Pinewood confirms Bond 22 on track despite other Hollywood delays

Pinewood Studios has announced a "major film" contracted to use its stages next year has shut down production. The name of the production has not been disclosed, though a spokesman confirmed it was not the next James Bond film, reports the BBC

The announcement follows reports that a number of big-budget Hollywood movies have been put on hold because of the ongoing Hollywood writers' strike.

According to trade paper Screen Daily, however, the film in question is Da Vinci Code follow-up Angels and Demons.

"The project was already in preparation with a production office set up at Pinewood and plans to shoot in late February 2008," the publication said.

Parts of The Da Vinci Code, based on the novel by Dan Brown, were shot at the studios in 2005.

In an earlier statement, Pinewood Shepperton plc said the shutdown would result in a £3m shortfall, mainly in 2008.

It said attempts to replace the lost revenues would be "challenging" given the Writer's Guild of America strike.

It also cited "uncertainty" over future negotiations between the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) with the Hollywood studios.

Pinewood said it would still receive some income from the original contract. But it said the shutdown would "adversely impact ancillary film revenues" to the tune of £3 million.

If the writers' strike is responsible, it will be the first major film casualty to directly influence production in the UK.

In September Pinewood warned that delays to film production arising from the disputes in Hollywood were likely to hit its profits.

"It's difficult to believe the disruption won't continue into next year," said Michael Gubbins, editor of Screen Daily.

"It's a cliche perhaps, but it's true that when Hollywood coughs we all get a cold."

The Writers Guild is seeking to increase royalty payments for internet usage of their work.

The same concerns are sure to be raised when actors and directors begin their own contract negotiations next year.

Thanks to `Pierce - Daniel` for the alert.

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