In a first for the James Bond franchise, MGM plans to spinoff a spy vehicle based around the character of Jinx, played by Halle Berry in the upcoming installment in the series, “Die Another Day.”
Berry has already agreed to reprise her role as a tough, sexy, intelligent and resourceful female equivalent to 007. She’s a CIA agent who employs ruthlessness and gadgets to stop uber-villains aiming to conquer the world.
Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli –the producers of “Day” and the execs who hold half the reins to the $3.8 billion Bond franchise — have given their approval to a Jinx pic.
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Although it had been rumored that Michelle Yeoh would star in her own series of spy pics after appearing in 1997’s “Tomorrow Never Dies,” the Jinx project would represent the first time a character featured in a Bond film has ever segued into his or her own film.
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MGM and the Bond franchise’s producers have been high on Berry’s involvement with “Day” from the start, even going so far as to prominently feature the actress alongside Pierce Brosnan throughout the pic’s marketing campaign.
Given Berry’s exposure and appeal with U.S. auds after her Oscar win for “Monster’s Ball,” the Lion is hoping Berry will help drive “Day’s” global box office past the $361 million ceiling hit by “The World Is Not Enough” in 1999. “Day” is the 20th installment in the 40-year-old Bond franchise.
The Jinx project is still in the early stages of development. Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, who scripted “Day’ and “The World is Not Enough,” are working on a treatment.
“Day” bows domestically Nov. 22. Pic, helmed by Lee Tamahori, marks Pierce Brosnan’s fourth outing as the British superspy.
Berry, who is repped by CAA, will next appear in the superhero sequel to “X-Men” for Fox.
Her dance card is quickly filling up, giving MGM some time to develop the Jinx project.
Berry soon begins production on the actioner “The Guide,” which will reunite her with “Day” helmer Tamahori at Paramount.
Besides “Jinx,” she is also attached to three additional pics at MGM, including the Luis Mandoki-helmed thriller “Need,” “Brown-Eyed Girl” and a remake of “Foxy Brown.”
