Bond Is Back Back Back! Officially.
12 January 2011

Sam Mendes shooting for November 2012

It’s been on and off more times than Bond has knocked back his trademark martini cocktail, but it finally looks like things are sliding into place for the 23rd instalment of the 007 franchise, with MGM and the EON bods announcing that the new film will arrive on November 9, 2012.

For those looking to mark the various elements off their checklist, Daniel Craig will return as Bond and Sam Mendes is still attached to call the shots.

The one intriguing wrinkle is a mention of the script, which according to the Heat Vision blog has been written by regular contributors Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, along with John Logan (it would seem Peter Morgan is no longer involved).

Logan’s worked on the likes of Gladiator, The Aviator, The Last Samurai and, more recently, Rango and Hugo Cabret, though some on Team Empire (okay, one) have yet to forgive him for Star Trek: Nemesis. Still, it’ll be interesting to see what he brings to Her Majesty’s finest secret agent.

There is no word on other elements yet, though given that he’s talked about the project, it’s a fair bet that David Arnold will be returning to compose the music. And unless Mendes is headed in a radical new direction with the character, Judi Dench will probably turn up as M.

MGM is now fielding offers from various studios to distribute the film, with Casino Royale/Quantum of Solace home base Sony and Paramount said to be the big contenders.

Now maybe we can all put the will it/won’t it return speculation behind us and start endless speculation about what the new movie will bring…

http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=29867

Finally! It has been too long a wait already... Interesting to see what Sam Mendes (American Beauty, Road to Perdition, Jarhead) will do with the franchise.

yeah, I'm really looking forward to this. good thing they kept craig...

Anthony Hopkins to Play 'Bond 23' Villain?
9 March 2011

In what may go down as one of the best James Bond casting moves ever, Oscar-winning actor Anthony Hopkins is reportedly up for the villain role in the as-yet-untitled 'Bond 23.'

The report comes from The Sun, which quotes a source as saying, "The only stumbling block seems to be the number of films he is signing up for. There is a chance the character they want him to play could become a regular feature, like Blofeld back in the day." No other information about the character was given.

Whether or not the report is actually true, the idea of Hopkins playing a villain in a Bond movie (or any villain, really) is enough to get us excited. He knows how to make even the biggest of baddies charming (hello, 'Silence of the Lambs') and would be a perfect match for Daniel Craig's tough-guy persona.

In the meantime, what does that mean for Javier Bardem, who was also rumored to play a villain in the movie? We don't know.

Either way, we're just happy to see that 'Bond 23,' which has long been plagued by setbacks due to MGM's financial woes, is continuing to move forward.

The movie, which will be directed by Sam Mendes (American Beauty), will also see the return of Judi Dench as Bond's no-nonsense boss, M, and is currently pegged for a Nov. 9, 2012, release.

http://blog.moviefone.com/2011/03/09/an ... s-bond-23/

Sam Mendes' Upcoming James Bond Film To Shoot In India (Report)
30 August 2011

Indian government reportedly clears shooting approvals for next James Bond outing to film in various locations including Delhi and Goa.

NEW DELHI – India's Information and Broadcasting Ministry has reportedly given shooting permissions for the next James Bond installment – helmed by Sam Mendes – to possibly film in multiple locations including Delhi, Goa and near Ahmedabad in the western state of Gujarat.

The Times of India newspaper reported Wednesday that the Daniel Craig-starrer has been given permission to shoot in locations in North Goa with the exception of some railway locations “due to security concerns.” But the report added that according to sources, the production team is in discussions with India's Railway Ministry to obtain permissions for shooting in two railway locations in Goa. Earlier reports had indicated that the Bond production team required to film a railway action sequence.

Similarly near Ahmedabad, the production has sought permissions to shoot in an area that is close to certain power and fuel installations. Quoting a source, the report said, “We have suggested that these vital installations be avoided during the shoot in this area.”

In the capital Delhi, the Bond production is expected to shoot in the crowded old bazaar area of Daryaganj and in the Sarojini Nagar flea market popular for its many clothing stalls and shops while Mumbai is also expected to be on the agenda.

Set for release in 2012, Bond 23 marks the 50th anniversary of the successful franchise.

India has been on the itinerary for recent international productions such as the upcoming Ang Lee-directed Life of Pi, Roland Joffe's historic epic Singularity and Michael Winterbottom's upcoming Trishna which sets Thomas Hardy's Tess of the d'Urbervilles in India starring Freida Pinto.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/j ... ort-229522

i agree. never been a big bond fan. But i like the realistic feel craig ad to the bond series. the action almost feel like Taken and the Bourne movies.

Acting Legend Albert Finney Joins Sam Mendes' James Bond 23
28 October 2011



When it was announced that Oscar-winner Sam Mendes, a man best known for prestige pictures like 'American Beauty' and 'Revolutionary Road', would be directing the new James Bond film, it was generally seen as something of a curveball. And if anyone was expecting business as usual for the franchise, they were mistaken. While previous entries have been made up of acclaimed, but relatively small names like Mads Mikkelsen and Mathieu Amalric, Mendes has stacked his deck with a host of award winners.

Joining Daniel Craig and Judi Dench for the new installment, rumored to be titled 'Skyfall', were Javier Bardem and Ralph Fiennes, both Oscar-lauded actors a few steps above the usual Bond villain names, while much-praised stage actors like Ben Whishaw, Naomie Harris, Helen McCrory and Rory Kinnear (who appeared in 'Quantum of Solace' as M’s right-hand man, but will have a bumped-up role this time out) are also on board, along with relative newcomer Berenice Marlohe, who’ll play the Bond girl. And they’ve been joined by another acting legend, one with recent experience in the spy genre.

Baz Bamigboye, who’s been the first stop for casting on the project throughout, reports that the great Albert Finney joined the cast for a recent table read and has landed "a reasonably big role" as a higher-up at the British Foreign Office, and M (Judi Dench)‘s superior. Finney is, obviously, a much-lauded star of stage and screen with a career stretching back over 50 years, and is a five-time Oscar-nominee, most recently a decade ago for 'Erin Brokovich'.

He’s been away from the screen for almost five years, battling prostate cancer, but 2012 will see him pull a double-header in the two big spy franchises, as he’s also reprising his role as creepy Mengele-esque mastermind Dr. Albert Hirsch in Tony Gilroy‘s 'The Bourne Legacy', having already appeared in the last installment, 2007’s 'The Bourne Ultimatum'. Our guess is that his Bond role is the one that Mendes was pursuing 'The Deep Blue Sea' star Simon Russell Beale for, until the actor had to step out of the running due to stage commitments in London.

Considering the wealth of talent involved and a script by 'The Aviator' and 'Coriolanus' scribe John Logan (who Bamigboye reports is being courted for future films), this is certainly the most eagerly anticipated Bond flick in years, which is fitting, as the film will be released almost exactly 50 years after the first movie, 'Dr. No..' Shooting finally begins next week, and there is a press conference scheduled at Pinewood Studios so we’re expecting a few more details—and perhaps the official title—will arrive at that time. 'James Bond 23' hits theaters on November 9, 2012 (with a European release coming two weeks earlier).

http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/ ... bond_film/

good news....cant wait

Hopkins you gotta be kidding me, this will be ace

James Bond 23 Is Skyfall
3 November 2011

Javier Bardem Will Be the Villain

Skyfall, the title for James Bond 23, has been formally announced at a West End press conference disappointingly free of armed goons or men stroking cats. The news - widely speculated about online since domain names bearing permutations of the title were purchased by MGM and Sony Pictures - is hardly a big surprise. If you're holding a betting slip with 'Quantum Of Solace 2: Quantums Will Be Solaced' rip it up now, then come and work for Empire.

Entering to Monty Norman’s iconic Bond Theme, producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson were joined by director Sam Mendes who introduced most of his major cast. Judi Dench, French newcomer (and newest Bond girl) Bérénice Marlohe, Naomie Harris, and, of course, Daniel Craig. Perhaps the biggest surprise was the appearance of Javier Bardem, described by Mendes as “the villain of the piece”.

So what can we tell you about the new Bond ladies? At this point, not to much. The glamorous Marlohe enigmatically revealed that she’ll play “a glamorous, enigmatic character”, and Harris dismissed those Moneypenny rumours by announcing that she’ll play “a field agent called Eve”.

The venue of the press call - London's Corinthia Hotel - a one-time Ministry of Defence property wasn’t just a fittingly espionage-y setting for the announcement but a location for the shoot. Mendes explained that part of the film will be shot in Whitehall, as well as taking 007 to China – Shanghai and elsewhere – Istanbul and “remote” parts of Scotland.

Mendes explained that other commitments (and a lack of chairs) meant that absentees included Ben Whishsaw (“playing a part I can tell you nothing about in a scenes I can tell you nothing about”), Ralph Fiennes
(ditto) and Albert Finney (ditto).

And what of the plot? According to the press release: "Bond's loyalty to M is tested to the full as her past comes back to haunt her. As M16 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost."

Skyfall doesn’t relate to any other Fleming or Bond property to date, and there’s no whiff of the mysterious Quantum and its devious schemes. “It’s its own story,” stressed Mendes. “It doesn’t connect with the other films. Neal Purvis, Robert Wade and John Logan have written a fantastic script and I think it has all the ingredients to be a fantastic Bond movie, including – to quash any rumours – lots of action.”

What about gadgets? “I can’t give much away,” said Mendes, “except that there’ll be lots of surprises”. Jam trousers, here we go.

Principal photography starts on Monday. Skyfall will land on our screens on October 26, 2012.

http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=32393

James Bond Producers Unveil Bond 23 Title As 'Skyfall'
3 November 2011

Bond producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli unveil the title of Bond 23 as 'Skyfall'.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZOEpcQqss0

New Bond Girl Bérénice Marlohe

French actress Bérénice Marlohe is Sam Mendes' choice to play the new Bond Girl in Skyfall.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqNlQ-pop50

Helen McCrory Joins Skyfall
8 November 2011

Ola Rapace Also On for New Bond Outing

While the big launch for the next James Bond film, Skyfall, happened last week, director Sam Mendes is not quite finished adding to the cast. And why would he be, since Bond outings always boast big ensembles? The latest names added to the list are Helen McCrory and Ola Rapace.

McCrory may be best known for her appearances as Narcissa Malfoy in three of the Harry Potter films, but she’s also been seen in projects such as The Queen and Enduring Love. She’ll next appear in Hugo.

Rapace is likely even less well known to audiences here, though that last name might be a giveaway: he’s Noomi Rapace’s ex-hubby and has worked on the likes of Together. In case you were wondering, there's no word on what roles they'll be playing in Skyfall.

We do know they’re joining a cast that already includes Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, Bérénice Marlohe, Judi Dench, Naomie Harris, Ralph Fiennes, Albert Finney and Ben Whishaw. Skyfall has just started shooting and will be out on October 26 next year.

The casting news was broken over Twitter by @007, the official James Bond account, which also showed off the first official picture sent from the set. (Don’t get too excited – it’s mostly the clapperboard and some sinks). And though we’re wondering why James Bond tweets aren’t mostly either puns used after killing bad guys, or cheesy lines tried on women, we’re glad it exists. Especially if it can counterbalance the impending avalanche of unofficial set photos…

http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=32422

Mendes Casts Whishaw as Bond Gadget-Meister Q in Skyfall
25 November 2011



Clearly, director Sam Mendes is seeking to update the Bond franchise and pull in some younger viewers. While Daniel Craig and Judi Dench are returning as agent 007 and his boss, M, respectively, John Cleese will not come back as Q. That role will go to a younger-generation gadget-master to be played by Ben Whishaw, 31, a terrific actor who shined as Freddy Lyon in the Brit TV series "The Hour," Ariel in Julie Taymor's "The Tempest," one of several incarnations of Bob Dylan in Todd Haynes' "I'm Not There," and Jane Campion's "Bright Star," among other films. He co-starred with Craig in "Layer Cake" as well, and stars opposite Tom Hanks in the upcoming "Cloud Atlas."

http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononho ... in-skyfall

Daniel Craig on 'Quantum of Solace': "We were stuffed"
2 December 2011

The actor on his hopes for 'Skyfall'

Craig admits that ‘Quantum of Solace’ (2008) was a frustrating experience, not least because the Hollywood writers’ strike meant they ended up filming with an incomplete script. ‘We were fucked,’ he says. ‘We had the bare bones of a script and then there was the strike and there was nothing we could do. We couldn’t employ a writer to finish it. There was me trying to rewrite scenes – and a writer I am not. We were stuffed.’

In contrast, Craig says he could not be happier with the script of ‘Skyfall’, which he is filming now with Mendes until the end of next May. ‘I’m genuinely really excited because we’ve got a script. I think this one is better than “Casino Royale”. I really do. It’s a totally original story. There’s a long thought process that’s gone into it. I read it and it just works as a story.’

Craig believes that the fact that both he and Mendes are British, roughly the same age and share the same memories of growing up with Bond, has greatly helped the planning and execution of ‘Skyfall’.

‘Early on, we sat down and we just rabbited for hours about “Live and Let Die” or “From Russia With Love”, and talked about little scenes that we knew from them. That’s how we started talking about it. That’s what we have tried to instil in the script.’

http://www.timeout.com/london/feature/1 ... -interview

Welcome to 007.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viuseoj16ek