The Bond franchise has been dealt another blow with Barabara Broccoli, daughter of former Bond producer Cubby, and MGM wrangling over the direction of the next film, "Bond 21" reports Monsters & Critics.

Like Pierce Brosnan, Broccoli wants the franchise to return to a plot and character driven formula, with more intelligent dialogue and a serious tone. The studio however apparently wants to maximize revenue on the cash cow and stick to the ever more spectacular stunts and effects.

This, together with the lack of director or indeed an actor to play 007 means that the next movie looks some time off. Observers now think it will be sometime late in 2006 and that is if they can settle differences.

Thanks to 'James'.