by Mike Krumboltz A slew of criminal masterminds have tried to stop James Bond . These nefarious fiends could stand to learn a thing or two from MGM . The financially troubled studio has done what all the bad guys bent on world domination could never do: They pulled the plug on 007's upcoming adventure. The film, known for now as " Bond 23 ," was scheduled to hit theaters by 2012 and be directed by Academy Award winner Sam Mendes ("American Beauty"). Not anymore.