Bond 21 Filming In Jan '04?

Bond 21 may start lensing in January of 2004 according to a report from Matt Sherman’s BondList.

An e-mail, sent to all members of the list, stated that “one of BONDLIST’s best sources” has revealed that Pinewood Studio’s has been reserved for Bond 21 as of August 2003.

While August 2003 wouldn’t indicate the start of filming, it would indicate the start of pre-production for the film. While James Bond’s most recent adventure, Die Another Day, began filming in January 2002 the production of sets, props and attire began around October 2001.

If Pinewood has indeed been booked out for August 2003 Bond 21 would start filming in January 2004.

BondList’s source has indicated that “December ’04 has been targeted for the” release of Bond 21 in the United States.

The news does, however, contradict earlier comments by MGM’s Chief Executive Officer Alex Yemenidjian that producers were “going to take three years to do the next one”. Yemenidjian did reveal, however, that scripting would begin in early 2003 indicating that Neil Purvis and Robert Wade may have already started on the script.

If you’d like to discuss the release date please visit this thread of the Bond 21 Forums. Thanks to Zencat for the tip-off

Bill Clinton Again Touted For Cameo

Former US President Bill Clinton has again been rumoured for a cameo appearance in a James Bond film, this time Bond 21.

Britain’s Daily Mail reported that actor Pierce Brosnan asked Clinton if he’d be interested in appearing in the next James Bond film, and Clinton “told Brosnan to arrange a meeting with his agent and see if a part and suitable pay cheque could be worked out”.

Obviously the news is about as true as it was during the Bond 20 rumour mill, where it appeared on January 14, 2001. The new article also states that filming for Bond 21 will begin in 2004, though 2005 is the year currently indicated by MGM.

If you’d like to discuss this rumour please visit this thread of the Bond 21 Forums. Thanks to mkkbb for the tip-off.

Source: Sky News

Title & Plot Rumours Surface Already

The chances are that Bond 21 won’t hit theatres until 2005, but that hasn’t stopped cinema magazine Hotdog publishing the first plot and title rumours for the film.

In ‘The Insider’, a section of Hotdog based upon supposedly inside information, an article indicates that Bond 21 will be based upon Fleming’s Casino Royale. The article states that the film has been given the working title Royale Flush, with the plot will “incorporate La Chief, the villian from the novel, into a plot where he joins forces with Falco, Michael Madsen’s now rogue FDA agent from the last film. One plot element is certain: Bond is now on Falco’s trial”.

Of course, the plot line seems completely bogus due to several faults. Falco works for the National Security Agency (NSA) and not the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and, furthermore, Casino Royale‘s villain is Le Chiffre and not La Chief.

If you’d like to discuss the rumours please visit this thread of the Bond 21 Forums. Thanks to bondsgal and Kate for the tip-off.

Armstrong Location Scouts Australia?

The latest edition of Australian womens magazine “Woman’s Day” feautres a short article on Vic Armstrong’s trip to Queensland, Australia, late last year:

“BOND BOUND FOR NOOSA”

Here’s a hot tip – it looks like the next James Bond blockbuster could be filmed in Noosa, but it’s not likely to be called “From Noosa With Love”.

Hollywood producer Vic Armstrong – who has been a Bond stuntman since 1967’s “You Only Live Twice” and was the second unit director of “Die Another Day”, visited Queensland’s Sunshine Coast late last year.

He based himself in the Noosa Sheraton and hired several local location spotters to guide him about the area’s many natural attractions, including Fraser Island.

Vic also appeared in a brief documentary shot by local film-maker Michael Butler, who put the former stuntman through his 007 paces at the Gold Coast’s Indy 300 car race.

Michael says Vic liked what he saw during his whirlwind visit and suggests there’s a good chance that he’ll nominate Noosa as the perfect setting for the next instalment in the Bond series.

The article incorrectly refers to Armstrong as a producer, as he serves as the 2nd Unit Director on the James Bond films. Armstrong’s trip to Australia may, however, be too early to be location scouting for Bond 21.

Be sure to discuss the news in this thread of CBn’s Bond 21 forums! And thanks to forum member “Melancholy Productions” for the alert!

AM DB7 Replacement Revealed

The latest issue of AutoCar has featured a spy picture of Aston Martin’s untitled replacement for the Aston Martin DB7.

CBn Forum Member ‘marktmurphy’ has rendered the pictures of the new Aston Martin, which was photographed with design disguises, to give us this clearer picture;

Aston Martin’s DB7 Replacement

The new car is reportedly a six litre V12 designed by Ian Callum, who designed the DB7 and the Aston Martin Vanquish.

The new car, along with the recently revealed Aston Martin AMV8 Vantage, is a contendor for James Bond’s car in Bond 21. The DB7 replacement goes into production later this year with a shipping date with the first deliveries of the car expected in mid-2004.

At this stage the AMV8 Vantage seems more likely to feature in Bond 21 due to it being Aston Martin’s new entry-level car. The car company revealed in 2002 that Bond 21 would feature an entry-level car as opposed to a higher level, such as the Vanquish.

If you’d like to discuss the new car please visit this thread of the Bond 21 Forums. Thanks to ‘marktmurphy’ for both the picture and the news alert.

AMV8 Vantage Debuts

The Aston Martin AMV8 Vantage, tipped to be James Bond’s car in the 21st James Bond movie, has made its world debut today.

Aston Martin AMV8 Vantage

Courtesy Aston Martin Owners Club

The AMV8 Vantage, which was previously referred to as the AM305, is Aston Martin’s new entry level car and has an estimated price tag of US$100,000 attached to it. It’s connection with Bond 21 comes with the ‘entry level’ confirmation, Aston Martin having previously confirmed that Bond 21 will feature an entry level car, and also with the cars production date. The AMV8 Vantage will be launched during 2005, the same year as MGM intends to release Bond 21.

Most details about the AMV8 Vantage are still being kept a secret, however, it is known that the car is a two seater car powered a 4.3-litre V8 engine. More technical details are available from the Aston Martin Owners Club with further specifications scheduled to be announced at the Detroit Auto Show.

Aston Martin AMV8 Vantage

Courtesy Aston Martin Owners Club

Update: MSN Auto’s have updated with three new pictures of the car, including an interior shot.

If you’d like to discuss the AMV8 Vantage please visit this thread of the Bond 21 Forums.

Source: Aston Martin Owners Club

Two New Aston Martins in 2003

Aston Martin will unveil two new cars this month at United States auto shows.

It has been confirmed that the Los Angeles Auto Show, further details here, will see the unveiling of the ‘Aston Martin DB American Roadster 1’, or the DB AR1. .

Aston Martin DB American Roadster 1

Courtesy Aston Martin Owners Club

The DB AR1 is a lightweight concept roadster aimed specifically at the US market and is based upon the Aston Martin DB7 Vantage Volante. It has been confimred that the DB AR1 is only considered a concept car, and as such will only be produced, in limited numbers, depending on viewers reactions and interest.

With an estimated price tag of US$230,000, and it’s intended US market, it is unlikely that the DB AR1 will feature in Bond 21 as Aston Martin are keen to use the film to market a lower price ranged car.

Recent news from Motor Trend that Aston Martin will be relaunching the DB5 line was denied by sources for CommanderBond.Net today.

Very little is known about the new car, bar to say it’s production title is the Aston Martin 305. Further details won’t be released until later this week.

With the line known to be direct competition for Porsche 911 it is believed that the new car will have a price tag around the US$100,000 mark.

While 2003 may seem early to unveil a car that won’t feature in a Bond film that isn’t anticipated until 2005 it should be acknowlged that the Aston Martin V12 Vanquish was first unveiled in the 1990’s and appear briefly in 2001’s Tomb Raider before going on to appear in Die Another Day.

If you’d like to discuss the new Aston Martins, please visit this thread of the Bond 21 Forums. Thanks to the Aston Martin Owners Club and SeanValen00V for contributing to this article.

Source: Aston Martin Owners Club

Bond 21 Car May Be Called DB5

In 2002, after having announced their involvement with Die Another Day, sources at Aston Martin revealed that the motor company had signed a three picture deal, which would see Aston Martin’s appear in Die Another Day, Bond 21 and Bond 22. With the announcement came the news that Bond 21’s car would be from a lower price range and quite possibly around the $100,000 range.

In August 2002 pictures reached the Internet of Aston Martin’s latest development, the Aston Martin 305. The pictures showed the 305 in prototype stages, but it was revealed that the car would be aimed as competition for Porsche 911. The prototype did, however, draw heavily upon the DB7 whereas Aston Martin had hired designers to redesign the car more in the vein of the Aston Martin DB5.

Motor Trend today took a glimpse of what car enthusiasts can expect from the LA and Detriot Auto Shows in 2003. In a list of “world debuts for production vehicles and concept cars” Motor Trends has included an Aston Martin DB5, indicating that the Aston Martin 305 may have been renamed as expected.

It does have to be acknowledged, however, that Motor Trends line up could mistakingly refer to the Aston Martin DB5 as the car has featured at previous Detroit Auto Show’s.

The 2003 North American International Auto Show opens to the general public January 11 and closes January 20.

CommanderBond.Net’s editorial team would appreciate it if any attendees of the motor show could contact them through [email protected].

If you’d like to discuss this news, please visit this thread of the Bond 21 Forums. Thanks to john007 for the tip-off

Baz Luhrmann To Direct Bond 21?

Moulin Rouge director Baz Luhrmann has revealed that he’d love to helm a James Bond movie.

The extravagant Aussie director was contemplating future projects when he let slip, “I think to myself I’d love to do a James Bond film,” adding “Wouldn’t that be fun?”

Luhrmann then continued, saying the day may come when he not only wants to make a 007 flick but that he has to, reasoning, “It might be that I need to make a James Bond film. That could happen. I really need to make a James Bond film. Anything could happen.”

Be sure to discuss the news in this thread of CBn’s Bond 21 Forums!

Official: 2005 Release Date

In an article about the boxoffice success of Die Another Day, Yahoo reports also about the further development of the franchise:

In recent years, MGM has tried to release a Bond movie about once every two years. But Yemenidjian said that was too fast in this case due to the strong success of “Die Another Day.”

“We are going to take three years to do the next one, because if this one does $500 million in worldwide box office, the next one should do more,” he told the investors at a UBS Warburg investors’ conference.

“I think there is a very big risk in rushing these things and screwing up the value of your franchise,” he added.

In interviews to promote the film last month, producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson said they would not even begin working on a new Bond script until early next year.

The news from the producers of the Bond series and MGM executives confirms previous speculation that another 3 year gap would be sought after the success of Die Another Day.

Be sure to discuss the news in this thread in CBn’s Bond 21 Forums! And thanks to ‘Alex Zamudio’ for the alert!