Bond in peril

Whoever replaces Irish star Pierce Brosnan as the new 007 - the battle between wannabes still rages - they will have to wait until the row between producer Barbara Broccoli and top studio MGM blows over.

Barbara wants to return to the more serious, plot-driven stories of the original films, but MGM is anxious to keep the James Bond stories packed with special effects, gadgets and jokey asides.

The new film is planned for a 2006 release, but that is now in doubt.