Eon vs. Marvel: the sequel

SPECTRE teaser poster

In April 2013, we contrasted the corporate model of movie making, as done by Marvel Studios, with the family model, as embodied by Eon Productions, which produces James Bond movies.

Since then, the differences have only gotten sharper and more defined.

Marvel, owned by Walt Disney Co., has laid out a slate of movies for the rest of the decade. It’s a movie assembly line.

Eon, controlled by the heirs of Albert R. Broccoli, isn’t so machine like. After a big hit with 2012’s Skyfall, it delayed production of SPECTRE, its current production, to ensure the participation of director Sam Mendes.

As a result, we’ve updated and expanded that 2013 post. To read the new version, CLICK HERE. It’s archived at the new SPY COMMAND FEATURE INDEX.

That site is a place to find longer feature stories written by Bill Koenig, editor of The Spy Command, that originally appeared on a now-inactive website.

First behind-the-scenes SPECTRE video released

The first behind-the-scenes video for SPECTRE has been posted, mostly showing the crew preparing to film an action sequence in Austria.

One of crew members commenting in the short video is associate producer Gregg Wilson, son of Michael G. Wilson, co-boss of Eon Productions. The younger Wilson has been working his way up the chain of command over the past decade. He had the title of assistant producer on 2008’s Quantum of Solace and was promoted to associate producer in Skyfall.

There are also brief comments by cast members Lea Seydoux and Dave Bautista. Star Daniel Craig and director Sam Mendes are briefly seen.

The video is self explanatory and doesn’t have spoilers, except for those who don’t want to see anything before the movie comes out. If you fall in that category, don’t view the video below.