IGN Turns Up a 'Royale' Scoop

*** WARNING: ARTICLE CONTAINS SPOILERS ***

The reliable Stax over at IGN Filmforce has today scored a major scoop; a list of all the major characters in Casino Royale, along with casting requirements and status.

• Vesper – Late 20s to 30s, must be gorgeous. A Sienna Miller “type.” The most dramatic Bond girl yet.
• Main villain – Late twenties to mid-thirties. The filmmakers are said to be close to sealing a deal with an unnamed European actor. (This is presumably Le Chiffre, although IGN’s sources do not mention him by name.)
• Villain’s girlfriend – She must be sexy and dangerous. The filmmakers are understood to be seeking a name actress or a pop star.
• American CIA agent – Somewhere between 30 and 40 years old. Filmmakers are considering name actors. (Felix Leiter perhaps?)
• Solari – A commander in the Sudanese rebel army between 40 and 50 years old. Pop-star Seal has been linked to the role.
• Demetrius – A reckless Mediterranean in his forties. Sleazy sort who lives the high life as a gambler and money launderer.
• Solonge – Thirty-something spouse of Demetrius. European who shares her husband’s taste for the high life.
• Massus – Mediterranean heritage, pushing sixty. (Presumably based on the character of Mathis from the novel renamed to reflect the change of locale.)

Despite being only weeks away from shooting, Stax reports that all these roles have yet to be cast.

Head on over to IGN to read the entire article.

Casino Royale is the 21st James Bond film produced by franchise holders Eon Productions. The MGM/Columbia Pictures production begins shooting in January and is due for release worldwide on 17 November 2006. Starring Daniel Craig as James Bond, it will be filmed in the Czech Republic, the Bahamas, Italy and the UK.

Discuss this story at this thread of the CBn forums.

Wanted: One Bond Girl

Variety today reports on the casting crisis facing the producers of the new James Bond flick, Casino Royale.

The new James Bond, Daniel Craig

Just as casting for the new 007 went down to the wire, it seems a similar situation is arising for the rest of the film’s stars.

Variety claims “most of the cast has not been set”, including the part of Bond Girl Vesper Lynd, whom director Martin Campbell has said shares a “genuinely deeper relationship” with 007.

The trade paper reveals that four new actresses are reading for the part in London this week, opposite new Bond, Daniel Craig (who, along with Dame Judi Dench, are the only signed cast members). A final decision is hoped for by the end of next week.

With a production start date of 30 January looming fast, and Sony pinning its hopes on its first Bond pic being a success, the pressure is on.

On a related note, CBn has received word that shooting in the Czech city of Karlovy Vary is not to start before mid-May. Yesterday, British tabloids reported that Casino Royale is due to start shooting in the Bahamas at the end of this month.

Casino Royale is the 21st James Bond film produced by franchise holders Eon Productions. The MGM/Columbia Pictures production begins shooting in January and is due for release worldwide on 17 November 2006. Starring Daniel Craig as James Bond, it will be filmed in the Czech Republic, the Bahamas, Italy and the UK.

Share your thoughts on the Vesper casting situation in this thread on the CBn Forums, the largest James Bond forum on the internet.

First 'Casino Royale' Teaser Poster Coming Soon

Big news today for Bond fans looking forward to the first Casino Royale one-sheet. CBn has received a reliable tip that Sony is planning on releasing the first official Casino Royale teaser poster near the end of January!

Daniel Criag as 007

This is a remarkably early release for a James Bond teaser. Typically, 007 fans have had to wait until summer for their first look at an official image. But not this time.

It appears the new marketing muscle at Sony Pictures Entertainment are looking to firmly establish the new James Bond film as a major movie event of 2006 by getting the word out even before cameras start to roll. 2006 also sees the release of Mission: Impossible 3, Superman Returns, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest and X-Men 3, all of which currently have teaser posters in circulation.

A James Bond film hasn’t had a teaser poster appear this early since 1978 when Eon released a Moonraker teaser a full year in advance of the film’s release (the now highly collectible “Blasting Off Next Summer” Advance 1-sheet). This was partially due to the fact that the title of the film had changed from what was promised at the end of The Spy Who Loved Me, which said Bond would return in For Your Eyes Only.

To discuss this news visit this thread on the CBn Forums, the largest James Bond forum on the net.

Casino Royale is the 21st James Bond film produced by franchise holders Eon Productions. The MGM/Columbia Pictures production begins shooting in January and is due for release worldwide on 17 November 2006. Starring Daniel Craig as James Bond, it will be filmed in the Czech Republic, the Bahamas, Italy and the UK.

A First Look at Bond's New Wheels

CBn was invited back to Club Aston this month for a special viewing of the Aston Martin V8 Vantage. The V8 Vantage is reportedly going to be the new James Bond car in Casino Royale (2006).

Do you think Daniel Craig can handle this baby?

Click here to view the CBn V8 Vantage Gallery

The V8 Vantage is a hand-crafted sports car that offers electrifying performance and outstanding agility. The most affordable of all Aston Martins, it fuses traditional Aston Martin style and everyday usability. The result is the world’s most desirable sports car.

To discuss the V8 Vantage visit this thread on the CBn Forums.
Pictures by & copyright Athena Stamos.

The Kaiserbad – Casino Found?

Mühlbrunnkolonnade

Today, German regional paper "Mitteldeutsche
Zeitung" (produced in Halle/Saale, near the Czech border) reports some
interesting tidbits about filming Casino Royale in the Czech Republic.

As CBn
revealed back in October, filming will mostly take place in the Spa town of
Karlovy Vary. The article of "Mitteldeutsche Zeitung" now confirms this, quoting
a spokesman for the Czech town. Additionally it is said that shooting will not
exclusively take place in Karlovy Vary, but also in the neighbouring town of
Loket and in the nearby town of Plana.

Location scouts have visted the hospital at Plana and found the operation
rooms to be very appropriate, as liquidator Jan Spelina confirmed. The hospital
had to be closed three years ago because of high debts. Shooting could bring in
as much as 700 Euros a day. The city council’s speaker Michaela Mertlova says:
"I heard of negotiations, but nothing is set in stone. It’s an interesting
possibility to make Plana better known and attract tourists. But – Bond or not –
rather than being used as a movie location, I would prefer to see the building
used for what it was originally intended: a hospital."

Wihle the newspaper then goes on and confirms what CBn revealed in a spoiler
report back in October (see
here), "reports
about Seal playing a henchman could not be confirmed in Prague".

The Kaiserbad – Casino Royale?

Shooting itself in Karlovy Vary has been confirmed to the "Mitteldeutsche
Zeitung" to take place at the "Mühlbrunnkolonnade" (see picture) and at the
historic "Kaiserbad", (see picture) which very much looks like a casino. The
city will be paid about a 1000 Euros a day, and it is a part of the contract
that the name of Karlovy Vary has to be mentioned in the worldwide marketing
campaign. Still, it is not known if the town of Karlovy Vary will double for
another location or if the actual action takes place in the Czech Republic.

Casino Royale is the 21st James Bond film produced
by franchise holders Eon Productions. The MGM/Columbia Pictures production
begins shooting in January and is due for release worldwide on 17 November 2006.
Starring Daniel Craig as James Bond, it will be filmed in the Czech Republic,
the Bahamas, Italy and the UK.

Discuss this news in this thread on the CBn Forums, the largest James Bond forum on the internet. Many many thanks to our own Heiko Baumann for the great finding!

Daniel Craig Dishes the Dirt on 'Casino'

Newly-minted James Bond, Daniel Craig has been exceptionally quiet about his appointment to Her Majesty’s Secret Service.

But with his latest film, Steven Spielberg’s Munich, on its way to cinemas worldwide, 007 will no doubt be the numbers on everyone’s lips when it comes to Craig.

The new James Bond, Daniel Craig

Getting the ball rolling is MTV, who have today quizzed Craig on what we can expect from the new Bond flick, Casino Royale.

“It’s going to be very different from anything else,” Craig said. “It will have certain elements that will make it a Bond movie.”

“[Screenwriter] Paul Haggis has done a rewrite of the script and has written great dialogue. The lead girl part is fantastic, the characters are all fantastic. It’s a Bond film. We’re making a Bond movie first and foremost.”

The 37-year-old actor commented that the film, which will be set in the present day, will naturally update Ian Fleming’s original novel (published in 1953). Furthermore, the actor reiterated the controversial “Bond Begins” approach will, indeed, be taken for Casino Royale.

“There’s a lot of similarities with the book but yes, of course it’s been updated. It has to be. It’s a suspension of disbelief that we’re renewing Bond, and that this is the first time you see him.”

The actor is also aware of the pressure he is facing now that he has landed the part of the world’s most famous secret agent.

“Yes, I could fail miserably, but maybe I can do something that’s different and make the franchise last another 30 years – as opposed to another three.”

Casino Royale is the 21st James Bond film produced by franchise holders Eon Productions. The MGM/Columbia Pictures production begins shooting in January and is due for release worldwide on 17 November 2006. Starring Daniel Craig as James Bond, it will be filmed in the Czech Republic, the Bahamas, Italy and the UK.

To discuss this article visit this thread on the CBn Forums.

Co-Producing 'Casino'

With James Bond set to pack his bags and head abroad for filming of the 21st 007 pic, Casino Royale, Eon Productions will enlist the aid of Stillking Films in the Czech Republic.

Barrandov Studios

For Casino Royale, the company will assist with local production, particularly in Prague, where the film will be shot in Barrandov Studios (most recently, the 74-year-old studios have played host to The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (starring Sean Connery), Van Helsing and xXx). Other Czech filming is scheduled to take place in the countryside and in the spa town of Karlovy Vary.

Established in 1993, the company has offices in six cities worldwide, producing, co-producing and financing feature films and television series’. Stillking also produces commercials and music videos.

Stillking Films bear an impressive cinematic resumé, having co-produced numerous blockbuster films that have been shot in the Czech Republic, an increasingly popular location to shoot pictures. Over the past few years, the company have worked on The Bourne Identity, xXx, Alien vs. Predator, Van Helsing, Doom and current hit, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. Their involvement in Casino Royale was first announced in October.

The spa town of Karlovy Vary will play a role in ‘Casino Royale’

Stillking’s Matthew Stillman and David Minkowski will serve as local co-producers on Casino Royale (the duo have received co-producer credits on most of the aforesaid films; the occasionally reliable IMDb anticipates they will be credited likewise for their work on Casino Royale).

Shooting is expected to take six months, beginning in January 2006. An announcement concerning casting for the film is anticipated next month.

Casino Royale is the 21st James Bond film produced by franchise holders Eon Productions. The MGM/Columbia Pictures production begins shooting in January and is due for release worldwide on 17 November 2006. Starring Daniel Craig as James Bond, it will be filmed in the Czech Republic, the Bahamas, Italy and the UK.

Discuss this news in this thread on the CBn Forums, the largest James Bond forum on the internet.
Thanks to CBn Forum Member Welcome to the Casino Royale.

Daniel Craig's Agent Shuffle

Craig, Daniel Craig

Before signing on to the 007 role, Daniel Craig was represented in the US by WMA (William Morris Agency) but he left the agency early this year.

During the time Craig was looking for new representation in the US the deal was made for him to be the new James Bond. Suspicion was that the timing of his exit from WMA was not coincidental as he did not pay commissions on his rich Bond deal to any Hollywood agency.

He didn’t drop his agent in the UK though, ICM (International Creative Management). And now just last week Craig signed with what is considered the largest and most powerful Hollywood talent agency, CAA (Creative Arts Agency).

To discuss this article visit this thread on the CBn Forums.

Seal Lined Up to Play Henchman?

Seal

English pop singer Sealhenry Olumide Samuel, better known as Seal ("Love’s
divine"), is to join the cast for Casino Royale, "News of the World" reports.
According to the British paper, the husband of German super model Heidi Klum is
going to play a henchman called "Solari".

What this news makes interesting is the fact that it is said that Seal is
going to play an African money launderer. As
revealed
earlier by CBn, the subject of money-laundering is in fact a key element of
the plot of Casino Royale: As in the novel, money won and lost at the gambling
tables will have deadly implications for the Western world. Interesting, too, is the fact that Casino Royale was originally supposed to be shot in South Africa.

German tabloid "BILD", who picked up the story earlier today, quotes an
insider: "Seal has auditioned several times for this film and everyone was
delighted!" BILD also did a very clever thing (well, for a tabloid, that is) by asking
Eon Productions if there was something to the rumour. A spokesperson said that "We
can’t comment yet".

Born February 19, 1963, In London, England, Seal worked as designer of
leather clothing and as an electrical engineer, before he became a pop singer in
the late 1980s. He has received several Brit Awards and Grammy nominations.

Casino Royale is the 21st James Bond film produced
by franchise holders Eon Productions. The MGM/Columbia Pictures production
begins shooting in January and is due for release worldwide on 17 November 2006.
Starring Daniel Craig as James Bond, it will be filmed in the Czech Republic,
the Bahamas, Italy and the UK.

Seal as a henchman? Discuss this news in this thread on the CBn Forums, the largest James Bond forum on the internet.

Dame Judi Dench Discusses 'Royale' Reprisal

In an interview with About.com, Dame Judi Dench has once again confirmed she will reprise her role as “M” in the upcoming James Bond film, Casino Royale, but is yet to meet with director Martin Campbell.

Dame Judi Dench

“I haven’t seen Martin since we did GoldenEye,” she said. “I haven’t seen him. I haven’t seen him lately, just been told I’m going to do it. And he’ll tell me how to do it.”

Asked why, earlier this year, she firmly asserted that Pierce Brosnan would return to the role, Dench went coy, revealing she had read about it in the media.

“I’m not allowed to say that because I said that last time and I got into deep trouble just because I read it in a paper. I was in terrible trouble when I went home.”

Nonetheless, the actress is excited to be starring in the upcoming film, opposite new 007, Daniel Craig. “I’m not [surprised they chose Daniel Craig as the new James Bond] … I’m absolutely thrilled for him.”

And what of her future in the role? “Well, it can’t be indefinite. She’d drop off. I’m surprised I’m in this one. But she’d drop off, poor old thing.”

Casino Royale begins production next month for a November 2006 release.

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