James Bond 23 on hold

(AFP PHOTO/Leon Neal)

The 23rd installment of the James Bond movie franchise, starring Daniel Craig and to be directed by Sam Mendes, is currently delayed indefinitely, announced EON Productions.

The postponement is a result of MGM, the film distributor, experiencing financial difficulties while attempting to sell the company and deal with massive debt.

The film was previously scheduled for release 2011/2012. The last Bond feature, a highlight in the MGM library, earned $586 million at the box office.

In the meantime Craig is busy with Steven Spielberg's The Adventures of Tintin and sci-fi western Cowboys and Aliens with co-stars Jon Favreau and Harrison Ford. He is next seen in the upcoming thriller Dream House with Rachel Weisz and Naomi Watts by director Jim Sheridan ( Brothers).

RC