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  1. Casino Royale to Wrap Czech Republic Shooting in Late May

    By Athena Stamos on 2006-04-11

    WARNING: POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD

    Screen International reports that Director Martin Campbell is scheduled to conclude shooting scenes for Casino Royale in the Czech Republic at the end of May. The final shots will take place in Czech spa town Karlovy Vary, which will double as Montenegro.

    Karlovy Vary

    The spa town of Karlovy Vary will will double as Montenegro in Casino Royale

    Bond franchise holders EON Productions are working with MGM and Columbia Pictures on the film, which started shooting January 30.

    MGM executives toured the set of Casino Royale in Prague on April 6. In town to promote the planned launch of the MGM Channel in central Europe, MGM chairman and CEO Harry Sloan, COO Rick Sands, MGM Networks executive VP Bruce Tuchman and others toured Barrandov Studios sound stages where Campbell was filming a critical gambling scene between James Bond, played by Daniel Craig, and villain Le Chiffre, played by Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen.

    Although Bond and Le Chiffre play baccarat in Ian Fleming’s 1953 novel, the game will be Texas Hold ‘Em poker in the 21st Bond film [First revealed on Commanderbond.net in Sept. ’05].

    Casino Royale‘s filming in the Bahamas wrapped April 5. The Caribbean location stands in for Madagascar, where Casino Royale begins with Bond chasing down and apparently killing a villain.

    From Prague, filming will move to Venice for exteriors for five days, after which it returns to Pinewood Studios in the UK. The climactic action scenes will make use of the water tank on Pinewood’s 007 stage. The existing tank is being made deeper for Casino Royale, growing from a current depth of 8 feet to 20 feet.

    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.

    SOURCE: Article by Theodore Schwinke, Screen International, April 10, 2006.