Bond 21 is 'Casino Royale'

First reported as a rumour on the message boards at Absolutely James Bond, CBn is now hearing from multiple independent sources close to the production that the current draft of Bond 21 by Neal Purvis and Robert Wade is based on Ian Fleming’s first James Bond novel, Casino Royale.

Whether or not the film will be called Casino Royale is still not known. Purvis and Wade last used the Ian Fleming novel Moonraker as the basis for Die Another Day.

Casino Royale was first published in 1953. A year later it was adapted as a one-hour TV teleplay by CBS with American Barry Nelson playing the screen’s first 007. Because Fleming had already sold the film rights to his first novel, Casino Royale was not part of the 1961 Cubby Broccoli/Harry Saltzman film rights purchase deal that was the foundation of the James Bond/Eon Productions franchise. The rights passed from hand to hand until Charles K. Feldman announced he’d produce a rival Bond film to the Eon series. But this was at the height of Bondamania, and Feldman decided he couldn’t compete with Sean Connery, so in 1967 he and Columbia Pictures turned Casino Royale into a farce comedy starring David Niven and Peter Sellers. (Kaleidoscope, an excellent thriller made in 1966, used plot elements so strikingly similar to Casino Royale that it could almost be called an unofficial adaptation.)

Fast forward to the late 1990s when Sony (who acquired the Casino rights when they purchased Columbia Pictures) locked horns with MGM over disputed rights to the Bond film Thunderball. The settlement in favour of MGM not only returned the Thunderball rights to Eon, but Sony also surrendered their long-held rights to Casino Royale. This cleared the way for Eon to finally adapt the first Ian Fleming James Bond novel, and it looks like this is exactly what they are doing now.

Set entirely in Royale-les-Eaux, a resort village in N.E. France, Casino Royale is a rather small scale Bond novel. No doubt the plot and scope will be expanded by Purvis and Wade. While Prague has been reported as a possible Bond 21 location, CBn has learned these Prague rumours may prove to be false. But a Bond Girl named Vesper Lynd and a villain named Le Chiffre are distinct possibilities.

While Eon is said to have a director in mind and would like to get production rolling on Bond 21/Casino Royale, the sale of MGM is complicating the situation. Apparently, little can go forward until the studio is sold, and if they can’t start production by January then it’s possible the film will be delayed until 2006. Ironically, Sony was in the lead to buy MGM (and thus getting back their surrendered Casino rights), but reports are now saying that it’s more likely Warner Bros. will become the new home of Eon Productions and James Bond.

Keep watching CBn for the latest news on Bond 21/Casino Royale.

To discuss this news visit this thread in CBn’s Bond 21 Forums.

Related articles:

• The Fleming Blueprint: Casino Royale
• Casino Royale: Who is this guy?
• MGM Vice Chairman Talks Bond 21
• Purvis & Wade Back For Bond 21

David Arnold Tunes In For Bond 21

“The thing with the Bond… you know, I want to do them ’til I drop down dead.”

David Arnold

Andrew Collins of 6 Music (BBC) yesterday interviewed regular Bond film composer David Arnold, who confirmed that he is working on the upcoming twenty-first James Bond film, which will mark his fourth consecutive 007 score.

According to Arnold, “[The film] is going in a very, very interesting direction… We’ve taken [the movies] to a point where I think I’ve exhausted that particular scene of approach. What I’m already thinking of now is… you’re at the bottom of the mountain again and you have to get back up to the top via a different route.”

“I think there is a way of doing Bond differently again … I’m looking forward to it.”

David Arnold

Arnold also commented that the film is still on target for 2005, contrary to rumours that suggested the film has been delayed. The composer also made no reference to the Brosnan/Bond saga that has been dominating the Bond 21 limelight over the last six months.

“The two criticisms that I’ve always had doing Bond is that it sounds too much like John Barry and it doesn’t sound enough like John Barry.”

David Arnold

As for Arnold’s prior Bond experiences, the composer told 6 Music that he more or less poured everything he had ever wanted to do in a Bond film into Tomorrow Never Dies, his first Bond gig, on the assumption that he would never get asked to return for another film. However, he was asked by the series’ producers to come back for the following film on his final day of recording, yet still, Arnold did not realise it was a definite offer, instead thinking to himself, “Well, at least I’m in with a shot.” Of course, Arnold did return for The World Is Not Enough, a task the composer felt was a difficult one to live up to. “I guess I [had] the problem everyone has when you kind of do a sequel or something, which is how do you do the same thing again?” Arnold recalled. “And the thing with Bond is, there’s a kind of audience expectation with the music, where it’s got to sound a certain way, some of the time. Not all of the time, but some of the time.”

“It’s very reassuring, where you’re hearing that particular sound, and you’re looking at James Bond doing something, you know, that only something James Bond can do and there’s something sort of very reassuring and exciting about it.”

David Arnold

The interview also discussed his early years as a composer, including his work on Stargate, Independence Day and his four-day deadline on his score for The Stepford Wives, as well as his tastes in other film scores, such as Fight Club and Kill Bill.

To discuss this news visit this thread in CBn’s Bond 21 Forums.
Thanks to CBn Forum Member marktmurphy for the tip-off.

Brosnan REVOKES his own Licence to Kill

CBn reported back in Febuary of this year that Pierce Brosnan would not be returning to play 007 in Bond 21. Bewteen then and now… Brosnan opened up to talk about how no one really knew what was going on with the next Bond film (1, 2, 3). Soon after that things became silent (1, 2); then news broke out from a source other than Brosnan that there was indeed a despute between the Bond producers and Brosnan and negotiations had crumbled between the two.

Yesterday on Access Hollywood there was mention of Brosnan being cut from the Bond franchise. Now today the magazine Entertainment Weeky has reported that it appears Pierce Brosnan is indeed turning in his licence to kill.

In an interview on the magazines web-site Pierce Brosnan said, “That’s it, I’ve said all I’ve got to say on the world of James Bond.” Brosnan also mentioned that Die Another Day (2002) was his last mission on Her Majesty’s Secret Service. “Bond is another lifetime behind me.” But for Brosnan, playing Bond will always be a fond memory…

“We went out on a high, and I look back affectionately at that time and doing those four movies. But I’ve said all I gotta say on it.”

– Pierce Brosnan
ew.com Interview

So the big question is who does MGM and Eon/Danjaq really have in the running to be the next James Bond? Will they approach Brosnan and ask him to return, and if so will he take the role back for Bond 21? Will Brosnan return in a later movie, like Sean Connery did for Diamonds are Forever and Never Say Never Again? Or have we really seen Pierce Brosnan’s last day as Bond in Die Another Day?

To discuss this news visit this thread in the Bond 21 Forum on CBn.
Thanks to CBn Team Member Athena Stamos.
And Thanks to CBn Forum Members doublenoughtspy and License To Kill for the tips.

Eon Scouting Prague As Possible Bond 21 Location?

Eon Productions are looking to film James Bond 21 in the Czech Republic and have begun talks with studios and service companies in the city of Prague, according to a report in the showbiz trade paper Variety.

Prague has become a popular shooting location for many Hollywood productions. Bond fans will recall that the first Mission: Impossible was set largely in the capital, as was Sony’s James Bond franchise competitor xXx. The bulk of Hugh Jackman’s Van Helsing was shot in the city and its environs. Universal’s Doom is confirmed for a September-February production schedule. Also headed for Prague is 20th Century Fox’s Josiah’s Canon starring Sean Connery.

The Variety article reports that while the producers are “keen” on shooting Bond 21 in Prague, a final decision may be waiting on the completion of a script.

Keep watching CBn for the latest news on Bond 21.

To discuss this news visit this thread in CBn’s Bond 21 forums.

Related articles:

• German Bond 21 Release Date Set
• New Claims: Brosnan Out For Bond 21 Following Dispute
• Range Stormer: The Next Bond Car?
• MGM Vice Chairman Talks Bond 21
• Purvis & Wade Back For Bond 21
• Confirmed: Aston Martin V8 Vantage New Bond Car!
• Eon Deny Bond 21 Rumours

Are 007 Auditions Taking Place?

Hot on the heels of new claims that Pierce Brosnan has been left out in the cold after Bond 21 screenwriters convinced Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson that their script will work better with fresh blood, comes a new report that auditions for the role of James Bond have been taking place.

According to the International Movie Studio’s World Movie Magazine, 37-year-old Geoffrey Moore, son of Sir Roger Moore, attended a read-through with Broccoli after contract negotiations between Brosnan and the producers fell through.

In late April, Brosnan revealed that the producers have been talking to Clive Owen and Hugh Jackman, both of whom received the actor’s blessing. However, neither actor has mentioned auditioning for the role, with Owen claiming he has not even spoken with the producers about taking over from Brosnan.

As for Sir Roger’s son, Geoffrey serves as a restaurateur, despite having a history, albeit a small one, in front of and behind the camera. According to the IMDb, Moore has starred in six films between 1973 and 1993, including one telemovie based on Robert Louis Stevenson’s Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and another in a brief role starring alongside his father in Sherlock Holmes in New York. Geoffrey also acted as a third assistant director on his father’s last Bond film, A View To A Kill. Sir Roger has regularly touted his son as an ideal replacement once Pierce Brosnan steps down as 007.

“I think Geoffrey has the necessary charm, wit and sophistication to be 007. He is much better looking than me and much more talented, so I think he would be perfect for the role. Maybe he could even incorporate a bit of the cooking into the role.”

– Sir Roger Moore, 2002

Sir Roger’s daughter had a brief cameo in Die Another Day as an air stewardess.

As the rumour inferno rages on, the twenty-first James Bond film is still scheduled for release in November 2005.

To discuss this news visit this thread in the Bond 21 section of the CBn Forums.

Related articles:

• New Claims: Brosnan Out For Bond 21 Following Dispute
• Brosnan Says 007 Future Still Uncertain
• German Bond 21 Release Date Set
• Brosnan Says 007 Future Still Uncertain
• IMDb Reports: “Brosnan Will Play Bond Again”
• Brosnan Tempers Rhetoric in Recent T.V. Appearances
• Brosnan Confirms The Producers Are Talking to Jackman & Owen
• Bitter Brosnan: “Negotiations have now ceased.”
• MGM Vice Chairman Talks Bond 21
• Brosnan ‘On The Record with Bob Costas’
• Pierce Keeps Pressure on Bond Producers
• ‘…I don’t know what’s going to happen. I have no idea.’
• Brosnan Speaks Out in Detail on His Future as Bond
• Pierce Brosnan A Little Frazzled?
• Brosnan: “My Future As 007 Is Opaque”
• Eon Says That Brosnan is Bond ‘For Now’
• LICENCE REVOKED
• Brosnan’s Head is on the Block?

New Claims: Brosnan Out For Bond 21 Following Dispute

A new report from the respected UK newspaper The Daily Telegraph has broken the recent silence on the Pierce Brosnan Axed saga, which has been fuelling ever since the story first broke in early February. In Saturday’s edition, Charlie Methven wrote in his Spy column that Brosnan has been left out in the cold following a feud with the producers.

According to the newspaper’s unnamed source, producer Barbara Broccoli became annoyed with Brosnan after he demanded a “Tom Cruise-level” paycheck for the next film and then publicly complained about being “snubbed”. Upon learning that the producers were beginning to search elsewhere for their 007, Brosnan reportedly changed his tune, but it appears he missed his chance. The IMDb had reported a similar story in early May, although with a different outcome, believing that Brosnan had made amends with the producers. However, speaking in late May, Brosnan made clear once again that his future in the role was still uncertain.

According to the source for this latest news, the script penned by screenwriters Robert Wade and Neal Purvis (erroneously referred to in the article as “Andrew Neal”) is ready and signals a change of direction for the series. Purvis and Wade reportedly convinced Barbara Broccoli that the avenue to take for Bond 21 was that of an “old-style” Bond flick, as opposed to a special-effects-driven blockbuster. “Without all the special effects, the film will work best with a young, fresh actor,” explains the insider. “Andrew and Robert have at last persuaded everyone at the production company, Eon, that a traditional Bond is the way forward. So now it looks like Brosnan’s services won’t be required.” Whilst it is hard to believe that these two relatively new members of the Bond family have enough clout to persuade Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson to shift their focus for Bond 21, if a falling-out has occurred between Brosnan and the producers, there may not be much persuading needed after all.

Outside of the Brosnan fiasco, the source informs the newspaper that the film is still on-target for a 2005 release, and that “they” (presumably the writers and the producers) are heading out to Los Angeles in two weeks’ time with the ready script to “hammer out the details”.

Despite all this, however, the situation remains definitively unresolved to the public until Eon Productions make their official announcement. With the newspaper’s alledged inside information, Eon still refused to return article writer Methven’s calls regarding the matter.

To discuss the latest on the Brosnan/Bond 21 saga, visit this thread of CBn’s Bond 21 forums. Thanks to Loomis for the heads-up!

Related articles:

• German Bond 21 Release Date Set
• Brosnan Says 007 Future Still Uncertain
• IMDb Reports: “Brosnan Will Play Bond Again”
• Brosnan Tempers Rhetoric in Recent T.V. Appearances
• Brosnan Confirms The Producers Are Talking to Jackman & Owen
• Bitter Brosnan: “Negotiations have now ceased.”
• MGM Vice Chairman Talks Bond 21
• Brosnan ‘On The Record with Bob Costas’
• Pierce Keeps Pressure on Bond Producers
• ‘…I don’t know what’s going to happen. I have no idea.’
• Brosnan Speaks Out in Detail on His Future as Bond
• Pierce Brosnan A Little Frazzled?
• Brosnan: “My Future As 007 Is Opaque”
• Eon Says That Brosnan is Bond ‘For Now’
• LICENCE REVOKED
• Brosnan’s Head is on the Block?

German Bond 21 Release Date Set

20th Century Fox of Germany, who distributes the cinematic Bond in Germany, published a press release two days ago, briefly mentioning that "Bond 21 will be released on December 8th, 2005".

No other additional information has been given. With "Die Another Day", originally scheduled for a December 5, 2002 release in Germany, Fox decided in summer 2002 to get the movie a November 28 release. So, perhaps there is hope for all fellow German Bond fans…

Meanwhile, sources are saying that Eon Productions is "close to a decission" regarding who is going to play Bond. It’s also said that Neil Purvis and Robert Wade have delivered the first draft of the script by early June. It is expected that a director will be announced in late summer.

CBn will keep you informed!

You can discuss this news in this thread on the CBn Forums.

Range Stormer: The Next Bond Car?

TheLandRoverChronicle.com is reporting that rumors are circling about the possibility of the 2005 Range Sport (aka: Range Stormer) being issued to James Bond by Q-branch in Bond 21.

Range Stormer 4×4

This doesn’t mean James Bond won’t be driving the Aston Martin V8 Vantage in Bond 21 [CBn Report Feb 4th: Confirmed: Aston Martin V8 Vantage New Bond Car!]. As TheLandRoverChronicle.com is also saying that the Aston Martin will be used in and around London while the Range Stormer would be used in either South Africa or the Australian Outback. Although the location of Bond 21 has yet to be announced by EON or MGM.

The 2005 Range Stormer, the first ever concept from Land Rover, was unveiled at the 2004 Detroit Auto Show. The Range Stormer is a a low-slung four-seater that comes packed with a four-wheel-drive supercharged V-8 engine, six-speed transmission, and suspension settings (including normal, grass/gravel/snow, sand, deep ruts and rocks).

You can discuss this news in this thread on the CBn Forums.
Thanks to dbam for the alert.

Brosnan Says 007 Future Still Uncertain

Written by Matt Weston

Whilst doing the press junkets for his new film, Laws of Attraction current James Bond, Pierce Brosnan, spoke quite vocally about his current status as Agent 007. Virtually every interview he participated in echoed the same statements. Talk of “paralysis” and “impassés”, as vague as they were, revealed that something was, indeed, awry behind the scenes of the as-yet-untitled twenty-first James Bond film. In the occasional interview, Brosnan even turned towards making some unamicable comments about the franchise’s producers and MGM.

However, in recent weeks, everything has been rather quiet. Some fans speculated that this was attributed to negotiations gearing up once more, whilst others felt the silence was merely the result of Brosnan being out of the public light once Laws of Attraction entered cinemas. A little over a week ago, the IMDb reported that Brosnan had made amends with the series’ producers and that he would return in the next Bond film, further adding fuel to the fire.

But on Friday, Mr. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang! reported that uncertainty still very much hangs over Brosnan’s future as 007. In a radio interview with Brosnan that took place on the morning of May 26, British radio station, “Jazz FM”, inevitably turned the focus towards the current Bond 21 situation. In response, Brosnan stated that he still didn’t know if “they” (the Bond producers) wanted him back for the next film. In the special cinema news segment, “Jazz FM” tackled the Bond 21 scenario with Pierce head-on, but it seems that nothing has been resolved, yet.

MKKBB also notes that there is contining speculation in the media about the future of the series. The June 2004 issue of Dreamwatch magazine claims that the Bond series faces an “uncertain future”, saying that Neal Purvis and Robert Wade were penning a “generic” Bond 21 script that would work with or without Brosnan as Bond. The June 2004 issue of Starburst goes one step further, claiming it as fact that Brosnan will be replaced for the next film, by either Hugh Jackman and Clive Owen, two men Pierce has previously revealed that the producers have spoken to about the role (despite the fact that the two of them have denied being approached).

With rumours being published going every which way on the Brosnan/Bond situation, it is apparent that the scenario is seemingly unchanged. With a production date for Bond 21 looming, and no end in sight for the Brosnan saga, the series is amidst some interesting times indeed.

Related articles:

• IMDb Reports: “Brosnan Will Play Bond Again”
• Brosnan Tempers Rhetoric in Recent T.V. Appearances
• Brosnan Confirms The Producers Are Talking to Jackman & Owen
• Bitter Brosnan: “Negotiations have now ceased.”
• MGM Vice Chairman Talks Bond 21
• Brosnan ‘On The Record with Bob Costas’
• Pierce Keeps Pressure on Bond Producers
• ‘…I don’t know what’s going to happen. I have no idea.’
• Brosnan Speaks Out in Detail on His Future as Bond
• Pierce Brosnan A Little Frazzled?
• Brosnan: “My Future As 007 Is Opaque”
• Eon Says That Brosnan is Bond ‘For Now’
• LICENCE REVOKED
• Brosnan’s Head is on the Block?

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

IMDb Reports: "Brosnan Will Play Bond Again"

The website IMDb (Internet Movie Database) is today reporting that Pierce Brosnan has been “forgiven” for this recent public comments about the state of affairs inside the offices of Eon Productions, and that he is still the favorite to play James Bond in Bond 21. The full text of the IMDb report is below.

Irish superstar Pierce Brosnan will play suave superspy James Bond again – after patching up his feud with the Broccoli family. The Laws Of Attraction actor, 51, was thought to have lost the prestigious job after film executives deemed him too old to continue playing the sexy secret agent. But despite reports British hunks Clive Owen and Jude Law have been approached to replace him, insiders say Pierce – who had publicly slammed the Broccoli’s for delaying the project – is still their number one choice for Bond. A source says Barbara Broccoli told employees she had forgiven Brosnan’s recent outbursts, as they didn’t compare to the friction between her father Cubby and original Bond Sean Connery. Broccoli reportedly said, “If you knew what my father went through with Sean Connery, that’s nothing.”

Two weeks ago CBn reported that Brosnan had suddenly curtailed his public attacks on Eon [Brosnan Tempers Rhetoric in Recent T.V. Appearances] and offered speculation that this unfolding drama may have taken a turn. Is this the turn?

Pierce fans should probably not pop their champagne corks just yet.

At the moment, IMDb is the only source reporting this news. While IMDb has been a good source on the MGM/Sony sale and other Bond related news, the accuracy of their Bond 21 news has been somewhat dubious. In the past IMDb has reported that pop star Kylie Minogue was tapped to play the female lead, and that nervous MGM execs had re-signed Pierce after angry fans threatened to boycott the film (this back in March).

CBn will attempt to confirm or deny this latest bit of Bond 21 intrigue.

Stay tuned.

To discuss this news visit this thread in the CBn Forums.
Thanks to CBn Forum members “mattbowyer” and “thuffner” for the news tip.

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