A Quantum Of Solace For Daniel Craig

Movies Online has sat down with the star of Quantum of Solace, James Bond himself–Daniel Craig.

As is the case with their recent discussions with both director Marc Forster and Bond girl Olga Kurylenko (Camille), this interview with Craig contains a mind-boggling amount of information and details regarding the step-by-step process of creating the 22nd Bond film.

Dangerous stunts, worldwide locations, becoming 007, Bond 23 possibilities, working with Marc Forster and the cast, the ever-changing script and so much more… it’s all here.

Daniel Craig on Quantum of Solace

Stay up-to-date with complete James Bond coverage at CommanderBond.net–your #1 source for all the latest Quantum of Solace clips and news.

'Quantum of Solace' TV Specials

28 October UPDATE: New listings.

Article originally posted on 12 October 2008.

As the theatrical release of Quantum of Solace gets closer and closer, you can bet that numerous television programs will be getting into the 007 spirit.

CommanderBond.net compiles a listing of upcoming James Bond specials for UK fans to keep an eye out for:

Ian Fleming: Where Bond Began

• Sunday, 19 October
• Begins at 18:00 (BBC1)

Join former Bond girl Joanna Lumley (the Engish Angel of Death in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service) as she investigates the life of Ian Fleming to coincide with the centenary of his birth and the upcoming release of the 22nd Bond film, Daniel Craig’s Quantum of Solace.

On a journey which takes her from London to Jamaica, driving Aston Martins, firing Berettas and being surrounded by £24m-worth of diamonds, Joanna discovers how Fleming poured his personal experiences of war-time espionage, love, luxury and death into his most alluring literary creation, James Bond.

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The South Bank Show

• Wednesday, 22 October
• Begins at 20:40 (ITV1)

The South Bank Show looks at the unrivalled impact of Bond, examines the longevity, success and impact of the character, and the creative and artistic aspects particular to the Bond brand.

The South Bank Show focuses on the cinematic vision for Bond and discovers why the Bond films have always been a major popular cultural event and captivated our imagination; and comes right up to date to demonstrate how the franchise has succeeded so spectacularly in re-creating a modern brand.

Melvyn Bragg interviews the first James Bond, Sir Sean Connery; and current Bond Daniel Craig on the set of the new film, Quantum of Solace. They discuss what it means to be Bond. The South Bank Show also talks to the cast in the new film including: new Bond Girl, Olga Kurylenko, new villain, Mathieu Amalric; as well as Dame Judi Dench who returns as M, and the director of Quantum of Solace, Marc Forster. The film discusses the Bond music with the current composer David Arnold–and chats to Goldfinger‘s Pussy Galore, Honor Blackman, about the changing role of women in Bond.

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Friday Night with Jonathan Ross

• Friday, 24 October
• Begins at 22:35 (BBC1)

Jonathan Ross talks with Daniel Craig. Other guests include Grace Jones and Tony Curtis.

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Quantum of Solace: Bond on Location

• Saturday, 25 October
• Begins at 15:00 (ITV2)

• Tuesday, 28 October
• Begins at 23:25 (ITV2)

• Friday, 31 October
• Begins at 23:45 (ITV1)

• Saturday, 1 November
• Begins at 14:05 (ITV2)

• Sunday, 2 November
• Begins at 10:10 (ITV4)

• Thursday, 6 November
• Begins at 0:00 (ITV4)

Daniel Craig and the cast of the new James Bond film Quantum of Solace visit some of the glamorous locations featured in the movie, including Italy and Austria, as well as more remote parts of the world. From the back streets of Colon in Panama to the driest part of the Earth’s surface in Chile, the team reveal how their location choices have helped to make this the most realistic Bond film yet

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Movie Special: Quantum of Solace

• Sunday, 26 October
• Begins at 22:30 (Sky 2)

A thirty-minute Quantum of Solace making-of special.

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Film 2008: Quantum of Solace Special

• Tuesday, 28 October
• Begins at 23:25 (BBC1)

The presenter is given the chance to enact every adrenaline junkie’s fantasy with an all-access visit to the set of the latest James Bond film Quantum of Solace. He meets Daniel Craig, along with on-screen villain Mathieu Amalric and director Marc Forster to discuss how the iconic spy has been transformed to meet the tastes of a modern audience

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Bond: The Making of Quantum of Solace

• Friday, 31 October
• Begins at 21:45 (ITV1)

A thirty-minute Quantum of Solace making-of special.

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Royal World Premiere: Quantum of Solace special

• Saturday, 1 November
• Begins at 14:35 (ITV2)

• Sunday, 2 November
• Begins at 2:25 (ITV1)

• Sunday, 2 November
• Begins at 9:35 (ITV4)

• Tuesday, 4 November
• Begins at 0:40 (ITV1)

• Sunday, 2 November
• Begins at 2:25 (ITV1)

Coverage of Wednesday’s royal premiere of the new James Bond movie, attended by Princes William and Harry. The programme features highlights of the 22nd big-screen outing for Ian Fleming’s masterspy, as played for the second time by Daniel Craig, as well as interviews with some of the stars.

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Quantum of Solace Special

• Saturday, 1 November
• Begins at 11:30 (Sky Two)

• Saturday, 1 November
• Begins at 15:00 (Sky One)

• Sunday, 2 November
• Begins at 13:30 (Sky Three)

• Tuesday, 4 November
• Begins at 0:40 (Sky One)

A preview of the latest Bond film, with Daniel Craig as the secret agent.

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Bond Girl Diaries

• Tuesday, 28 October
• Begins at 17:00 (E!)

• Wednesday, 29 October
• Begins at 20:30 (E!)

• Saturday, 1 November
• Begins at 12:30 (E!)

• Saturday, 1 November
• Begins at 14:30 (E!)

• Saturday, 1 November
• Begins at 18:30 (E!)

• Sunday, 2 November
• Begins at 9:00 (Sky One)

• Sunday, 2 November
• Begins at 15:30 (E!)

• Monday, 3 November
• Begins at 17:30 (E!)

• Tuesday, 4 November
• Begins at 15:30 (E!)

• Tuesday, 4 November
• Begins at 20:30 (E!)

• Wednesday, 5 November
• Begins at 10:30 (E!)

• Wednesday, 5 November
• Begins at 18:30 (E!)

• Thursday, 6 November
• Begins at 11:30 (E!)

• Thursday, 6 November
• Begins at 14:00 (E!)

• Thursday, 6 November
• Begins at 21:30 (E!)

The daily life of Olga Kurylenko at work and at home, as she becomes the latest ‘Bond Girl’ for the spy franchise’s 22nd film Quantum of Solace.

Seeking Solace With Marc Forster And Olga Kurylenko

Two exhaustive interviews with Quantum of Solace director Marc Forster and Bond girl Olga Kurylenko (Camille) have been posted at Movies Online.

Anything and everything James Bond-related is discussed (spoilers included!) with both Forster and Kurylenko, including tackling such a monumental action film, shooting around the world, the casting process, working with Daniel Craig and the other cast and crew members and much more…

Click below to check them both out online:

Marc Forster on Quantum of Solace

Olga Kurylenko on Quantum of Solace

Stay up-to-date with complete James Bond coverage at CommanderBond.net–your #1 source for all the latest Quantum of Solace clips and news.

Craig Doesn't Hold Back When It Comes To Bond

In a new interview with The Sun, Daniel Craig has revealed that he doesn’t hold back when it comes to playing James Bond.

With his arm still in the sling that has accompanied him to several recent Quantum of Solace press events, he said: ‘It’s been a whole new set of injuries on this one. I had so many pulled muscles and things like that. I’ve been even more physically involved in every aspect of this film.’

‘On Casino Royale, I pulled my Achilles tendon and was limping around and was in pain a lot of the time. This time I managed to slice the end off a finger in a fight sequence. I guess accidents are bound to happen. We’ve certainly not held back, that’s for bloody sure.’

Despite the more hard-edged nature of Craig’s take on the 007 role, the actor was keen to point out the importance of keeping things light and fun on the set.

‘I tend to giggle a lot, probably way too much, and I tend to get in trouble for it. I guess that’s not very Bond-like.

He said: ‘When we are on set we try to keep things as light and as easygoing as possible. Everyone is away from home and missing their loved ones and friends. It’s important to keep things fresh. Dame Judi Dench, who plays M, likes to tell jokes–but I wouldn’t like to embarrass her by repeating them.’

When asked about taking his shirt off for the Bond films, Craig said the media attention doesn’t phase him. ‘I’m very touched by being called a sex symbol. It’s very nice but I have a sense of humour about it. On the one hand it’s very flattering but on the other it doesn’t have much relevance in my life. I live with somebody, so all my energy goes into our relationship.’

‘When I have to take my shirt off for the film I don’t feel particularly comfortable with it. Obviously, it’s nice to be fit and in good shape but it’s a by-product of the script–it’s not something where I’m always looking to unbutton my shirt.’

On the sex scenes: ‘I’m an actor so I’ve been an exhibitionist for as long as I can remember. Those love scenes make the shoot a bit easier. But I guess if I stopped to think about them it would probably be quite embarrassing.’

‘I guess accidents are bound to happen. We’ve certainly not held back, that’s for bloody sure.’ – Daniel Craig

The Quantum of Solace worldwide premiere, benefitting the Help For Heroes campaign and The Royal British Legion, two charities which help injured soldiers and their families, takes place tomorrow evening.

‘Playing a hero doesn’t compare to the heroics of our soldiers,’ Craig commented. ‘Obviously, I would never be so arrogant as to compare myself to them. It’s great that we can make this gesture with the premiere and support the young men and women who have been injured and who are putting their necks on the line for us at the moment. Forgetting that would be awful.’

As for his future as 007, Craig hinted that the longstanding Q and Miss Moneypenny characters may finally show up once again. ‘I think we can introduce Moneypenny and Q back into their roles. We have got to offer them to the best actors possible.’

‘I’m only borrowing the character. I think someone will come along and do a better job than me. Bond belongs to Ian Fleming and producer Barbara Broccoli. I would love to do another one. Maybe I’m just pessimistic but I’ll see how it goes.’

The film goes on general release in the UK this Friday.

Keep your eyes on the CommanderBond.net main page for most up-to-date and complete coverage of Quantum of Solace.

Daniel Craig's 'Quantum' Leap

The BBC News scored a new video interview with Daniel Craig.

With the world premiere of Quantum of Solace scheduled for tomorrow evening and advance reviews coming in left and right, it seems like everyone is getting into the 007 spirit.

When asked about his successful reinvention of Bond, Craig said: ‘The character’s rounded and 90% of his views I can’t go along with.’

‘But he falls in love and falls out of love, he struggles with his work, and to get some of those in the movie is just the job. I don’t know another way of doing it–I look to the Flemings for help.’

In comparing this film to his debut entry as Bond, 2006’s Casino Royale, Craig said the workload was more difficult this time around.

‘There was a potential actors’ strike in June or July,’ he said, ‘and because we’d started we had to finish on a certain date, so the pressure was on–we couldn’t stop. If I’d got an injury and we’d had to stop for a couple of weeks it would have really screwed things around.’

While Craig definitely didn’t escape the film injury-free, the Quantum of Solace still managed to finish exactly on schedule.

Wrapping up the interview, Craig did offer a glimmer of hope for the dedicated Moneypenny and Q fans hoping for their return to the series in Bond 23.

‘We certainly have to introduce them and earn the right to have them,’ he said. ‘You can’t just drop them in. There’s a generation of people who don’t know Bond movies and I want them to watch the movies and understand who those characters are.’

Keep your eyes on the CommanderBond.net main page for most up-to-date and complete coverage of Quantum of Solace.

James Bond's Box Office Viewed At Critic And Recession-Proof

While the general consensus amongst critics so far for Quantum of Solace seems to be ‘good, but not quite as good as Casino Royale‘, that likely won’t be an issue in preventing the 22nd James Bond film from becoming a blockbuster at the box office.

Calling Quantum of Solace ‘critic and recession-proof’, seveal box office trackers are predicting big numbers for the 007 film once it opens this Friday in the UK and on 14 November in the US–reports Reuters.

‘Quantum of Solace is one of the few event pictures left in the year,’ said Brandon Gray, president of Box Office Mojo.

‘People responded very well to Casino Royale, and I think people’s affinity for Casino Royale will drive Quantum of Solace to a terrific opening,’ he said.

He continued: ‘Quantum of Solace stands an excellent chance of outgunning Casino Royale because Casino Royale built up an audience base.’

Screen International’s Jack Warner also agreed. ‘Bond is a very strong brand to build on,’ he said. ‘No one expects a sequel to do less well than the one before it. Casino Royale went down well critically and with audiences, and they will be looking to break that figure.’

Despite the current economic crisis throughout the world, Bond is expected to emerge unscathed.

‘Movies remain the cheapest, or one of the cheapest entertainment events available, in terms of the type of things you get out of the home to do,’ said Gray. ‘Bond is well suited to ride out any kind of recession.’

Do you have any predictions of James Bond at the box-office? Sound off here on the CBn Forums.

Keep your eyes on the CommanderBond.net main page for most up-to-date and complete coverage of Quantum of Solace.

Bond Conquers The Chinese Censors

James Bond has conquered the Chinese censors once again.

Following the recent news that Quantum of Solace had been scheduled for a 5 November premiere in China, Variety reports that the film has been passed with no cuts made.

As 007 fans will recall, Daniel Craig’s first Bond adventure, Casino Royale was the first Bond film ever played at Chinese theatres, after being forbidden for so many years. The film–which was also approved with no cuts–went on to become a strong success at the country’s box office.

Sony’s Li Chow said the plan for were hoping to get Quantum of Solace on at least 1,000 screens across China, including both 35mm and digital. ‘We hope it will do well and can run until December, maybe Christmas,’ he said.

Gala premieres for the Bond film are being planned for Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

Keep your eyes on the CommanderBond.net main page for most up-to-date and complete coverage of Quantum of Solace.

Sony Australia Unveils Blockbuster 'Quantum of Solace' Promotion

Sony Australia Unveils Blockbuster Quantum of Solace Consumer Promotion

Win one of seven world-class Bond-style adventures Sydney – 27 October, 2008 – To celebrate the return of the world’s most enduring secret agent, Sony Australia has unveiled a blockbuster consumer promotion. For every $50 spent on participating Sony products, consumers will have the opportunity to win one of seven world-class Bond-style adventures.
“James Bond epitomises sophistication, quality and international appeal, which is a perfect fit with the Sony brand,” said Toby Barbour, Head of Strategy and Brand Development, Sony Australia.

“Sony Australia is combining technological innovation with entertainment content to deliver the energy and intensity of Bond like no other. From the latest XBR series Full HD BRAVIA LCD TVs with RGB Backlight LED, to our new Blu-ray players with BD-Live functionality, Sony’s leadership in high definition combines with one of the world’s most powerful movie franchises,” said Barbour.

The promotion started on 27 October 2008 with daily draws over 62 days. In addition, thousands of daily prizes, including PLAYSTATION 3 consoles, 007 DVD Box sets, Adrenalin vouchers, Greater Union double-movie passes and BigPond Music download credit will be awarded. As an additional incentive, on selected Sony products, a range of exclusive gifts with purchase will also be offered.

Ross Fielding, Executive Director, Telstra Product Management said the integration of Telstra mobile code technology boosted the competition’s interactivity.

“This is one of the first examples of a major brand harnessing Telstra’s new mobile code technology, which is available free on a growing selection of Next G mobile phones. Using the Telstra Code Reader customers can easily scan QUANTUM codes featured on competition advertising to double their chances of winning Sony prizes. It’s an exciting response mechanism that bridges the traditional and emerging mobile advertising worlds to immediately connect consumers with campaign content,” Ross said.

The seven main prizes, worth up to $30,000 each, include:

UK Bond Adventure
Visit the Beaulieu Car Museum in Hampshire (formerly MI6 Headquarters). Take an extreme ride along the Thames in a jet boat and enjoy dinner at the famous Rules restaurant, before suiting up in style at one of London’s famous Saville Row tailors.

Italy Bond Adventure
Travel to Italy to live the high life. Indulge in a famed Sienna spa, enjoy a guided visit to the “Bottini” Underground waterworks, dine at one of Italy’s top private wine cellars and relax in five star boutique luxury.

LA Bond Adventure
Receive an exclusive invitation and tour of a private car collection at the Galpin Aston Martin. Dine with a Hollywood stuntman followed by a set visit and live stunt demonstration to practise your own action hero moves.

Monte Carlo Bond Adventure
It’s the lifestyle enjoyed by movie stars, royalty – and secret agents. Experience a helicopter transfer from Nice airport to Monte Carlo, before trying your luck at the Grand Casino in Monte Carlo. Then, enjoy some relaxation with access to a marine day spa followed by lunch.

Sydney Bond Adventure
Get your adrenalin racing with a series of extreme adventures. Travel to Sydney for a prize pack including a helicopter sightseeing tour, an extreme boat ride of Sydney Harbour and a day behind the wheel of an Aston Martin Vantage. Then, relax with some fine dining and luxury accommodation.

Las Vegas Bond Adventure
Experience the thrills of the Las Vegas nightlife. Receive return Limo transfers to and from the airport, try your luck at the gaming tables with a croupier/gambling lesson, receive a race car driving experience and then get the best views of the Nevada desert with a Grand Canyon helicopter sightseeing tour.

007 Cash Bond Adventure
Receive an attaché case filled with $15,000 cash and design your very own custom Bond adventure.

Double your chance of winning with QR codes

For a double chance of winning, scan the associated QR Code on your mobile phone. Click the link on the mobile site home page to receive a unique code via SMS. For consumers who cannot scan the QR code, an SMS mechanism will also be available to unlock the password. Simply SMS the word ‘CODE’ to 1999BOND to receive an SMS back with a unique code. Consumers can then enter this unique code online to receive double the entries in the daily prize draws when purchasing Sony products.*

For further information on this exciting promotion please visit www.sony.com.au/Bond.

About QR Codes

QR (or ‘Quick Response’) Codes are a new type of barcode designed to be read by mobile phones. Compatible 3G phones equipped with a camera and the correct reader software can scan these codes, revealing an interactive multimedia experience or redirecting the viewer’s phone to a URL.

Sony’s partnership with Telstra gives Next G network customers a seamless competition experience in more places. Next G customers with compatible handsets need only launch Telstra’s pre-installed Telstra Code Reader from their My Place phone menu and point their mobile phone cameras at competition codes to access video-rich clues for free.**

Telstra Mobile Codes were launched in July and already more than 1 million Australians have the free barcode reading software installed on their Next G mobile phones.

Quantum of Solace

Quantum of Solace continues the high-octane adventures of James Bond in Casino Royale. Principal photography began on 7 January 2008. The film was produced for EON Productions by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, directed by Marc Forster and stars Daniel Craig as the legendary secret agent, James Bond. The screenplay was written by Oscar winner Paul Haggis (Crash, Casino Royale), Neal Purvis and Robert Wade. The release date only at the movies for Quantum of Solace will be Wednesday 19 November. For more information, visit www.QuantumOfSolace.com.au

As always, make CommanderBond.net your one and only stop for all the latest James Bond news and coverage.

'Quantum of Solace' Soundtrack Now Available

David Arnold’s soundtrack for Quantum of Solace is officially released today in the UK and US.

Following up it’s early release on iTunes UK last week, James Bond fans can currently order the CD soundtrack online at Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com, retailing for £8.98 and $18.98, respectively.

The J-Records 24-track soundtrack includes Arnold’s fifth 007 score along with the title track duet ‘Another Way To Die’ by Jack White and Alicia Keys.

Order online:

• Order the Quantum of Solace soundtrack from Amazon.co.uk
• Order the Quantum of Solace soundtrack from Amazon.com

Stay up-to-date with complete James Bond coverage at CommanderBond.net–your #1 source for all the latest Quantum of Solace clips and news.

Daniel Craig On 007: Completing The Circle In 'Quantum' And 'Royale'

WARNING: Spoilers

An indepth interview with Daniel Craig has been posted online at Dark Horizons focusing on the making of Quantum of Solace and what could possibly follow in the future for 007.

With Quantum of Solace picking up a mere five minutes after the events of Casino Royale, many James Bond fans have been curious as to whether or not Bond 23 will take this approach as well and continue the current storyline.

Said Craig: ‘I think we’ve finished, we’ve tail ended these. These movies stand up alone. They’re two very separate movies, two stylistically separate movies but we’ve completed the circle in these movies. We can do anything.’

‘I’m just applying what I know and with working with someone like Marc,’ Craig continued, focusing on the level of emotional vulnerability seen in Bond this time around.

Question: How were the stunts this time?

Craig: We set the bar on Casino so we had to try and achieve and try and make these different but as good. And things have moved on. Special effects have moved on. We certainly didn’t want to make this a more CGI based movie but the plane sequence which insists that we have CGI. I think the freefall sequence was incredible to do because we went and learned to freefall. We had a conversation about the freefall sequence. I was like, “I’ve never seen a good one.” I think they’re always kind of [naff?] There’s obviously people freefalling and then they have a closeup of somebody with a hair dryer. That always seemed to me the way, and they always last about five minutes longer than they should. So I said, “It has to be quick. They have to look like they’re falling out of the plane.” And someone came up with the idea there’s this 200 mile an hour vertical wind tunnel where people go and learn how to freefall and you can do it. So Olga and I went and rehearsed for about a week on it and we stuck a camera, a guy cameraman with a small camera flying with a controller. We had 20 digital cameras around and I think just, you look at it, it was hell, but it looks like we’re falling out of an airplane.

‘We know about making movies. But it’s a Bond movie and I think all the subtleties are there which you see: the music, the style, the whole thing, they’re classically Bond. It’s just we’re f–king around with it. It’s enjoyable to do, but that doesn’t mean we won’t get more – – I feel now we’re in a situation where I do genuinely believe we can have a submarine base in the next one. I’d love it. We could. Now that’s going to be printed. “We’re going into…”‘

When asked whether or not a new master villain organization such as SPECTRE was being created (Quantum, perhaps?), Craig said: ‘Well, I think we’ve set that up. There could be. I genuinely, I don’t like films that tie everything up at the end. I like an open ending. I want an audience to go away asking those questions and hopefully they’ll continue asking those questions into the next movie we do.’

Question: Talk about going toe to toe with Olga during shooting?

Craig: Well, there’s obviously a story about vengeance in this story but actually Bond isn’t on a mission of vengeance. I mean, he’s angry, he’s pissed off and all those things but actually he ties into this title which seems to work better and better the more I talk about it. He wants to find his quantum of solace. He wants to find the peace within himself because he lost somebody. Actually, Olga’s character is on a mission of vengeance and that’s why he can step back and say, “Okay, I’m going to help you out. I’m going to help you get your goal but understand I don’t think it’s the right thing to be doing. I think you’re going to screw yourself up.” In fact at the end of this movie, he gets the one man who’s most responsible for Vesper’s death and he doesn’t shoot him. So Olga’s character I just think is, there’s strength in it. Just like Gemma’s character, Fields, is so great because they get together and it’s lovely and it’s a bit of fun and it’s not because she gets killed.

As for the early-stage reports that Quantum of Solace would feature an abundance of comedy (based off of some deadpan jokes made by Craig), he said: ‘I mean, I’m sorry. I probably say stupid things in interviews sometimes but I’m not nailing anything down. People kind of want to know exactly what’s going to happen in the next movie and I don’t know. Is there room for more comedy. Yes, there’s room for more comedy.’

Visit Dark Horizons for the entire Quantum of Solace interview with Daniel Craig.

Keep your eyes on the CommanderBond.net main page for most up-to-date and complete coverage of Quantum of Solace.