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  1. 'Another Way To Die' CD Single Available

    By Devin Zydel on 2008-10-24

    If you haven’t yet purchased the Quantum of Solace title track ‘Another Way To Die’ by Jack White and Alicia Keys from iTunes yet, be aware that the single is now available on CD format as well.

    Currently shipping at both Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com, the two-track CD single contains the original recording as well as an instrumental version (both tracks run for 4 minutes, 23 seconds).

    Retail price is £3.99 and $8.99, respectively.

    CommanderBond.net will continue to keep you informed with the most up-to-date and complete coverage of Quantum of Solace.

  2. A Hotel Fit For James Bond

    By Devin Zydel on 2008-10-24

    With James Bond’s return in Quantum of Solace happening in just a matter of days, Red Letter Days, the UK’s leading experience company, have joined forces with the London-based all-suite hotel Plaza on the River to create the ultimate 007 experience for visitors.

    Full details on the limited-time offer follow below:

    A Hotel Fit For Bond

    As Daniel Craig hits the Bond trail again with Quantum of Solace, opening October 31st, Red Letter Days, the UK’s leading experience company, and luxury all-suite hotel Plaza on the River, have joined forces to create the ultimate Bond inspired experience in London.

    A short distance from Bond’s MI6 headquarters, Plaza on the River plays host to this luxury package which truly encapsulates everything sophisticated associated with this debonair secret agent. The exclusive hotel experience, available from September until December only, costs £2,700 (incl. VAT) and includes:

    • 2 Nights Accommodation in a One Bedroom River View Suite
    • Full English Breakfast
    • Private In Room Dining with Private Chef & Butler (3 course meal) on the first night
    • One Day Use of an Aston Martin V8 Vantage (including comprehensive insurance for two drivers, 200 miles allowance), courtesy of Red Letter Days
    • A Savile Row Tailor Visit to Plaza on the River (One Tuxedo Fitting Session)
    • In Room Poker Master Class on the second night, courtesy of Red Letter Days
    • Visit to one of London’s top casinos
    • A chauffeur driven car to and from one of London’s top casinos
    • Guests have the option of including a visit from a barber for a wet shave courtesy of Red Letter Days, at an additional cost of £100 including VAT (subject to availability)

    For a single night or for an entire year, Plaza on the River provides an unparalleled level of service with each guest invited to provide a list of their personal requirements prior to their visit to ensure an experience where every detail is the ultimate in luxury.

    Bond would just move in.

    To book, please contact:
    Reservations: Quoting ‘I Prefer James Bond’
    T: +44 (0)20 7769 2525 / F: +44 (0)20 7769 2524
    E: [email protected]
    W: www.plazaontheriver.co.uk

    As always, stay up-to-date with complete Quantum of Solace coverage at CommanderBond.net.

  3. James Bond Cameos For Guillermo del Toro And Alfonso Cuaron

    By Devin Zydel on 2008-10-23

    Top Mexican film directors Guillermo del Toro and Alfonso Cuarón have both managed cameo roles in the 22nd James Bond film, Quantum of Solace.

    In an interview with El Universal newspaper, director Marc Forster said he knows both of the directors and asked if they would lend their voices to members of a Bolivian army featured in the film.

    The Oscar-nominaed del Toro is probably best known for 2006’s Pan’s Labyrinth (he’s also helming the forthcoming Hobbit films). Cuarón, also an Academy Award nominee, has directed Children of Men and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

    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.

  4. Algerian Love Knot Returns In 'Quantum of Solace'

    By Devin Zydel on 2008-10-23

    As first reported on CommanderBond.net back in April, the Algerian Love Knot necklace–which Vesper Lynd wore throughout Casino Royale–is making a return in Daniel Craig’s second James Bond film, Quantum of Solace.

    The necklace, which is designed by Sophie Harley and connects together a very important plot element between Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace, became an instant hit with fans when it was made commercially available in late 2006. So much so that demand had actually exceeded supply for an extended period of time.

    Speaking to the Telegraph about its return for the 22nd Bond film, Harley said: ‘The producers did indicate that the necklace would be worn again in Quantum.’

    ‘Obviously, the producers were very strict about revealing the plot. But they told me that the necklace is the only thing that Bond has left of Vesper Lynd’s. In the trailer there is a shot of the necklace on a table just as Camille (Olga) asks Bond: “Do you love someone?”. “I do,” he replies.’

    The Bond loveknot necklace can currently be purchased at a cost of £1,939 with the original garnet earrings also available at £323 and £384. A much more affordable alternative, priced at £135 is an additional option for buyers.

    For further details, phone 020 7430 2070 or visit www.sophieharley.com.

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

  5. Bond Alumni Grill Daniel Craig

    By Matt Weston on 2008-10-23
    Daniel Craig as James Bond

    Daniel Craig as James Bond

    Are you as tired of reading the same old questions from journalists as Daniel Craig must be of answering them? Well, read on, as Time Out London have passed the interrogation rights to a select group of fans with a very special connection to the world of James Bond…

    Below are a handful of excerpts from the interview (a world first, in that it neither makes reference to Craig’s infamous blue trunks, nor does it idiotically fumble over the meaning of “Quantum of Solace”).

    This first question is from Richard Kiel, who played Jaws in The Spy Who Loved Me and Moonraker. He wants to know: how has being Bond changed your career? Have you been offered better roles because of it?

    Yes, there’s no doubt it’s changed things. It might have been different if we hadn’t had the success we did with Casino Royale. It could have been more, let’s say… interesting.

    I may not have been offered all the jobs that you’d expect, but I’ve definitely been shown stuff I wasn’t before. And it’s made me get more active about it. That’s what I’ve always done, gone looking for scripts, and this has given me that extra push. I made Defiance, a World War II film, last year with director Edward Zwick and alongside Liev Schreiber and Jamie Bell, which was one of those roles that just got plumly offered to me. I don’t think that would have happened before.

    Richard Kiel also wants to ask…

    …no, he can’t borrow my car.

    …who is your favourite male actor and have you tried to emulate him in any way?

    The answer’s no. Definitely not. I had a ton of people I admired [when I was starting out] but I was as fickle as I could possibly be. It depended on the movie I’d just seen. Literally. If I came running out of a movie, I was that person for at least ten or 15 minutes, I was as fickle as that. I didn’t care as long as they were cool and good in that movie. I admire people like Paul Newman, the great modern movie actors such as Robert Redford and Steve McQueen. Those guys were not only great actors but movie stars as well.

    This question is from Dame Stella Rimington, former head of MI6.

    F***ing hell! Have you got some people in your family?

    Have you ever met a real British intelligence officer and is your portrayal of Bond influenced in any way by that?

    Firstly, how would I know if I met a spy? Although I have met quite a few special forces guys who do a lot of covert work. On the whole, they’re easier to recognise as they look like they can kill. They give off an aura of violence.

    So no spy has ever approached you in solidarity?

    What? A nod and wink at me in a strange way? No. I’m not sure that’s the answer she’s looking for.

    Another question. Sandra Hebron, who runs the London Film Festival, would like to know how you feel about Quantum of Solace having its first public screening at the LFF on the same night [29 October] as the world premiere in Leicester Square?

    It’s great. It’s something that came up because the festival is on when we’re in Leicester Square. I don’t know why we’ve never done it before: it’s perfect to have a public screening on the same night as the premiere. I know the tickets will be a bit more expensive, but some of it will go to charity.

    You shot some of the new film in London. I spotted a scene at the Barbican.

    That was Marc [Forster, the director]’s choice. I’ve always liked the Barbican. It’s one of those very special, very London places. There was some opposition to us shooting there, but when you see it, it works. We don’t have “London, England” at the bottom of the screen, but it’s still obviously London – probably because it’s pissing with rain!

    Here’s Jonathan Pryce, who was the bad guy in Tomorrow Never Dies. Who was your favourite Welsh Bond villain?

    [Cracks up laughing] Was Robert Shaw Welsh? [He was from Lancashire.]

    There’s a Welsh theme emerging. This one’s from Shirley Bassey.

    Excellent! This is fantastic.

    She wants to know: Are you married?

    [Cracks up again, before going silent] I’m divorced.

    Oh God. On the back of that, how have you found the public interest that comes with playing Bond? You must have had to consider that when you took the plunge?

    Definitely. That was one of the many conversations I had with myself. When it came down to it, I decided to embrace the whole thing. There’s no point doing a Bond movie – or a $200 million movie – and hiding away for six months. You have to get out there and do it, instead of thinking: Oh, Christ, I don’t know if I can deal with this. But on the whole I’m doing the same thing I’ve always done and trying to keep as private as I possibly can. Certainly, I’ve tried to keep my family and friends far away from it and I feel their privacy is crucially important.

    This is from John Cleese: How tall do you think Bond should be?

    Bastard! Tell him to f*** off! Shorter than John Cleese! He’s about 6’5″, I think.

    And one from Ann Carter, the head of exhibitions at the Imperial War Museum which has an Ian Fleming show on at the moment: How far have you based your Bond on your on-screen predecessors?

    Not at all, really. Not deliberately. I sat and watched every movie religiously. And I still do, I have them all in the trailer. I’ve become a nerd, basically. I feel I need to, it’s part of what it is. But that was never the point. I could never start repeating it, I had to take it somewhere new. That said, I may start doing Sean Connery impressions in the next one, just for the hell of it.

    Here’s one from Charlie Higson, author of the Young Bond books: How much of Fleming’s Bond is there in Craig’s Bond?

    I hope a lot, but it’s subliminal. It’s about reading the books. What I wanted to do with Quantum of Solace – and what Marc wanted to do – was to draw on Fleming’s obsession with detail. He has two pages to describe making scrambled egg. Marc wanted to turn that into cinematic detail, so that just looking at the frame is sumptuous.

    Also, there’s a darkness in the book Casino Royale, there’s a fight in there. Here’s a man who’s incredibly reluctant to do what he does, which I think applied to Fleming too. He’d always have preferred to be at Goldeneye writing and taking gin fizzes at eleven o’clock in the morning. Wouldn’t we all?

    Here’s Sir Roger Moore. He wants to know: Who is your favourite Bond between Sean Connery and Timothy Dalton?

    [Roars with laughter] It’s you, Sir Roger! I’m a Connery fan, and he knows that. I’ve told lots of people. But I’ve got a big soft spot for Moore: Live and Let Die was the first movie I saw in the cinema with my dad. It was ridiculously camp – and then it just got camper.

    Have you had much dialogue with previous Bonds?

    I speak to Pierce occasionally. We’ve got the same publicist, so I might get on the phone with him when he’s on junkets: “Hello, you all right?”, “How’s it going?” He was really nice and encouraging when the whole thing kicked off.

    Sir Roger would also like to know if you’ll be buying his new autobiography?

    Probably. Can he not sign me a copy? I’ll buy it. You made these questions up! You could have made these questions up…

    Ian Fleming’s niece, Lucy Fleming, would like to know: As you are so fit, have you ever considered the Royal Marines commando course and earning the coveted green beret?

    No, I’ll leave that to that professionals. They always hurt me, the Royal Marines, my trainer is one. They haunt me.

    The Bond films are huge studio enterprises, but then there’s the family element: the Flemings and the books, the Broccolis and the film legacy. How does that play out for you?

    I don’t think Michael [G. Wilson] or Barbara [Broccoli] would mind me saying that the films are as close as you’ll get to making a Hollywood movie away from home, but the way it’s run is unique. It’s all because of them. It has total autonomy and their love of the product – the books – comes from Cubby and they guard it jealously. The Flemings are richer people because of the Broccolis, let’s put it that way. It’s a two-way street.

    The Broccolis have done a sterling job of keeping the films up-to-date in a world of Bourne and digital effects.

    It’s show business, let’s be honest. That’s what Cubby Broccoli and his co-producer Harry Saltzman were all about. Those early Bonds defined ’60s movies of that type because they went on location. They flew everybody to Tokyo, to Rio. We’ve continued that. It makes going to the cinema special. It’s event cinema.

    Twenty-two films on, it’s got to be hard to preserve that sense of wonder?

    It is, but that’s why Marc was so clever finding that Panama location. It’s a place called Colon, which is seriously depressed economically but wonderful, it’s one of those magical places. And that’s there on the screen. We also went to Chile. Marc pushed for that, he was so insistent on making the locations characters in this movie. Anything to keep it away from me, fine.

    Marc brought with him a lot of new talent. It seems there was a bit of a shake-up behind-the-scenes?

    It wasn’t a shake-up…

    But there were new editors, a new costume designer, production designer, director of photography…

    There was no aggressive move – but Marc came in and the timing was bang-on. They’ve done 21 Bond movies and we wanted to get a new look. It was so important to me that we didn’t just rehash Casino Royale.

    Yes, it’s a sequel, but we had to take risks and try to do something different. We had to get some new ideas, get fresh people in – people to share the panic with!

    Check out the rest of the interview, including questions from Louise Pointer, a croupier at Gala Casino, the owner of the Spymaster shop in Portman Square, the bar manager at Duke’s Hotel and Stephen Dorril, author of books on MI6 and British security.

    Quantum of Solace hits UK cinemas on 31 October and North American theatres on 14 November. In the meantime, keep your web browsers locked on CommanderBond.net for the latest, breaking James Bond news.

  6. 'Quantum of Solace' Chester Regional Screening Announced

    By Devin Zydel on 2008-10-23

    Bond is Back in Chester

    Regional Charity Gala Screening Brings Solace to Sealand

    The city of Chester has secured a star-studded regional advance charity screening of the new James Bond film starring Chester-born Daniel Craig.

    Chester is getting film fans shaken and stirred with the news that it will be holding an exclusive charity gala screening of the next Bond instalment, Quantum of Solace, a day before the film’s general release. Starring Chester-born Daniel Craig, the hotly anticipated 22nd Bond film Quantum of Solace, will be screened at Cineworld, Sealand Road on Thursday 30th October. This will be one of the first screenings of the film in the UK.

    Excitement about the charity screening will be huge following Daniel Craig’s attendance at the Royal World Premiere, in the presence of Princes William and Harry, on Wednesday 29th October.

    The champagne screening in Chester follows the success of the Casino Royale screening in the City in 2006. Money raised from tickets will go towards the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, which is one of Daniel Craig’s chosen charities. Celebrities who have been invited to the screening include stars of stage and screen, including actors from Coronation Street and Hollyoaks.

    Cllr Margaret Parker, Leader of Chester City Council, said:

    “Bringing Bond back to Chester is great news for the city, particularly in the current financial climate. Chester has faced stiff competition from Liverpool’s Capital of Culture and we hope this puts the city back on the map. It will be an exciting place to be in the run up to Christmas.”

    Organiser Jane Harrad-Roberts, Managing Director of Marketing Projects, added:

    “We have been working on this since June when I wrote to producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, Daniel Craig’s agents, Sony and Eon productions. We have invited Daniel Craig to this star-studded event but understand he is very busy. Nonetheless, the Chester screening will include guests arriving in Aston Martins, a champagne reception before the screening and an after-show party at Cruise.”

    Waltons of Chester will stage a prize draw at the advance screening, with the winner receiving an Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean, as worn by Daniel Craig in the film.

    The after-show party is being staged at Cruise, St. John Street where entrance is included in the price of the ticket.

    Tickets to the advance screening at Cineworld, Chaser Court, Greyhound Retail Park at 6.30pm for 7pm. cost £30 and to apply for tickets please email [email protected] with the number requested and your full contact details.

    Keep visiting the CommanderBond.net main page for the most up-to-date coverage of all the Quantum of Solace regional charity screenings.

  7. Stana Katic Calls 'Quantum' A Homage To Early James Bond Films

    By Devin Zydel on 2008-10-22

    Stana Katic gave a brief video interview to Hollyscoop about working on the 22nd James Bond film, Quantum of Solace.

    Katic, who stars as Corinne Veneau, an associate of the mysterious villain Yusef, called Quantum of Solace a ‘homage to old Bond films from the 1960’s. I think Marc Forster brings a realism to it and a suspense to it that a lot of audiences today will be looking forward to and be really shocked by.’

    Asked how she felt when she landed the role, Katic said: ‘My dad’s a real big Bond fan, so I’ve seen a lot of Bond movies. Sean Connery is just brilliant. Definitely, it was a real honour to play on a Bond film and to be able to play with Marc Forster, who is a brilliant director.’

    ‘Daniel Craig is very charming,’ she continued. ‘I think he’s got a greater sense of humour than a lot of people know about. He’s wonderful. He’s very, very sweet. He’s fantastic. A really, really, sweet gentleman.’

    Watch this interview online at Brightcove.

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

  8. James Bond In Stockholm

    By Guest writer on 2008-10-21

    Last Tuesday, a grand press event was held in Stockholm, Sweden to promote the upcoming release of Quantum of Solace.

    Prominent cast and crew members from the 22nd James Bond film attended the event, including actors Daniel Craig and Olga Kurylenko, director Marc Forster and producer Barbara Broccoli.

    Anders Frejdh of From Sweden With Love wrote a report on this event, which we are pleased to reproduce below.

    Written by: Anders Frejdh

    Daniel Craig On An Exclusive Promotion Visit In Stockholm

    'Quantum of Solace'

    Quantum of Solace

    Today Stockholm and Sweden had the honour of welcoming some of the personalities behind the upcoming James Bond film–Quantum of Solace–officially the 22nd film in the most successful film series ever.

    The actors Daniel Craig (“James Bond” for the second time on the big screen) and Olga Kurylenko (“Camille” in the film), director Marc Forster and producer Barbara Broccoli were here to promote the film and meet representatives from Scandinavian press. From Sweden With Love was there with a photographer at the special photo call that took place in the morning at Skeppskajen outside the luxury Grand Hotel at Djurgarden in Stockholm. Daniel arrived with his hand in a triangular bandage, greeted everyone with a polite “Good morning” and shined in the sunlight.

    The company arrived to Stockholm yesterday evening after flying in from Moscow where they, along with Anatole Taubman (who portrays “Elvis”) made a similar promotion event. After Stockholm, the group will travel to Los Angeles before the return to London for the world premiere on October 29 after which they will make another promotion tour around Europe.

    During the press junket in Sweden, journalists from the biggest newspapers in Sweden, Finland, Norway and Denmark had gathered and consequently made an indefinite number of interviews with primarily Daniel and Olga. No sensations were revealed, but Daniel Craig killed the rumour of a gay-James Bond as well as explained how difficult it was to be away from family and others he loves during four and a half months of the six-month period the shooting took. He has confirmed that he has signed for four Bond films but “I will do as many as I can”. Daniel also said that the biggest misunderstanding about him personally is that he lacks humour but Barbara Broccoli claimed that he’s a perfectionist and takes his job very seriously.

    On the question if there are similarities between James Bond and himself he laughed and initially stated the big difference “Bond kills people, which is his job. So, I don’t know. James Bond’s loyalty is fabulous and he struggles to do the right thing for the right cause–I also try that in my personal life and I guess that counts for everybody I suppose.”

    'Quantum of Solace'

    Quantum of Solace

    After the enormous sucess with Casino Royale (2006), expectations are high for this year’s film but discussions are already going whether or not Daniel Craig could be the best actor who has ever portrayed James Bond. It seems Quantum of Solace will become the shortest Bond film so far with its 106 minutes, but all the hard work during production will hopefully turn out positive according to Daniel Craig: “I have followed the film during all stages when it was made and so to see it the other day was a relief because it turned out it was worthy of all the work put in it. Of course, I don’t know how it will be received by audiences but I am very pleased with the result.” At the same time, Barbara Broccoli was asked about the future of Bond, upon she commented it’s completely open-ended.

    Quantum of Solace starts right after the previous film Casino Royale ends. The screenplay is by Neal Purvis & Robert Wade and Paul Haggis. The title song is made by the American-born artists Jack White and Alicia Keys.

    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.

  9. 'Quantum' Organisation To Return In Future James Bond Films

    By Devin Zydel on 2008-10-21
    Mads Mikkelsen is Le Chiffre

    Mads Mikkelsen is Le Chiffre

    The worldwide network of villians in Quantum of Solace and Casino Royale known as Quantum are going to be a thorn in 007’s side for quite some time.

    Reelz Channel reports that the slippery organisation is expected to return in future James Bond films following Quantum of Solace.

    Producer Barbara Broccoli confirmed this at a press conference yesterday, saying ‘that’s the plan’.

    Mathieu Amalric is Dominic Greene

    Mathieu Amalric is Dominic Greene

    Bond fans will recall that there were early rumours that the Quantum organisation, which includes Le Chiffre, Dominic Greene and Mr. White, was destined to become a modern-day SPECTRE.

    Composer David Arnold previously said of the organisation: ‘[It’s] sort of all-pervasive and kind of has slippery, oily tentacles in lots of different places where you hadn’t expected them to be…’

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

  10. SPOILERS: The Original 'Quantum of Solace' Cliffhanger Ending

    By Devin Zydel on 2008-10-21

    WARNING: Spoilers

    It appears that Quantum of Solace was perhaps not always destined to be the shortest James Bond film ever.

    Jesper Christensen is Mr. White

    Original Quantum of Solace ending featured Jesper Christensen’s ‘Mr. White’

    In an article posted at Reelz Channel, director Marc Forster has spilled details regarding his orignal, cliffhanger ending for the film.

    Speaking at a publicity press conference, the Swiss director said: ‘There was a scene after where the movie ends now. The movie felt sort of complete with Bond finding his “quantum of solace.” If I would have kept the scene, then producers wouldn’t have had a choice but to make it a trilogy. Now they can start new. They have that opportunity.’

    Forster went on to say that the deleted scene runs over a minute in length and is currently planned to be included on the Quantum of Solace Blu-ray/DVD release (which is expected around March 2009).

    He said: ‘Let’s put it this way: Bond encounters Mr. White at the end of that scene,’–hinting perhaps that Mr. White, first seen in Casino Royale may have an integral role in the Quantum organization?–‘You wouldn’t have had a choice at the end of that but to follow that lead.’

    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.