007 Stage fire court case continues

A brief update from the Telegraph today on the fire that destroyed Pinewood Studios’ world-famous 007 Stage in July 2006.

The ‘007 Stage’ ablaze at Pinewood Studios

The blaze was allegedly caused by oxyacetylene torches used to dismantle water tanks used during the filming of Casino Royale‘s Venice-set finale. The stage burnt down shortly after shooting of the movie wrapped.

The fire has resulted in an ongoing legal battle between Pinewood Studios and Casino Royale Productions. Pinewood claims the fire caused over £8 million worth of damage.

Defence court papers obtained by the Telegraph state, “It is denied that this work was actually carried out by Casino Royale [Productions]. Casino Royale had engaged First Imperial Services to dismantle the set … First Imperial had subcontracted the dismantling … to J Male & Son, who had in turn subcontracted the work to Downton Structures. It was Downton that was actually carrying out the cutting work.”

As a result of the blaze, the stage was completely demolished in August 2006 and rebuilt in 2007 in time for production to begin on Quantum of Solace.

The court case continues.

The 007 Stage previously burnt down in 1984 during filming of Ridley Scott’s Legend. The stage was rebuilt by January 1985, just in time for shooting to commence on A View to a Kill. The stage was renamed the Albert R. Broccoli 007 Stage in honour of the James Bond producer’s contribution to Pinewood Studios and the British film industry as a whole.

Keep watching CommanderBond.net for the latest James Bond news.

Activision reveals reasoning behind GoldenEye's Nintendo exclusivity

While reaction to last week’s E3 announcement of Activision’s GoldenEye remake has been mostly positive, one of the few thumbs-down given to the James Bond revival is its exclusivity to Nintendo’s Wii and DS platforms.

GoldenEye on Nintendo Wii

It didn’t taken long for VideoGamer.com to take the question to Brian Pass, one of Activision’s senior producers.

“There are a number of different reasons,” Pass explained. “One’s we have a partnership with Nintendo. It’s a great opportunity. This game was originally on the N64, so there’s the nostalgia factor for people that are Nintendo fans. So we wanted to partner with Nintendo for this.”

Pass continued, “The opportunity on the Nintendo Wii platform is huge. There’s roughly 12 million Wiis in North America. But it’s not really a console that a lot of shooter fans are playing on. So we wanted to offer them their own first-person shooter, that’s unique and exclusive to that console.”

“It belongs to the platform that it should be on, which is Nintendo.” – Eurocom primary producer Dawn Pinkney

The producer explained that the Wii remote and nunchuck controller has left first-person shooter fans cold, which is why GoldenEye will offer support for the Wii’s Classic Pro Controller.

“They don’t like using the pointing device,” Pass said. “Now they’ve got the Classic Pro Controller. This is dual analogue stick. It’s got the exact same layout you find on PS3 or 360.”

“You put this in a shooter fan’s hands and they instantly know how to play. We feel that the opportunity and the time is right. And partnering with Nintendo is a huge opportunity for us. We really want to tap in to the nostalgia for Nintendo fans, and take advantage of the opportunity presented by the platform.”

Eurocom’s Dawn Pinkney described it as unlikely that Activision’s GoldenEye would find its way to other consoles. “It belongs to the platform that it should be on, which is Nintendo.”

Activision’s GoldenEye will be released on Nintendo Wii this November.

Stay tuned to CommanderBond.net for all the latest news on Activision’s GoldenEye.

Pre-order GoldenEye for Nintendo Wii and DS

GoldenEye on Nintendo Wii

Eager to get your hands on Activision’s revamped GoldenEye? James Bond fans can now pre-order the Nintendo Wii and DS versions of the game from Amazon.com.

GoldenEye on Nintendo DS

• Order GoldenEye for Nintendo Wii
• Order GoldenEye for Nintendo DS

The Wii version will retail for US$49.99, while the DS edition will sell for US$39.99. Both versions will hit shelves on 2 November 2010.

UK pre-order details are forthcoming.

Speaking of the DS game, while an announcement at E3 was noticeably absent, developers n-Space revealed on their Facebook page that news of the DS version will emerge next week. n-Space worked on a number of Call of Duty games for the DS console.

Eurocom is developing GoldenEye for the Wii.

Meanwhile, Activision has launched an official Facebook page and Twitter feed (@goldeneyegame) for GoldenEye. Both will keep you up-to-date on the latest GoldenEye news.

Stay tuned to CommanderBond.net for all the latest James Bond gaming news.

David Arnold to score Activision's GoldenEye

Activision are pulling out all the stops to ensure their recently-announced re-imagining of the classic James Bond game GoldenEye lives up to the hype.

GoldenEye on Nintendo Wii

Several gaming sites – including ComputerAndVideoGames.com and Pocket-lint – are reporting that veteran 007 composer David Arnold will provide the soundtrack to the game. Arnold is the composer behind every James Bond score since 1997’s Tomorrow Never Dies.

GoldenEye will mark Arnold’s first James Bond video game score. The composer will follow in the footsteps of Christopher Lennertz (From Russia with Love and Quantum of Solace), Sean Callery (Everything or Nothing) and Paul Oakenfold (GoldenEye: Rogue Agent).

The original GoldenEye featured a soundtrack by Grant Kirkhope, Graeme Norgate and Robin Beanland and was inspired by Eric Serra’s soundtrack to the film GoldenEye.

Arnold joins fellow 007 alumni Daniel Craig and Dame Judi Dench, as well as screenwriter Bruce Feirstein (the writer behind the films GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies and The World is not Enough and the games Everything or Nothing and From Russia with Love).

What may be a sample of David Arnold’s GoldenEye score can be heard on the official website for the game, goldeneyegame.com.

Pocket-lint also reports that set designers from the Bond film series are also working on the game.

Meanwhile, the official Nintendo Magazine features Activision’s GoldenEye as its cover story this issue. The magazine features exclusive interviews and screenshots from the game.

Activision’s GoldenEye will be released on Nintendo Wii this November.

Stay tuned to CommanderBond.net for all the latest news on Activision’s GoldenEye.

Activision unveils GoldenEye

Activision has officially announced its remake of 1997’s bestselling James Bond game, GoldenEye on Nintendo Wii.

Activision’s GoldenEye is written by Bruce Feirstein, the scripter behind the films GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies and The World is not Enough, as well as EA’s Everything or Nothing and From Russia with Love. This re-imagined GoldenEye will see Daniel Craig step into Pierce Brosnan’s shoes as agent 007. Dame Judi Dench will also star.

A website for the game, featuring a trailer, screenshots and concept art, has launched at goldeneyegame.com. The site features the Nintendo DS logo, indicating another version of the game is yet to be announced.

The full press release follows.

Activision Unveils New GoldenEye 007 for Wii at 2010 Electronic Entertainment Exposition

SANTA MONICA, Calif., June 15, 2010 — With eight million copies sold and a legion of passionate fans worldwide, the Nintendo 64 version of GoldenEye defined multiplayer gaming for a generation of gamers in 1997.

Now, a new take on the legendary James Bond adventure arrives with Activision Publishing’s (Nasdaq: ATVI) all-new GoldenEye 007, which was unveiled at Nintendo’s press briefing, held today during the Electronic Entertainment Exposition (E3) in Los Angeles.

Developed exclusively for Wii and based on the GoldeneEye film, GoldenEye 007 gives players the chance to use the lethal, gritty style of Daniel Craig’s James Bond to outwit, outmaneuver and overtake an arms syndicate that threatens the world in an innovative, modern take on the legendary GoldenEye movie adventure. The game, which is slated for release this holiday season, is playable in Nintendo’s booth in the West Hall, #5407.

“GoldenEye for the N64 was one of the most acclaimed games and fans regularly cite it as one of the most influential and important titles in history,” said David Pokress, Head of Marketing for Licensed Properties, Activision Publishing. “We’re thrilled to bring the new GoldenEye 007 to gamers around the world as an all-new adventure that seamlessly integrates nostalgic GoldenEye movie moments with innovative FPS gameplay and unique multiplayer action that is unrivaled on the platform.”

GoldenEye 007 features an unprecedented lineup of four-player split-screen MP options that encourage social gaming, including 40 total characters, 8 classic Bond characters, 5 maps, 3 standard modes and 16 special modifiers that allow gamers to create hundreds of game combinations. GoldenEye 007 also features online multiplayer for up to 8 players designed for seasoned FPS online gamers with unique modes and a robust XP system for unlockables and achievements. GoldenEye 007 also supports the Classic Controller Pro for gamers who want to play with standard FPS controls and the Wii Zapper for “point and shoot” gamers; players will have several control scheme options, allowing them to experience GoldenEye 007 on Wii any way they want.

The GoldenEye 007 video game is developed by Eurocom under license from EON Productions Ltd and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM). For more information about the game, visit www.goldeneyegame.com.

Early previews of the game sound promising. IGN claim it’s “easily one of the more promising third party Wii games at the show” at E3.

Activision’s GoldenEye will be released on Nintendo Wii this November.

Stay tuned to CommanderBond.net for more details of Activision’s GoldenEye throughout E3.

Martin Campbell remains open to 007 comeback

While Sam Mendes remains committed to directing the 23rd James Bond film, one man has no plans to return to the 007 series in the near future.

Martin Campbell

In an interview with the Indo-Asian News Service, director Martin Campbell has ruled out an imminent return to the franchise he has twice revitalised.

“First of all it was a delight to work on both the Bond movies and quite an experience to work with both Pierce and Daniel,” the director of GoldenEye and Casino Royale told the website. “As of now I have no plan to direct a Bond film. I think I am done with it for now. But then never say never, one doesn’t know what one does in future.”

“Pierce and Daniel both brought the essence of James Bond and that is what a filmmaker wants at the end of the day.” – Martin Campbell

Campbell was quick to praise the strengths of both Bond actors he has directed and is reluctant to choose a favourite. “Pierce and Daniel both brought the essence of James Bond and that is what a filmmaker wants at the end of the day. It would be unfair on my part to compare the two. The fact that Daniel’s both Bond movies were a hit is enough to say he knows his job well.”

Campbell has previously backed Sam Mendes in helming Bond 23. “Sam will do a splendid job,” the director told Time Out earlier this year.

Martin Campbell is currently directing comic book adaptation Green Lantern for release in 2011.

Keep watching CommanderBond.net for the latest James Bond news.

GoldenEye returns!

After years of speculation, it’s here: Activision are remaking GoldenEye exclusively for the Nintendo Wii.

Full details are forthcoming, but they appear to be consistent with reports that surfaced last week.

GoldenEye for Nintendo 64 was a game that defined a genre. Now, after 13 years of gaming innovation, the legend is re-imagined. Developed from the ground up for the Wii, GoldenEye takes advantage of the latest technology to deliver the same intense experience with today’s graphics and physics. Play a modernized version of the classic story with the new Bond (Daniel Craig), more lethal and cunning than ever as you take on missions around the world. Relive all the legendary moments from the original game; St Petersburg, the Caribbean and numerous other levels. Leverage the classic arsenal of weapons and gadgets as you fight Onatopp, Trevelyan and their adversaries, from the classic PP7 to the high tech assault rifle, sniper rifles and even the tank. The enhanced multiplayer experience offers 4 player splitscreen like the original and introduces 8-player online matches. GoldenEye is 13 years better, are you?

The game is reportedly being developed by Eurocom and n-Space for release in November 2010.

A trailer for the game, leaked prior to the game’s announcement at E3, is currently available to view below, but may disappear before long.

The trailer shows Daniel Craig in action in a range of re-imagined scenes from the 1997 bestseller. Classic moments from the Nintendo 64 shooter, including the opening dam bungee jump and the St Petersburg tank chase have been faithfully recreated.

Activision will also deliver on the multiplayer mode that cemented the original GoldenEye‘s legacy – players will be able to choose between split-screen and online multiplayer options. The trailer promises the game will feature at least eight playable classic characters, including Jaws, Oddjob and Scaramanga, along with 16 special game modes, including Paintball, Melee only and You only live twice.

Earlier reports that a DS version of the game would also be available have not been confirmed.

Still no word on Activision’s other Bond-related game – Bloodstone – rumoured to be in development alongside GoldenEye.

Stay tuned to CommanderBond.net for more details of Activision’s GoldenEye throughout E3.

Jeffery Deaver teases Bond fans on US tour stops

Several of CommanderBond.net’s forum members have caught up with new James Bond continuation novelist Jeffery Deaver during his US tour to promote his newest thriller, The Burning Wire.

Jeffery Deaver

Hot on the heels of Deaver’s first Project X revelations, our spies are reporting that the author graciously, though guardedly, answered a number of questions about the mysterious 007 novel.

Forum member “godwulf” attended Deaver’s Scottsdale, Arizona appearance, where the author stated his James Bond will be a sprightly 28-years-old in Project X, a reboot of the literary 007 in which the events of Fleming’s original books never happened; a sort of Casino Royale-style re-imagining.

According to the author, his outline for the novel currently stands at 180 pages and is accompanied by several thousand pages of research. Deaver also stated Project X would be “a ticking clock novel”, one of the author’s trademarks.

Meanwhile, forum member “jwheels” caught up with Deaver in Seattle, Washington where the novelist revealed he’ll begin writing Project X very soon. Like in Casino Royale, Deaver’s Bond will be a former military operative who has recently joined the 00-section.

Deaver also revealed he is only signed on for a single novel and that the literary Bond reigns will be handed to other authors after Project X. However, he is laying down the foundations of this new Bond universe, and may well return at some point in the future to pen another 007 outing.

These revelations seem to indicate Project X will be one of the boldest moves ever undertaken by Ian Fleming Publications.

James Bond fans hoping to catch up with Deaver in the US this June, or the UK in July, can check out a full list of tour dates at JefferyDeaver.com.

Project X – working title only – will be published on 28 May 2011 by Hodder & Stoughton in the UK and Simon & Schuster in the US.

Keep watching CommanderBond.net for the latest literary James Bond news.

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Jeffery Deaver offers up first Project X revelations

How old is James Bond in Project X? Will “M” be a man or a woman? Will Bond smoke? Which 007 regulars will make an appearance?

Jeffery Deaver

Literary James Bond fans can find the answers to all these questions and more – including a bombshell about a Bond regular who will be replaced – in an exclusive video interview with Project X author Jeffery Deaver over at Dr Shatterhand’s Botanical Garden.

A warning for fans who want to head into Project X completely spoiler-free: Deaver may be a bit too revelatory for your liking. Proceed with caution.

The revealing interview, filmed during one of Deaver’s book tour appearances, offers up a surprising number of answers about the mystery project, including the fact that the book will be “a reboot”, and the first in a series of novels by various authors.

Check out the video over at Dr Shatterhand’s Botanical Garden for more juicy titbits about this exciting new book.

Dr Shatterhand also caught up with Young Bond novelist Charlie Higson, who recently completed his US tour, for another video interview. Here, the bestselling author discusses his first brush with Bond and talks about his dream job.

Keep watching CommanderBond.net for the latest literary James Bond news.

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GoldenEye remake rumours resurface

It’s the James Bond gaming rumour that refuses to die.

Eurogamer claims Activision are on the brink of announcing a remake of the classic first-person shooter GoldenEye for Nintendo Wii and DS.

The company will reportedly make an announcement at this year’s E3 expo, to be held 15-17 June 2010. The site claims the game is being developed by Eurocom and n-Space and would hit shelves in November this year. Eurocom have previously worked on a number of 007 titles, including The World is Not Enough, NightFire, Quantum of Solace and even James Bond Jr., released on NES and SNES in 1991.

Eurogamer’s report comes several days after GoNintendo was the recipient of an anonymous tip-off about an Activision survey apparently doing the rounds. The survey seems to indicate some kind of revival of the classic 007 shooter is in the works.

GoldenEye for Nintendo 64 was a game that defined a genre. Now, after 13 years of gaming innovation, the legend is re-imagined. Developed from the ground up for the Wii, GoldenEye takes advantage of the latest technology to deliver the same intense experience with today’s graphics and physics. Play a modernized version of the classic story with the new Bond (Daniel Craig), more lethal and cunning than ever as you take on missions around the world. Relive all the legendary moments from the original game; St Petersburg, the Caribbean and numerous other levels. Leverage the classic arsenal of weapons and gadgets as you fight Onatopp, Trevelyan and their adversaries, from the classic PP7 to the high tech assault rifle, sniper rifles and even the tank. The enhanced multiplayer experience offers 4 player splitscreen like the original and introduces 8-player online matches. GoldenEye is 13 years better, are you?

Along with this snippet are a series of artwork mockups, including a gold Wii controller shell and what appears to be box art mockups.

While these reports are yet to be confirmed, they are consistent with news that emerged in April that Activision had purchased the goldeneyegame.com domain name, along with a domain name for its other James Bond project, Bloodstone.

Original GoldenEye developers Rare, who turned 25 this week, have confirmed to SPOnG that they are not involved with any GoldenEye revival.

With E3 just around the corner, the truth will soon out about Activision’s potential GoldenEye plans.

As always, keep your browsers locked on the CommanderBond.net main page for all the latest 007 news.