Variety: 'Quantum' Budget A Leap Above Previous Bonds

An article about studio financing in yesterday’s edition of trade paper Variety contained a small nugget about the big budget of the latest James Bond film.

According to the article, Quantum Of Solace, Daniel Craig’s second outing as Agent 007, will cost an epic $230 million to produce. The report claims half of this amount will be provided by MGM’s stakeholders.

James Bond fans on the CBn Forums are speculating the immense figure may take into account marketing, merchandising and other incidental costs that are not typically included in a motion picture’s budgetary statistic.

The budget of Casino Royale was said to be slightly north of $100 million – the film earned just over $594 million at the box office after its release in 2006.

Keep watching CommanderBond.net for the most up-to-date Quantum Of Solace news on the web.

New Interview With 'Quantum' Villains Anatole Taubman And Mathieu Amalric

Continuing on from The Insider’s Quantum of Solace set visit from two weeks ago, a newly posted video on their website features interviews with the film’s villains, Mathieu Amalric and Anatole Taubman.

James Bond fans get a first look at Taubman in the film, who is sporting a very different haircut as the main henchman, Elvis.

‘I think this has largely to do with the script,’ said Taubman when asked about the multi-layered villains that will be featured in this Bond film.

When asked if moviegoers will be shocked by what Quantum of Solace brings to the 007 series, Taubman replied: ‘In a positive way. They’ll be very, very surprised. Seriously.’

Mathieu Amalric, who plays lead villain Dominic Greene, also spoke about the film: ‘In Casino Royale for instance, they started something that is quite realistic about the times in which we are living in and I think this film, Quantum of Solace, is continuing in this vein.’

‘What could be a villain today? Maybe it’s somebody you don’t guess is a villain immediately. They’re just like wallpaper. You don’t know where the threads can come from.’

Taubman was also asked about working with Daniel Craig. ‘We just met not long ago,’ he said, ‘but he would be a guy that could probably be a very, very dear best friend. He’s fantastic. Very professional and very modest. Golden at heart.’

Click here to watch the full two-minute video interview online.

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

James Bond's Omega Seamaster Is Back… In Black

Since 1995’s GoldenEye, James Bond has turned to Omega when it came to choosing his timepiece.

In July of this year, Omega will be releasing a brand new limited edition 007 Seamaster Diver 300m watch. A preview photograph can be viewed at Style.com.

Omega will be producing 10,007 of them at the price to be announced.

While many Bond fans are expecting Omega to be back for Quantum of Solace, no official details (including those regarding whether this new limited edition will be featured) have been revealed as of yet.

Much more information follows in this release from TimeGeeks:

James Bond 007 Collector’s Piece Is Back… In Black

OMEGA presents the new version of the Seamaster Diver 300m James Bond which collectors and fans have treasured since 1995.

For the past decade, Her Majesty’s Secret Service agent 007 has been wearing an OMEGA Seamaster watch. Fans of the iconic spy, along with enthusiasts of fine watches, wait in anticipation of each new version of the timepiece.

Their patience will soon be rewarded. OMEGA will be releasing a special update of the incredibly popular Seamaster Diver 300m James Bond watch which has been worn by 007 since GoldenEye.

The James Bond 007 Collector’s Piece is the most elegant version yet and the next step in the evolution of the Seamaster Diver 300m James Bond watches.

Anyone familiar with the classic James Bond’s watch with its trademark blue bezel will be in for some surprises!

Visually striking, the James Bond 007 Collector’s Piece features a polished, lacquered black dial with black gold plated hour markers filled with white Super-LumiNova. The luminous hour and minute hands are also plated with black gold. The watch has a central seconds hand with a red tip and a red “007” logo as a counterweight which rotates in stark contrast to its black dial. Only 10,007 pieces of this exclusive Seamaster will be produced. Paying tribute to OMEGA’s long partnership with the world’s favourite secret agent, it is destined to be an instant collector’s item.

The watch has a distinctive polished and brushed stainless steel case with a diameter of 41 mm. Its specially-designed bracelet is unique to the James Bond watches and is one of the features which makes them immediately recognisable. The watch has a scratch-resistant, anti-reflective domed crystal.

The James Bond 007 Collector’s Piece is not only aesthetically dazzling. James Bond would be disappointed with any technology that wasn’t the most advanced in the world and this watch meets his most exacting demands. It features OMEGA’s calibre 2500 self-winding movement fitted with the revolutionary Co-Axial Escapement, which reduces friction while offering better long-term accuracy, and it has a power reserve of 48 hours. Its free-sprung balance further increases the precision.
The watch is a certified chronometer with functions essential to professional divers. Its screw-in case back (with a “007” medallion) and stainless steel screw-in crown featuring an OMEGA logo ensure water resistance. The watch also has a unidirectional rotating bezel with a distinctive black aluminium ring. A helium escape valve allows helium atoms to escape during decompression, particularly useful for professional divers operating from diving bells. As its name suggests, the watch is water resistant up to 300 metres.

The presentation case is nearly as striking as the watch itself. Crafted from black leather, its black interior calls to mind the lining of the tuxedos which are as synonymous to Bond as the OMEGA Seamaster Diver 300m watches he’s been wearing for more than a decade.

While some of the advanced features will appeal particularly to divers, the James Bond 007 Collector’s Piece will prove irresistible to fans of 007 and to anyone interested in elegant, distinctive, state-of-the-technology watches.

The newest film, Quantum Of Solace, produced by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli for EON Productions and directed by Marc Forster, will be released internationally in November 2008. Daniel Craig will reprise his role as James Bond for this 22nd film in the Bond series.

Keep watching CommanderBond.net for all the latest James Bond coverage.

French Canadian And Italian 'Quantum of Solace' Title Translations

When Quantum of Solace was first announced as the title of the 22nd James Bond film, many fans brought up the point that the title may not lend easily lend itself to foreign translations throughout the world.

Now it appears that the first couple foreign titles for this 007 film have been revealed.

According to the official Italian Sony Pictures website, the film will be titled ‘007 Quantum.’

Meanwhile, Buzzline.fr are reporting that the film will be titled ‘Source de réconfort.’ This translation has not yet been confirmed on the Sony Pictures Canada website.

CommanderBond.net will keep you updated as more foreign title translations are revealed.

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

Paul Haggis On Directing A Bond Film

Paul Haggis recently spoke to IGN about working on the James Bond films and the possibility that he’d ever get the chance to sit in the director’s chair on one of them.

‘Look what Martin [Campbell] did with Casino Royale, he shot for 120 days, it’s so difficult to do something like that and I’m not sure that I’m up for that Herculean feat. When I’ve made four or five films I’d like to do a Bond film, or something like that.’

‘I love writing Bond, it’s fun,’ continued the Casino Royale/Quantum of Solace screenwriter. ‘I get to be part of a team, who are re-exploring the classic character, reinventing something that I loved when I was young.’

Fans will recall that Haggis was offered to direct Daniel Craig’s second 007 film, but turned it down. Back in July of last year, he said: ‘There are certain things you can write and there are certain things you can direct. I just felt that it takes a big commitment to direct a Bond film. It’s a 120 day shoot. It’s a two year commitment basically to do it. If you do that on top of writing, it’s almost a three year commitment. So I just didn’t want to dedicate that much time.’

Outside of Bond, Haggis most recently directed 2007’s In The Valley Of Elah, a drama starring Tommy Lee Jones and Charlize Theron. His 2004 drama, Crash, won the 2005 Best Picture Academy Award.

Keep watching the CommanderBond.net main page for the most up-to-date coverage of Quantum of Solace.

Daniel Craig Given Personal Gym On Bond Set At Pinewood

Daniel Craig has reportedly been given his own personal gymnasium on the Quantum of Solace set in Pinewood Studios in London in order to keep in shape for the 22nd James Bond adventure.

The Sun reports that the gym includes rings, a trampoline and massage tables for Craig.

‘Daniel is facing a long stint filming the new Bond in Pinewood Studios,’ said an unnamed source at the 007 set. ‘Producers have allocated a soundstage of his own to use as his personal gym.’

‘It is full of freeweights, ropes and rings, as well as a running machine, trampolines and crash mats. He has an adjoining massage room with his own chill-out area where he will have a physio on call.’

‘The stuntmen on the film are all really impressed by Daniel,’ the source continued. ‘He throws himself into training and likes to make sure he is at the peak of physical fitness while filming Bond.’

‘The “crucifixion” move on the rings is regarded as one of the toughest for a male athlete in any sport. It’s the ultimate test of strength and control. Daniel is close to mastering it.’

Back in late January, CommanderBond.net reported that five soundstages were being used simultaneously for the Quantum of Solace production.

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

Official 'Quantum of Solace' Trailer Coming 2 July

According to Ain’t It Cool News, an official Quantum of Solace trailer will be attached to Sony Pictures’ Hancock, a superhero comedy starring Will Smith, Jason Bateman and Charlize Theron. Hancock hits cinemas on 2 July in the United Kingdom and the United States.

It’s unclear whether the trailer will be a teaser or a theatrical. The teaser trailer for Casino Royale was released in May 2006 so it’s possible that the 2 July trailer will be the second and that we’ll get a teaser in the spring.

Filming will be nearly completed in July so there will be a lot of good footage ready for the trailer regardless of whether it’s a teaser or a theatrical trailer.

Keep your eyes on the CommanderBond.net main page for all the latest news and complete coverage of Quantum of Solace.

'Quantum of Solace' Website Updated

The official James Bond website for Quantum of Solace, www.007.com, has been updated.

In addition to the previously available content, the website now features the classified 007 dossier (which was first revealed on the Casino Royale website) and a Bond trivia challenge.

Furthermore, Bond fans can participate in an online version of 007 Scene It?, which features clips from the films, trivia questions and other on-screen puzzlers.

Check them out at www.007.com.

Keep your eyes on the CommanderBond.net main page for all the latest news and complete coverage of Quantum of Solace.

Tom Ford Dresses 007 For 'Quantum of Solace'

According to The Times, Tom Ford International will be dressing Daniel Craig for the actor’s second James Bond film, Quantum of Solace.

The American fashion designer’s name was first mentioned (briefly) in the Entertainment Tonight preview and Bond set visit, which aired on television two weeks ago.

Italian company Brioni previously dressed Pierce Brosnan for all four of his 007 films as well as Craig for his debut in 2006’s Casino Royale.

‘The Bond franchise is a very unusual thing,’ said Lindy Hemming, who was the costumer designer from GoldenEye through Casino Royale (Louise Frogley replaces her for Quantum of Solace). ‘I’m not sure I properly realised it at first. These are films that are going to be watched for ever and ever. You need to watch out for the clothes. You need to make sure they can be looked at for years and years without looking too… fashion. With Roger Moore, I think the decision was taken to be fashionable. We laugh at it now, but I’m sure it all looked good at the time.’

Claiming Timothy Dalton’s Bond dressed like an off-duty policeman, Hemming wanted something different when Pierce Brosnan took over the role in 1995. ‘More modern. More European. Classic and beautifully tailored, but not so ex-military,’ she said.

Hemming went on to mention that she considered various European designers, including Armani, before finally choosing Brioni. ‘I was taken to the factory to see how they were made. They were absolutely open to any sort of idea. They have a lifetime of making clothes for presidents and politicians, and they don’t have that thing that they can’t change what is going on. Whether it be 13 inside pockets, or one jacket with no vents and another that needs to open down the back. Some other companies are like elephants. They take a long time to change direction.’

‘Our tailors would go to London for all the fittings,’ said Brioni co-chief executive Antonella De Simone. ‘Bond has always been an icon of style and sartorial elegance. And we dressed other characters, too. Mrs Moneypenny. In Casino Royale, everybody at that casino table was dressed by Brioni. And these were very strange guys. A big black man, a fat man, the models. All the people on the table.’

One thing both Hemming and Brioni insisted upon was that no money changed hands throughout the 11-year association between Bond and the fashion company.

‘This is not our policy,’ said De Simone. ‘We were chosen for our art, never for money. We want to be discreet and elegant. Outside the glamour and the noise.’

As several Bond collectors will already be aware, besides the odd film still, there was never a Brioni advertisement specifically featuring Brosnan or Craig. The only exception came in late 2006 around the release of Casino Royale when the company unveiled a £3,000 tuxedo with a stitched ‘James Bond’ included in the silver lining.

Why the switch from Brioni to Tom Ford occurred isn’t quite clear to all the parties involved, but The Times article does point out that the departure of Brioni chief executive Umberto Angeloni occurred during the same time frame last year when Frogley replaced Hemming for Quantum of Solace.

British-based company Dunhill was also previously reported several times to be involved with Craig’s second Bond adventure. Craig himself wore a Dunhill dinner jacket to the premiere of Casino Royale.

When questioned, a spokesperson for the company said: ‘Nothing has been confirmed. Although there’s a possibility that it won’t be us.’

Officially, Tom Ford was even more quiet on the matter. ‘No comment’ was the spokesperson’s reply to the request for info from The Times.

Keep your eyes on the CommanderBond.net main page for all the latest news and complete coverage of Quantum of Solace.

Giancarlo Giannini Finishes Panama Filming; Compares 'Quantum' To 'Casino'

Giancarlo Giannini has finished filming his scenes as René Mathis in Panama for Quantum of Solace.

According to online magazine Tandem, the Italian actor, who made his first appearance in the James Bond series along with Daniel Craig in 2006’s Casino Royale, discussed what makes the 22nd 007 film stand out when compared with previous adventures.

‘Bond becomes less cold, simpler; he rediscovers his sentimentality,’ Giannini said. ‘This can also be seen in the Bond Girls. They are still beautiful but less unattainable.’

‘I really like the atmosphere on the set,’ he added. ‘Since I’m not always working on films, it’s even relaxing. Compared to [Casino Royale‘s] Martin Campbell who specializes in action scenes, Quantum of Solace director Marc Forster is different. He works a lot with an actor’s ability to act. We talk a lot. He knows my films well and especially loves Pasqualino Settebellezze.’

Giannini went on to say that the story of the film, ‘will present many connections with reality and the conflicts we are seeing today.’

For those that do check out the entire Tandem article, make note of the fact that it mentions Al Pacino will feature in the film as a villain and that Australia is included as one of the locations–both of these claims are completely untrue.

Keep your eyes on the CommanderBond.net main page for all the latest news and complete coverage of Quantum of Solace.