bullcrap. If he says he wants to do this cowboy thing and that the Bond shoot will have to be rescheduled, she'll just flutter her eyelashes and say "oh Daniel, you're so strong, so masterful".

[katied]

Babs keeps him on a short leash..I suspect if production starts he will have to be there ASAP.

Bullcrap. If he says he wants to do this cowboy thing and that the Bond shoot will have to be rescheduled, she'll just flutter her eyelashes and say "oh Daniel, you're so strong, so masterful".

And add "If you want to make a crap non-Bond film,that's fine".

[Mazer Rackham]

Babs keeps him on a short leash..I suspect if production starts he will have to be there ASAP.

Bullcrap. If he says he wants to do this cowboy thing and that the Bond shoot will have to be rescheduled, she'll just flutter her eyelashes and say "oh Daniel, you're so strong, so masterful".

Spot on. If anyone doubts this just look and how much she perverted the franchise to make him Bond and then how much she has done to keep him. Little known story is he almost walked away after CR she scrambled around like nuts to keep him.

[Kristatos]

Little known story is he almost walked away after CR she scrambled around like nuts to keep him.

That explains the decision to hire Forster (his choice, apparently).

[katied]

Little known story is he almost walked away after CR she scrambled around like nuts to keep him.

Really! care to elaborate?

[Mazer Rackham]

Little known story is he almost walked away after CR she scrambled around like nuts to keep him.

Really! care to elaborate?

There are few news burbs around about it, but the long and the short of it is when Craig got that $2m bonus and then a new more favorable contract giving him a piece of the profits it was after he made noises, no a little bit more than that, he went through the motions of walking away.

[katied]

Wow. Seems like it was kept secret(with good reason).