The recent James Bond sequel film titled "Spectre" has now been receiving unwanted attention regarding some changes in the movie's storyline in exchange for $20 million in incentives, allegedly coming from Mexico City which shares a fraction of the film's location, reports the Los Angeles Times.
This information apparently come from Sony's leaked documents which were hacked by a group that was said to be linked to North Korea. It includes email conversations between MGM president Jonathan Glickman and film producers wherein the former mentioned:
"You have done a great job in getting us the Mexican incentive, By all accounts we can still get the extra $6M by continuing to showcase the modern aspects of the city, and it sounds like we are well on our way based on your last scout. Let's continue to pursue whatever avenues we have available to maximize this incentive."
While Glickman admittedly confessed that the upcoming James Bond movie is probably one of the most expensive films ever made, it is inevitable that gaining commissions is a given. Demands from Mexico were allegedly laid out and all specifically stated, according to a report by Tax Analysts.
Some of the demands include the following, as noted by the Los Angeles Times:
"- The villain, a female killer named Sciarra, could not be a Mexican.
- A woman from whose hotel room Bond starts his search for Sciarra must be played by a 'known Mexican actress.'
- The assassination target, written originally as the mayor of Mexico City, must be changed to be an international official.
- Mexican police should be replaced by a 'special force.'"
Questions are now raised on how film incentives are able to change the plot or maybe even the entirety of the film. The allegations, however, were declined by Sony executives.
According to the "Spectre" studio, although changes have been made, it only affected a small portion of the film. The adjustment only took place in the opening scene of the film where Mexico City was highlighted, Sony defended.
Mexico has been very careful in upholding its image after a decade of drug war problems and on-going high profile violence involving drug cartels and mafia syndicates, reports Washington Post. With that, it seems that the Mexican government will do whatever means necessary to make the country look as good as possible. In fact one of Mexico's alleged demands to the producers of the film is to highlight the country's modern aspects such as the Skyline and modern infrastructures.