Christian Wagner To Edit Bond 21?

Editor Christian Wagner, who worked on Die Another Day, is returning for Bond 21 according to the IMDb.

While the IMDb is an unreliable source on films still in production, the timing of Wagner’s hiring is logical. Bond 21 will start lensing in just over a year indicating that the hiring process for the production staff will currently be in progress.

If accurate, the hiring of Wager may indicate that Bond 21 will feature many of the same production staff as Die Another Day – a logical move for both Eon Productions and MGM given the success of the 20th James Bond film.

Wagner, who has worked on films such as Spy Game and Mission Impossible II, caused a rift in the Bond fan community with his ‘Matrix’ style editing, particularly featured during scenes set in Iceland.

To discuss the possible hiring, visit this thread of the Bond 21 Forums. Thanks to Loomis for the tip-off.

Source: IMDb

'Bond Girls Are Forever': A Review

For author John Cork the hardest book to follow on from must have been James Bond: The Legacy. And with Maryam d’Abo as co-writer he has done that with Bond Girls Are Forever, but only to an extent. The Legacy was such a brilliant work that it is almost impossible to follow on from, especially when trying to generate the same sort of impact.

Bond Girls Are Forever

Now, it may seem unfair to compare The Legacy to Bond Girls, perhaps even unprofessional. They are, admittedly, two separate works. Yet, I couldn’t help but compare the two as soon as I picked up Bond Girls. And it isn’t just for John Cork’s name on the cover, but rather the size. The first thing you’ll notice is that this book is in the same coffee table size as Legacy, the second thing you’ll notice is that it is a lot thinner and lighter. I couldn’t help be disappointed by that difference and it seems apparent that the publishers wanted Bond Girls to evoke the memory of Legacy and it does, but not in the positive sense they had hoped for.

However, that’s not to say that the book itself is bad. Much like Legacy, there I go comparing the two again – sorry but I shan’t stop, the textual content is of a high standard. I’m not really sure who wrote what in the book, I got the feeling that d’Abo wrote a lot less of the content than Cork, but what’s written is quite interesting. While interesting facts can be found throughout, it’s the social analysis that comes across as the most appealing and unique. Bond Girls moves beyond the world of 007 to show how women as a whole were portrayed across time, using figures such as Marylin Monroe to contrast the end of the frigid fifties and the beginning of the sexually charged sixties. In drawing on wider social issues the book aids the reader, and I believe this would be particularly true of the younger one, in their understanding of the world that Ian Fleming introduced the Bond Girl too.

Sadly, the visual content is not of the same calibre as the textual content. While the pictures are produced in brilliant quality, there are too few that haven’t been seen before. The majority of the images are common, and the use of images from Greg William’s Bond On Set borders on the repetitive. Furthermore, while it is nice to see the 50’s Pan paperback artwork created by Sam Peffer reproduced in such a large format, it again harks back to the notion that these images are not new to Bond fans and as such, the reproduction of three covers across three full pages feels like overkill.

Despite the lack of photographic gems, the visual layout of Bond Girls is to be commended. The formatting and printing and both clear and crisp and this is particularly evident where large quotes have been included.

This review may have come across as far too negative as Bond Girls is still of high quality. But its replication of The Legacy in its size, and it’s lack of photographic gems sadly let it down. But at the same time, textual content is still of a high standard. It’s up to the reader to nominate what they prefer. Personally, I favour a coffee table sized book with stunning visuals.

Buy: Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

Jinx Spin-Off Still In Production?

The James Bond spin-off film is still in production, according to USA Today.

In an article on actress Halle Berry, dated November 12, the USA Today has reported that “the [James] Bond spinoff based on her Jinx character is still in development, despite reports that MGM has pulled the plug”. The reliability of such a statement is strengthened by the sources interviewing of Halle Berry, possibly indicating that she herself was the source of the news.

The spin-off film, based upon Halle Berry’s Die Another Day character Jinx, went in to production almost a year ago coinciding with the release of the 20th Bond film in 2002. However, in late October news from media source Variety revealed that MGM had pulled the plug on the project, despite the wishes of Eon Productions.

Berry is currently filming another spin-off film, this time a Catwoman spin-off from the Batman film series.

Source: USA Today

Raymond Benson's 'Face Blind' On Pre-Order

Author Raymond Benson’s next literary outing, Face Blind, is now available for pre-order.

Face Blind, a non-James Bond novel, is available from two sources. It can be pre-ordered from the novels publishers, Twenty First Century Publishers. The second source is direct from Benson’s official site, www.raymondbenson.com.

All copies purchased from Benson’s official site will be signed by the author. Face Blind is set for publication in December.

BBC Touts Incorrect Bond 21 Title

A misprint in a BBC article has caused a flurry of comments today, with some believing the article mentioned the first rumoured title for the next James Bond film, Bond 21.

The article, which discusses the film industry in India, referred to “the next James Bond film Die After Tomorrow”. The lacklustre title, Bond-esque solely for use of the words ‘die’ and ‘tomorrow’, was taken by some to be a rumoured Bond 21 title. However, one CBn Forum user has noted that the title is actually a misquote and misuse of actor Pierce Brosnan’s forthcoming film, The Day After Tomorrow.

Despite it being in the early stages, it is expected that news sources will soon start touting false titles for Bond 21. The actual title is not expected to be announced by MGM or Eon Productions until early 2005.

To discuss the title visist this thread of the Bond 21 Forums. Thanks to Loomis and MrDraco for the tip-off

Berry Furious Over Films Axing

Actress Halle Berry is reportedly furious about the decision to axe her James Bond spin-off film, Jinx.

The film was in the pre-production stages of development, being produced by Eon Productions. News source Variety revealed yesterday that film studio MGM, who would have backed and distributed the film, recently ordered Eon Productions to stop working on the spin-off, for reasons publicly unknown.

The IMDb has reported unnamed sources as saying, “Halle is absolutely furious” at the decision. The film was set to be released in 2004.

Berry is currently working on another spin-off film, this time Catwoman, a Batman spin-off movie.

'Face Blind': The New Novel From Author Raymond Benson

From the pen of Raymond Benson, author of the acclaimed original James Bond continuation novels (Zero Minus Ten, The Facts of Death, High Time to Kill, DoubleShot, Never Dream of Dying, and The Man With the Red Tattoo) and the novel Evil Hours, comes a new and edgy noir thriller.

Imagine a world where you don’t recognize the human face. That’s Hannah’s condition–prosopagnosia, or “face blindness”–when the brain center that recognizes faces is inoperable. The onset of the condition occurred when she was attacked and nearly raped by an unknown assailant in the inner lobby of her New York City apartment building. And now she thinks he’s back, and not just in her dreams.

When she also attracts the attention of a psychopathic predator and becomes the unwitting target of a Mafia drug ring, the scene is set for a thrill ride of mistaken identity, cat-and-mouse pursuit, and murder.

Face Blind is a twisting, turning tale of suspense in which every character has a dark side. The novel will keep the reader surprised and intrigued until the final violent catharsis.

Face Blind will be published in December and distributed in both the United Kingdom and the United States.

LALD Screening In LA Oct 22

Roger Moore’s first James Bond outing, Live And Let Die, will return to the big screen is Los Angeles later this month.

The screening will take place at the Directors Guild of America at 7920 Sunset Boulevard. It will be held to honor Julius Harris with benefits going to the Motion Picture and Television Fund Foundation.

The event will take place on October 22, starting at 6:00 p.m. with Refreshments & Hors d’oeuvres. The screening will take place at 7:00 p.m. and be followed at 9:00 p.m. by a panel discussion. Panelists whom have been invited are Halle Berry, Morgan Freeman, Julius Harris, Gloria Hendry, Tom Mankiewicz, Roger Moore, Jane Seymour and John Singleton. There is no word on whether any of those guests are confirmed for the panel though.

Tickets reservations are required with tickets selling at $15 for adults and $10 for students. You can find out more information at the Motion Picture and Television Fund Foundation‘s website.

Moore To Receive Knighthood Tomorrow

Former James Bond actor, Roger Moore, will be knighted by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace in Britain.

Moore was awarded the Knighthood in June of this year as a part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

The Knighthood is in recognition of his work for charity, including his work as a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF).

Sideshow Reveal Jinx and Zao Figures

Sideshow Collectibles have revealed images of their forthcoming Die Another Day figures of Halle Berry’s ‘Jinx’ and Rick Yune’s ‘Zao’, both of which are not set to be released until the March/April period of 2004.

As with past 12" Figures from Sideshow’s James Bond collection, both figures will be a limited edition, though final production quantities are yet to be decided.

The Jinx figure features the character in a costume from later in the latest James Bond film, though the colour is different to that features in the film. The figure will equipped with a belt, complete with throwing knives and their sheaths, and a silenced-Beretta pistol.

The Zao figure features the clothes he is wearing when he arrives at Gustav Graves’ Ice Palace. Sideshow are yet to reveal a picture showing if the figures cape will also feature a cowl as it did in the film. The figure will be equipped with a Stetchkin pistol and an Icarus glove.

Both figures have been sculpted by Mat Falls, who has worked on other Bond figures, and will come with a purpose-made stand featuring the Die Another Day logo. Both retail for US$40 and are available for pre-order from www.sideshowtoy.com