Pinewood’s Skyfall-out

Bond film studios in new planning fight

'Our customers are concerned' ... Pinewood Shepperton chief Ivan Dunleavy

THE studios behind 007 movie Skyfall yesterday accused council chiefs of blocking their plans for more Hollywood blockbusters.

PINEWOOD SHEPPERTON wants to double in size and make four films at once — up from two now.
Council bosses have twice rejected the bid, claiming it would be on greenbelt land.


But studio chief Ivan Dunleavy rapped: “We’re lodging an appeal. Film makers want to come to the UK.
“We’ve got good talent here — both in front of and behind the cameras. We just need more space.”

Pinewood has been picked as the set of the new Star Wars epic, which is due to start production next year and could see the return of Ewan McGregor.

However, bosses now fear losing other major movies.

Mr Dunleavy said the studios were now “perilously close to turning away work”.

He added: “Our customers are concerned that the company has sufficient capacity to meet their needs.”
Pinewood has already spent £2million on its planning battle with South Bucks district council.

The firm argues it should be allowed to expand as the site in Iver, Bucks, was once landfill and is next to the M25. A public inquiry starts in November.

Film shoot ... Daniel Craig in Skyfall and Ewan McGregor in Star Wars

Columbia Pictures / THE KOBAL COLLECTION / LUCASFILM

As well as filming 21 of the 23 Bond adventures — now with Daniel Craig as 007 — Pinewood has also been the set for the Harry Potter and Sherlock Holmes movies as well as scores of others.

Meanwhile, Pinewood yesterday announced total revenues of £55.6 million in the year to March — down from £63 million in the previous accounting period, the 15 months to March 2012.

Operating profits more than doubled to £5.4 million and shareholders are set for a 1.5p dividend.
And Pinewood said revenues from its movie unit showed “strong growth”, rising to £35.2 million.
Mr Dunleavy said: “It’s a big result on the film side.

“It demonstrates quite tangibly why we need more space. The market is there.”
However, its telly arm did poorly in comparison.

It was closed for four months for refurbishment, which meant revenues of just £5.2million for the year.
In January, Pinewood struck a multi-year deal with Camelot to broadcast the Lottery, which involved building a third TV facility.

Source: The sun