Bond 22: Currently No Finished Script; Planned To Open Against 'Madagascar 2'

With the DVD release of Casino Royale having come and gone, the main focus of many upcoming James Bond-related articles will be on Daniel Craig’s next film: Bond 22.

Jeff Blake, Vice Chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment and Chairman of Marketing and Distribution for the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, recently spoke to the Los Angeles Times about securing the most desirable opening weekends for films. He also briefly mentioned the status of the 22nd 007 adventure: there is no official title yet or a finished script. But, ‘two things are definite: Daniel Craig is returning, and we’re going November 7. After that it gets complicated.’

Taking a look ahead at what is currently scheduled to hit theaters in November 2008, it’s possible we have an answer as to why Bond 22 will be out earlier in November (the three previous Bond films have been released in the second half of the month): Harry Potter. The sixth film in the hugely popular series, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, is planned to be released on 21 November.

However, that doesn’t mean Bond will be avoiding all competition. In the case of Casino Royale‘s US opening, Bond went up against Happy Feet‘s penguins at the box office. For Bond 22, it will be zoo animals this time, as the animated sequel Madagascar 2 is also planned for a 7 November release. The first film, released in mid-2005, eventually took in over $530 million worldwide.

Stay tuned to CBn for further coverage of Bond 22.

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Will Martin Campbell Return?

Despite making quite a bit of noise to the contrary, Casino Royale director Martin Campbell has hinted a return to the James Bond franchise may be on the cards after all.

Speaking to USA Today to promote the DVD release of Daniel Craig’s first 007 film, Campbell said, “After GoldenEye, I was asked to do subsequent Bonds, but I declined because it felt as if I’d be repeating myself. But this one is based on a Bond that’s more interesting. To be honest, I would just say I’d never say never.”

Having also directed GoldenEye in 1995, Martin Campbell was the first director to return to the franchise since John Glen’s five-film run in the 1980s. Casino Royale was widely praised as the best Bond film in years, garnering a haul of awards nominations.

Campbell also revealed a second DVD of Casino Royale will eventually appear. When quizzed about the lack of commentaries on the current Casino Royale DVD release, Campbell said, “Yes, we are doing a commentary. I think [the studio] tends to milk these things [with Bond films]. When I did GoldenEye, I did it with the producer [Michael G. Wilson]. We’ll probably do it with [the producers].”

He also revealed the next DVD release may include deleted scenes.

The full interview, in which Campbell discusses casting Casino Royale, the film’s stunts and how he compared the experience to helming GoldenEye, is available on the USA Today website.

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Peter Lamont Briefly Discusses 'Bond 22'

According to a report from JamesBond-fr.com, production designer Peter Lamont briefly discussed the current Bond 22 situation while attending the Valenciennes Festival du Film in France–which was holding a tribute to Pinewood Studios from 13-18 March.

At the moment, pre-production on the next official James Bond 007 film is definitely in the beginning stages. Producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli have held several meetings with writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade–most likely to brainstorm ideas for the Bond 22 script.

Lamont also agreed with what has been reported in the past regarding Bond 22, it will indeed be a direct continuation of the events started in Casino Royale.

Bond 22 is set for release on 7 November 2008.

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Ford Sells Aston Martin In $924 Million Deal

According to a report from the BBC, Ford has sold Aston Martin for £479 million ($924 million) to the motorsport firm, Prodrive, which is heading the UK-led consortium that is buying the company.

Ford will hang onto a £40 million stake in the company and Aston Martin will remain at its purpose-built factory in Gaydon in Warwickshire, employing over 1,800 people.

‘This is an incredible opportunity–Aston Martin is one of the world’s most iconic brands,’ said Dave Richards, who heads the Prodrive company. ‘We are confident we now have all the right ingredients to take Aston Martin to even greater heights.’

John Sinders, a banker in finance and shipping who is also in the consortium, said, ‘The dream for me was to own an Aston Martin, never to own part of the company. It’s a dream come true.’ Two Kuwaiti companies–Investment Dar and Adeem Investment–are addtionally involved.

The partnership was ‘a tremendously exciting opportunity,’ said Aston Martin chief executive Ulrich Bez. ‘It is a new beginning which will give the company the opportunity to attain an even higher level of excellence. This next stage in the company’s history promises to be the most exciting yet.’

With this sale finally taking place, many James Bond fans are wondering how this will affect Bond 22 and future 007 films. Be sure to voice your opinion on the CBn Forums.

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'Bond 22' Rumour: Abbie Cornish Talking To 007 Producers?

IGN reports that Australian actress Abbie Cornish is rumoured to be one of the contenders for the Bond girl role in 2008’s Bond 22.

In an article published in Australian magazine New Idea, a source citing an unnamed studio insider said: ‘Abbie is perfect because she is not familiar to film audiences, but at the same time people have become intrigued by her. She may not have enjoyed being caught up in a scandal [referring to a supposed affair with Stop Loss co-star Ryan Phillippe] at the time but it certainly helped her profile.’

The magazine also notes that Cornish will supposedly be flying to Singapore for a meeting with James Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson.

It’s important to note that all Bond 22 rumours this early on should be taken with a grain of salt. Time will tell…

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Early 'Bond 22' Rumour: Goran Visnjic As The Villain?

***Possible Spoilers***

With the release of Bond 22 less than two years away, now is the primetime for the seemingly endless supply of rumours.

First posted on the CommanderBond.net Forums by ‘smartz,’ a Croatian film magazine has reportedly revealed that Goran Visnjic (who was one of the many candidates suggested for the role of James Bond in Casino Royale) is set to play the villain in Bond 22. The full quote:

Apparently when auditioning for Bond in Casino Royale, Goran Visnjic did such a good job he burned into the minds of the EON psyche. So powerful was his performance that he single handly won the role of next Bond Baddie in the upcoming Bond 22 film with Daniel Craig. It is rumoured that Goran’s agent has confirmed the star is working on something massive and will be taking a well earned break from ER in late 2007. It is rumoured that Goran will be playing Vesper Lynd’s former love interest and that his role will be sizable, meanacing and significant to the plot of the upcoming Bond adventure. Bond 22 is continuation of Casino Royale and will be forming a trilogy story for Daniel Craig’s rough and tough Bond.

At this stage, anything is possible, so keep in mind this is just one of many rumours out there. Time will tell…

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Why Michell Moved On From Bond

‘We couldn’t find a way of making us all happy with the script.’

In an interview with HIT – relayed through Moviehole.net – director Roger Michell has spoken out on why he turned down the opportunity to reunite with Daniel Craig on the 22nd James Bond picture.

Michell, who first worked with Craig on Enduring Love, was linked to the film in July 2006 before leaving in August, citing “creative differences”.

Talking to HIT, Michell said, “We couldn’t find a way of making us all happy with the script. It’s been through various drafts, but I just decided to say no before I got too far into it.”

As far as Michell is aware, the job of helming the sequel to Casino Royale is “absolutely up for grabs at the moment”.

Earlier this year, Michell revealed that the film’s timeline – which may have seen Bond 22 released in 2007 – as being too tight.

From a script by Casino Royale writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, Bond 22 is due to be released on 7 November 2008.

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Martin Campbell Not Planning On 'Bond 22' Return

Back in July 2006, CBn reported that Martin Campbell was not planning to return to direct Bond 22.

While working on Casino Royale at the time, Campbell cited the monumental workload required as being one of the reasons he wasn’t planning on coming back for Daniel Craig’s second James Bond film.

In a recent interview during the premiere of Casino Royale in China, Campbell reaffirmed the point that he isn’t planning on returning, despite the worldwide success of the film.

The search for the Bond 22 director continues…

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Neal Purvis And Robert Wade Discuss 'Bond 22' Details

***Plot Spoilers***

With Casino Royale approaching the end of its astonishing run at the worldwide box office, more and more details and rumours are being revealed about the upcoming Bond 22, due for release in November 2008.

In an interview on The Trades, screenwriters Neal Purvis and Robert Wade (who worked on Casino Royale, Die Another Day and The World Is Not Enough) discussed the reception to Daniel Craig’s first James Bond film and revealed some details on Bond 22.

While discussing the many BAFTA nominations for Casino Royale, Purvis said: ‘We were very surprised by the nominations because it takes something for people to think of Casino Royale as just a good film and not a Bond film.’

‘Being nominated is a huge leap forward for a Bond movie,’ added Wade.

Comparing Bond to Craig’s reception with the press, Wade said: ‘Bond’s sort of struggling against the odds. What’s heroic and affecting about him is that he keeps going, even when everything is against him. So, in a way, it’s kind of like that’s what Daniel did in real life.’

The absense of Q and Miss Moneypenny from Casino Royale sparked much discussion amongst 007 fans. Wade commented on this, saying: ‘Some people think they should be there and some people know that they shouldn’t be there. With the way Casino Royale ends, you know there’s still unfinished business for Bond. He may say, “The name’s Bond, James Bond,” but there’s still a lot of stuff churning up inside him. So, if you’re going to explore that, and we’ve got this great actor to do that with, what you don’t want to do is suddenly clamp it down with all these familiar elements that keep your focus off him. He’s the great asset.’

According to Purvis, Moneypenny would be the easier of the two to incorporate. ‘Q presents more problems. People have all got gadgets now. Other films have lots of gadgets as well… The idea of Q coming back, for the moment, it’s just not a high priority.’

In mid-December, The Sun started a rumour that Ian Fleming’s short story Risico would provide the title and plot basis for Bond 22. ‘That’s not the case,’ said Wade. However, when asked about whether or not Vesper Lynd’s Algerian boyfriend would appear as one of the film’s villains, he simply said ‘I can’t comment.’

Finally, speaking on the timetable for Bond 22, Wade said: ‘The idea is for the movie to start shooting at the beginning of next year. It would be nice to have the draft next week (laughing). The sooner the better. It’s not an easy thing to do, because the bar was raised with the last picture, so we have to raise our game again.’

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Giancarlo Giannini Confirms Return As Mathis In 'Bond 22'

***Possible Plot Spoilers***

In an interview with Italian newspaper Il Giornale, Giancarlo Giannini, who played Rene Mathis in Casino Royale has confirmed that he will appear once again in Bond 22.

He said that in Bond 22, Mathis is revealed to indeed be an ally of Daniel Craig’s James Bond. He will be using his double agent status to assist Bond in reaching the top of the mysterious organization that was behind Le Chiffre and Mr. White.

Previously, both Daniel Craig and Eva Green revealed possibilities regarding the villains and plot of Bond 22.

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