Today, Eon Productions, MGM and Sony Pictures Entertainment announced that Bond 22 will be released on 2 May 2008. This announcement shuts down the rumour of a 2007 release which would not only have been a great year to market a 007 film but it would have also celebrated the 45th anniversary of the first James Bond film produced by Eon Productions, Dr. No.

COLUMBIA PICTURES AND MGM ANNOUNCE MAY 2, 2008 RELEASE DATE FOR 22ND JAMES BOND ADVENTURE STARRING DANIEL CRAIG

CULVER CITY, Calif., July 20 /PRNewswire/ — It was announced today by producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. and Sony Pictures Entertainment, that the 22nd James Bond adventure will be released by Columbia Pictures on May 2, 2008 with Daniel Craig reprising the role of the legendary British secret agent.

The story for the latest James Bond film produced by the franchise holders, EON Productions has yet to be announced. “As we wrap production on CASINO ROYALE we couldn’t be more excited about the direction the franchise is heading with Daniel Craig. Daniel has taken the origins of Ian Fleming’s James Bond portraying, with emotional complexity, a darker and edgier 007,” said Wilson and Broccoli.

Official Press Release from EON PRODUCTIONS LTD, MGM and SONY

This announcement is not the only Bond 22 news this month. A few days ago, CBn reported that Roger Michell is in negotiations to direct the follow-up to Casino Royale. There is also a rumour in the Superhero Hype! forums that the working title for Bond 22 is Risico which is the title of a short story in Ian Fleming’s For Your Eyes Only.

Discuss this news in this thread on the CBn Forums, the largest James Bond 007 forum on the Internet.