'Quantum of Solace' – Official Blog Report #6

The official Quantum of Solace blog has been updated today with another crew member from the 22nd James Bond film: helicopter pilot Cliff Flemming.

Working as part of the Bond film’s aerial unit in Mexico, Flemming describes his job as a ‘helicopter support pilot and camera pilot.’

‘We support the ground cameras by carrying them and their crew out into position. We swingload nets full of camera and survival equipment in case for some reason we can’t get them off the top of the mountains.’

Flemming added that some of the filming sites on Quantum of Solace were so remote that the helicopters became the only way to access them.

Stay tuned to the CommanderBond.net main page for the most up-to-date and complete coverage of Quantum of Solace.

Daniel Craig Reportedly Insured For Nearly $10 Million

Daniel Craig is reportedly being insured for as much as $10 million dollars for his work on the 22nd James Bond film.

In an article posted at Showbiz Spy, a Quantum of Solace insider states that the producers are taking no chances when it comes to stunt and action-filled production.

The insider said: ‘It’s fair to say that with this movie, Daniel’s insurance premiums have gone through the roof. I can’t say for sure how much but there has been talk of him being insured for at least a few million [pounds], even five.’

‘On Casino Royale Daniel did as many stunts as he could and he’s been doing the same with Quantum.’

‘But the stakes are a lot higher on this movie especially as there are a lot more action sequences.’

A previous quote from Craig only confirms the actor’s desire to keep things as real as possibe when it comes to the stunts: ‘I love having that adrenaline rush. It makes you realize that you are mortal and that life must be enjoyed.’

Stay tuned to the CommanderBond.net main page for the most up-to-date and complete coverage of Quantum of Solace.

'Quantum' Spy Shots Of Craig And Kurylenko

Several photographs from the Quantum of Solace filming in Panama a few weeks ago have made their way online.

As Bond fans will recall, an action sequence involving 007 and Olga Kurylenko’s ‘Camille’ on a boat was filmed.

The photographs follow:

Click To View:
1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5

6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10

11 / 12 / 13 / 14 / 15 / 16

17 / 18 / 19 / 20 / 21 / 22

Stay tuned to the CommanderBond.net main page for the most up-to-date and complete coverage of Quantum of Solace.

Mark Ronson Confirms Amy Winehouse Bond Theme Rumours

Back and forth. Back and forth.

Amy Winehouse was first rumoured to be performing the next James Bond title theme in late 2006 (a rumour that has stuck like glue to the Quantum of Solace production ever since).

Then The Sun said she had the job. Then a spokesperson denied it.

Now, producer Mark Ronson has shed some light on the matter in an interview with BBC 6 Music, confirming that Winehouse is indeed working with himself on a 007 title theme–but that there are currently no guarentees the track will be used as they haven’t officially been signed to the job.

‘Hopefully it will get used. We’re working on it and we’ll see happens,’ said Ronson, who is also working with Winehouse on her next album.

Mentioning that Winehouse was first approached about the possibility of a Bond theme, Ronson said: ‘They asked Amy, and I think Amy said that if she did it, she’d want to do it with me. So hopefully something will come of it.’

‘The demo sounds like a James Bond theme, hopefully. But I don’t know if it’ll get used.’

He added: “I’m sure there are loads more really famous people that probably we’re competing with and we don’t know about. I’m not sure.’

‘But hopefully I’ll still be alive for at least 12 more Bond themes. If we don’t get this one maybe we’ll get another one.’

As fans will recall, producer Michael G. Wilson kept the Winehouse rumour mill going in a recent Total Film magazine issue when he said that she ‘could wonderful job. We’ll have to wait and see if she can do it.’

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

SPOILERS: Connecting 'Quantum' To 'Casino' With The Algerian Love Knot

WARNING: MAJOR SPOILERS

Earlier this month, the Sunday Tribune reported that British actor Simon Kassianides had joined the cast of Quantum of Solace.

This news was shortly followed by reports that Canadian film and television actress Stana Katic had also joined the cast as vixen ‘Corinne Veneau’.

Sources for CommanderBond.net can now reveal that Kassianides, who is playing a character named ‘Yusef’, is expected to have a confrontation with James Bond in Moscow towards the end of the film. What is key to note regarding this scene is that Yusef will be carrying an Algerian Love Knot similar to the one Bond has in his possession from Casino Royale‘s Vesper Lynd.

The character of Corinne Veneau is also expected to be present in this scene, although it is unclear at this time exactly what role she will be playing.

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

Spy Video From 'Quantum of Solace' Lake Garda Press Conference

A video has appeared online at YouTube highlighting the recent Quantum of Solace press conference which took place at Lake Garda, Italy last weekend.

As previously reported, the event featured second unit director Dan Bradley, executive producer Anthony Waye and line producer Guido Cerasuolo in attendance.

The video first shows off one of the Aston Martin DBS vehicles that was used in the filming of the car chase involving James Bond that will open the film.

Viewers also get a first-hand look at the winding roads between Malcesine, Limone and Tremosine where the cars will be racing thanks to a camera mounted on the DBS.

The recent crash on the 007 set involving one of the cars ramming into a filming lorry and then into a wall took place in the same general area.

Watch online:

Stay tuned to the CommanderBond.net main page for the most up-to-date and complete coverage of Quantum of Solace.

'Quantum of Solace' Moves To Tuscany's Tower Of Talamonaccio

Daniel Craig is James Bond in Quantum of Solace

The Quantum of Solace production has moved to the luxurious Tuscan Tower of Talamonaccio.

The Tower of Talamonaccio (photographs can be viewed here and here) was originally built by the Spanish as a defence against Saracen invasions.

It has since been transformed into a stylish villa available for rental throughout the year.

According to reports from La Nazione – Massa Carrara earlier in the month, this location was personally chosen for the 22nd James Bond film by producer Barbara Broccoli.

Filming is expected to involve Daniel Craig, Olga Kurylenko and Giancarlo Giannini. A scene involving 007 and Camille arriving at the tower by yacht to meet with Mathis will reportedly be shot.

Other tidbits mentioned were that the Bond production will only be filming inside the tower and that there won’t be any local extras required.

A more recent article from La Nazione stated that filming is expected to last from 25 April to (at least) the 27th. A ‘short, but intense’ scene will be filmed.

Stay tuned to the CommanderBond.net main page for the most up-to-date and complete coverage of Quantum of Solace.

Stuntman Involved In 'Quantum' Car Crash In Stable Condition

Following up the serious car crash that occurred on the Lake Garda Quantum of Solace set this past Wednesday, the BBC News report that the stuntman is now in stable condition.

Greek stuntdriver Aris Comninos suffered a fractured cranium after his Alfa Romeo 159 rammed into a filming lorry and then crashed into a nearby wall. He was was immediately flown by helicopter to the Borgo Trento hospital in Verona.

‘He is still in hospital in a stable condition and doing as well as can be expected,’ a film spokesman said.

Readers can get a look at the site of the crash and the damaged vehicle in a video posted at the BBC’s website.

Filming on the 22nd James Bond film was shut down on Thursday to allow local police the string of incidents that have occurred on the set (which also include an Aston Martin plunging into Lake Garda this past Saturday).

Stay tuned to the CommanderBond.net main page for the most up-to-date and complete coverage of Quantum of Solace.

'Quantum' Filming Suspended In Italy; Accident Investigations Ongoing

Following up a string of incidents involving the vehicles being used for the shooting of the Quantum of Solace opening chase, filming has been temporarily suspended.

The Telegraph reports that shooting was halted on the James Bond set at Lake Garda, Italy in order to allow the police to investigate the incidents.

The first of the accidents (which took place this past Saturday) involved an Aston Martin DBS losing control on a lakeside road and plunging into the lake. The driver, Fraser Dunn, managed to escape after riding inside the car to the bottom. He was treated at a hospital for minor injuries.

A second incident followed on Monday involving a stuntman during the car chase filming.

Most recently was yesterday’s incident where one of the vehicles on set collided with a lorry and then crashed into a wall. The driver, Greek stuntman Aris Comninos suffered a fractured cranium and was immediately flown by helicopter to the Borgo Trento hospital in Verona.

A photograph of the crash scene can be viewed at The Sun.

His co-driver, Bruno Verdirosi, was also flown to the hospital, but is not said to be in a serious condition.

Comninos, who previously worked on the 1997 Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies, is now said to be in stable condition. ‘He is doing as well as can be expected,’ said a spokesperson for the family.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for Eon Productions stated that he did not know if filming would continue following the investigation as this latest incident occurred on the penultimate day of the shoot. He also shot down the notion of the production being cursed or jinxed, stating that the suggestions were ‘ridiculous’.

An AP photographer viewed workers packing up equipment and cars earlier today on the 007 set. No comments were given.

The Eon statement also noted that director Marc Forster, nor any of the film’s cast members, including Daniel Craig, were at the location at the time.

A spokesman for the town Limone sul Garda, where the Bond production has been partly based, commented on the location of the incidents. ‘They chose this road because it is full of curves and tunnels,’ said Marco Girardi. ‘It will give the film a lot of impact.’

Stay tuned to the CommanderBond.net main page for the most up-to-date and complete coverage of Quantum of Solace.

Second Car Crash On 'Quantum of Solace' Set In Italy

A second major incident involving the car chase currently being filmed at Lake Garda, Italy for Quantum of Solace has taken place.

According to a report posted at Trentino, a Greek stuntman has ended up in intensive care with head injuries after one of the vehicles being used on the James Bond set rammed into a filming lorry and then into a nearby wall.

No Solace For Bond Stuntman After Second Crash

The shooting of the latest James Bond film Quantum of Solace is proving dangerous for stuntmen after a second crash Wednesday in just five days left one daredevil in intensive care.

The accident happened when the car used by two stuntmen rammed into a filming lorry and then into a wall on set near the picturesque Lake Garda in northern Italy, ANSA news agency reported.

One of the two men, a Greek national, ended up in intensive care in a hospital in the nearby town of Verona.

This was not the first accident to befall the crew in recent days after a Bond stunt driver crashed 007’s famous Aston Martin DBS into Lake Garda ahead of filming on Saturday.

The unnamed driver was taking the car on to the set when he lost control of the vehicle for reasons yet to be established and plunged into the lake.

Sky Italia TV pictures later showed the car being winched back on to dry land, with ANSA reporting that the stuntman — quickly rescued by firemen — escaped with only minor bruising.

A source said the car was the only one available for shooting, which has so far seen the crew move from England to Panama, Chile and Mexico. A further location trip to Spain is planned.

Quantum of Solace, the second Bond film to feature 40-year-old British actor Daniel Craig as the suave secret agent is set to be released later this year. The film picks up where the last instalment Casino Royale left off.

A photograph of the crash scene can be viewed at The Sun.

The Trentino report notes that there were actually two vehicles involved, both of them Alfa Romeo 159s (which are being used as the cars for the villains in the scene).

The first of the two vehicles, with dummies inside, was intended to crash into the lorry, but not the second (with the stuntman behind the wheel). Apparently, the first car managed to get dragged by the lorry, thereby causing the crash with the second.

The stuntman reportedly had surgery for his injures. More information is expected to be released following a hospital visit by Quantum of Solace second unit director Dan Bradley.

This news follows up a similar incident only a few days ago involving an Aston Martin DBS flying off a lakeside road into the lake after losing control.

Stay tuned to the CommanderBond.net main page for the most up-to-date and complete coverage of Quantum of Solace.