Casino Royale: Exclusive First Look on Bahamas Locations
Thanks to Harry Wickoff, our new man at Station B, CommanderBond.net
is able to bring you some detailed information on the shooting locations of
Casino Royale on New Providence, Bahamas. Additionally, we’re the first one to
break you actual pictures from the Bahamas set!
Shooting is about to start in a week, after completing shooting
in Prague. The Art & Stage Team Headquarters for the Bahamas crew are located in a little place called Coral Harbour (see ‘C’ on Overview Map).
Around this area, three other locations can be found: an area that has just been
cleared for the production trucks (‘D’), an abandoned resort that currently is
being transformed into a film set (‘E’) and the ‘Royal Bahamas Defence Force’.
In addition, the film crew has taken over a few undeveloped beachfront lots in
the neighbourhood.
EON sign
So here are the detailed descriptions from our man at Station B:
B – Royal Bahamas Defence Force: These guys have a
disused hotel for training on their grounds. This is now heavily fitted out with
large cranes, and a bunch of additional metal frames, about 100ft high. I am
presuming this is for backdrops or stunt stuff, but no real idea yet
C – Art & Stage Team Headquarters: This plot of land is now a production
centre for props, and houses the art and creative teams in trailers. Lots of
construction going on, lots of plants, trees, all sorts!
D – Film Crew Lot: This lot has just been levelled (it was empty, but
heavily wooded) and will be the base location point for the film crew trailers
for the duration of the Bahamas stuff (approx. 1 month)
Royal Bahamas Defence Force
E – Unused Resort: This appears to have been dressed to resemble a shanty
town type thing, lots of tin roof buildings and a large three story facade of a
building looking out to the ocean
What exactly is going to be filmed in the described spots we yet
have to find out. CBn, however, can provide you with three pictures taken near
the sets: two shots of the little ‘direction’ signs put up by EON Productions,
one which identifies Coral Harbour, and one of the sign on the gate of the mini
resort they are using as a set.
If you have a second look at the overview map, you’ll notice
location ‘A’ – Albany House. According to
Bahamas News,
Albany House is going to feature in Casino Royale. "We are excited to showcase
the property in the upcoming movie, and participate in an event which will again
bring international acclaim to islands of the Bahamas," Jason Callender,
director of the development company said.
Abandoned Resort
Affectionately known as the "house with the long pink wall",
Albany House has attracted a great deal of attention over the past few months as
the new owners Tiger Woods, Ernie Els and the Tavistock Group (owned by Lyford
Cay resident Joe Lewis) gear up to develop an ultra-luxurious and exclusive
residential community. Although representatives of the property would not
comment on their guests, it is rumoured that the estate has been host to
celebrities such as Bono of U2, John Travolta and Celine Dion.
The Albany House was built in the spirit of the Bahamian Great
Houses of the last century. It is situated in the southwestern quarter of New
Providence – the capital island – and lies to the west of 77 acres of land with
3000 feet of beautiful and exclusive sand beach. Looking out over a shallow sea
which varies in colour from transparent blue to turquoise, with its own tranquil
and private beach.
Albany House
According to our own Harry Wickoff, it is not sure
whether the house will be used as accomodation or shooting location – "its
certainly large enough to accommodate both."
More pictures of the locations can be found in the
CBn Image Gallery!
Casino Royale is the 21st James Bond film produced
by franchise holders Eon Productions. The MGM/Columbia Pictures production
began shooting in January and is due for release worldwide on 17 November 2006.
Starring Daniel Craig as James Bond, it is currently being filmed in the Czech Republic,
the Bahamas, Italy and the UK.