British tabloid newspapers do a U-Turn on the `Brosnan Axed` saga, conspiracy theories a-hoy

22-Mar-2004 • Casino Royale

Like big ships at sea, it seems the UK tabloids take about a month to turn around 180 degrees too. The Daily Star this Sunday has done a U-turn on the `Brosnan Axed` story that stirred up the Bond world in February.

IMDB report that "Hollywood bosses were forced to offer Pierce Brosnan the chance to play James Bond for a fifth time - after fans threatened to boycott the films if they replaced him. Brosnan, who last played 007 in 2002`s Die Another Day, was only optioned to reprise his role as the secret agent - and producers were considering recruiting fellow Irishman Colin Farrell."

According to British newspaper The Daily Star, bosses deliberately leaked plans to gauge the response from the movie-going public - and were inundated with appeals not to ditch Brosnan. An un-named MGM executive tells the newspaper, "We didn`t realize what an army of supporters Pierce has. We got the message Pierce stays."

MI6 Rumour Rating: The `Brosnan Axed` saga looks set to roll and roll and roll...