Rumour Of The Week: Angelina Jolie For 'Bond 23'?

‘Sean Connery Will Be Back To Play The Villain!’ … ‘Gulshan Grover Lands Royale Villain Role’ … ‘Aishwarya Rai Is The Latest Bond Girl’ … and the list goes on.

Whenever a new James Bond film is in the early stages of development, the outlandish rumours come with the territory. Are they almost always complete nonsense? Sure, but they keep on coming nonetheless.

Following up the Danny Boyle directing denial, the current rumour of the week comes courtesy of celebrity news and gossip hub The Insider. Citing a tip from Buzz Newsroom, they pose the question: will Angelina Jolie be signing up for Bond 23?

The tip states:

Angelina Jolie has been interested in being involved with Bond, James Bond, for quite some time. She came THIS CLOSE to signing on to Casino Royale with Daniel Craig–but dropped out of negotiations due to scheduling and her pregnancy at the time. Our source tells us Mrs. Pitt met with Bond producers over the weekend, expressing her interest in joining the franchise. The only hitch, Angelina would be a reoccurring character, instead of just appearing in one movie. With her Tomb Raider franchise dead, and being killed off in Wanted–Angie seeks a solid financial property to revisit every few years. An easy payday indeed! Bond producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli are very eager to have Angie on board. But, will they pay what she’s asking?

Sound off here on the CommanderBond.net Forums.

Keep your browsers locked on the CommanderBond.net main page for all the latest breaking news on Bond 23.

Danny Boyle Shuts Down 'Bond 23' Rumour

It certainly didn’t take long for one of the early Bond 23 rumours to get shut down.

Following up Tuesday’s news from The Sun that British director Danny Boyle was reportedly being considered to helm the next James Bond film comes word from the man himself that this just isn’t the case.

A spokesperson for Boyle told WENN: ‘While Danny says he always has and always will enjoy the Bond movies he has no plans to direct one. Danny is naturally flattered to be thought of!’

Boyle then commented further on the 007 rumour to Entertainment Weekly, saying: ‘I enjoy the Bond movies, always have and always will, but I have no plans to direct one. I don’t know who came up with the story, but please tell them I’m very flattered to be thought of!’

Keep your browsers locked on the CommanderBond.net main page for all the latest breaking news on Bond 23.

Danny Boyle In Line To Direct 'Bond 23'?

4 March 2009 UPDATE: Didn’t take long for Danny Boyle to respond to this one:

“I enjoy the Bond movies, always have and always will, but I have no plans to direct one. I don’t know who came up with the story, but please tell them I’m very flattered to be thought of!”

It may be quite far off into the future, but the Bond 23 rumours and reports are kicking into gear.

Today, The Sun carries the story that British director Danny Boyle is reportedly being considered to helm what will be Daniel Craig’s third James Bond film.

Boyle is classified as a ‘hot property’ in Hollywood at the moment following the widespread critical acclaim for his Slumdog Millionaire, which recently took the top prize at the Academy Awards and BAFTA ceremonies, along with endless other rewards.

His other recent film credits include Sunshine, Millions, 28 Days Later and Trainspotting.

The Sun says that 007 producer Barbara Broccoli is currently ‘leading the chase for his services’ and notes that he is a close acquaintance of Callum McDougall, who has served as the co- or executive producer on every Bond film since 2002’s Die Another Day.

An unnamed source said: ‘Danny is the man of the moment and he is being bombarded with offers from studios. He has been offered the chance to direct the 23rd Bond film by Barbara. The EON team love his vision and think that it would work perfectly for the new look of Bond.’

‘Danny has always insisted he is more interested in the film than the money. However, with Daniel Craig’s involvement and the way the films are now structured–with the emphasis on the characters and plot rather than gags and gadgets–it is right up Danny’s street.

‘Everyone on the EON team thinks Danny would be a fantastic addition to the Bond family.’

Time will tell how much truth there is to this rumour… keep your eyes on the CommanderBond.net main page for all the latest breaking news on Bond 23.

Dame Judi Dench Supports Return Of Moneypenny And Q Characters

Like Daniel Craig before her, Dame Judi Dench has backed plans to bring the characters of Miss Moneypenny and Q back to the James Bond series.

According to the Lincolnshire Echo, Dame Judi briefly discussed the return of these characters in an interview with the Daily Telegraph. She said: ‘That would be good if it was thought right to bring back those characters. Wouldn’t it be Samantha Bond as Miss Moneypenny and John Cleese as Q. Who else?’

Dame Judi also confirmed her involvement in the forthcoming Bond 23, which will mark her seventh appearance as ‘M’ following her debut in 1995’s GoldenEye. She said: ‘You bet. As M you get to treat this powerful man very, very badly.’

As many 007 fans are aware, the Moneypenny and Q characters were dropped from Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace. Prior to this, Samantha Bond had portrayed the MI6 secretary for all four of Pierce Brosnan’s Bond films and had been quoted as saying that when Brosnan left the series, so would she.

‘If Miss Moneypenny is written in it wouldn’t be me–I left with my Bond,’ she said. ‘I think she’s missed but I am happy that she’s not there because it means I am irreplaceable.’

John Cleese first appeared in the series as ‘R’ in The World is not Enough and then inherited the gadgetmaster role from Desmond Llewellyn for Die Another Day.

What remains unclear at this very early stage is who exactly would portray these characters if they were indeed set to return. Voice your opinion here on the CommanderBond.net Forums.

Keep turning to the CommanderBond.net main page for all the latest James Bond news and coverage.

"We're ready to begin again."

With James Bond surfing a wave of box office success around the globe, Dark Horizons sat down with Quantum of Solace star Daniel Craig.

“The way that people have taken to [Quantum of Solace] is just amazing.” – Daniel Craig

When asked whether he was surprised that the critical reaction to Quantum of Solace was more mixed than that which Casino Royale received, the actor replied, “No, because Casino Royale was based on a novel and we’re always going to have that. When you do a movie like that, where the basis of a story is really strong and also the momentum of it, everyone thought that it was going to be sh*t. So when it wasn’t, they were all just completely surprised.”

“I think that Quantum of Solace is as good a movie as Casino Royale,” Craig continued. “I think that the difference is that last time people were surprised by the fact that they enjoyed it. The fact is that we get reviews in newspapers that we’d never had reviews in before. Certainly with the Internet we get seven and a half million reviews, which are all worth looking at, obviously.”

“I don’t try to intellectualise [Quantum of Solace‘s financial success]. I do know what we’ve done is make a movie that the first time I saw it I got a huge kick out of it. Ultimately that’s what we’re trying to do at the end of the day: putting a movie out that’s an entertaining, exciting, hopefully slightly moving Bond movie. That’s all our goal ever was. The way that people have taken to it is just amazing.”

“Unless someone finds a dirty manuscript under the couch at Goldeneye, we’re stuffed.” – Daniel Craig

Craig promises a clean slate for the next James Bond outing. “I genuinely think we’ve got a blank page now. We’ve finished this story off. Quantum of Solace was exactly the right thing to do. We started something with Casino Royale and we wrapped it all up with Quantum of Solace. We’re ready to begin again and we can do what we want.”

The actor hinted that, while they are looking at Ian Fleming story elements for Bond 23, the film would likely feature another original story. “There’s nothing left. It’s all done. Unless someone finds a dirty manuscript under the couch at [Fleming’s Jamaican estate] Goldeneye, we’re stuffed.”

He also ruled out adapting any of the continuation novels. When asked about John Gardner’s 14 James Bond books, Craig responded, “I’ve never read them. I would bet any money that someone sort of optioned them and that they’re tied up in something else. It’s a very closed box.”

Keep watching CommanderBond.net for the most up-to-date James Bond news on the web.

A Fresh Start For 'Bond 23', Says Daniel Craig

As mentioned several times in the past when Bond 23 discussions came up, Daniel Craig is keen on reintroducing Miss Moneypenny and Q back into the franchise after being absent from both Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace.

At a press event earlier today for Craig’s upcoming Defiance, Collider got a chance to quiz the James Bond star even further about what fans can expect from the 23rd entry in the 007 series.

When asked whether or not Bond 23 would latch onto the story presented in Royale and Quantum to form a trilogy of sorts, Craig said: ‘No f–king way. I’m done with that story. I want to lie on a beach for the first half an hour of the next movie drinking a cocktail.’

As many CommanderBond.net readers are well aware, Quantum director Marc Forster had filmed a one-minute scene that was originally intended to close the film. Featuring Bond, Mr. White and Guy Haines, this ‘cliffhanger’ ending would have necessitated that Bond 23 continue the story. ‘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 said at the time.

Craig continued: ‘We’ve finished this story as far as I’m concerned. We’ve got a great set of bad guys. There is an organization that we can use whenever we want to. The relationship between Bond and M is secure and Felix is secure. Let’s try and find where Moneypenny came from and where Q comes from. Let’s do all that and have some fun with it.’

‘We’ve finished this story as far as I’m concerned. We’ve got a great set of bad guys. There is an organization that we can use whenever we want to.’ –Daniel Craig

The actor couldn’t confirm a strict timetable for his third Bond film, stating: ‘We don’t know when we’re going to do the next Bond. Nobody’s thinking about it at the moment. We’re giving it a rest for the moment. If I can squeeze [a non-Bond project] in next year I will… but I haven’t figured out what that’ll be yet. But nothing in the cold.’

It was reported last year that Sony was eyeing a 2010 release date for Bond 23, but producer Michael G. Wilson has since stated that a 2011 release seems more likely.

In an interview with IGN, he said: ‘I would think that we’d bring it out in two-and-a-half to three years [from] now, I guess. It’s hard to tell until we get working on the script [which is scheduled to commence in January 2009]’

Keep your browsers locked on the CBn main page for the most up-to-date Bond 23 coverage. We’ll keep you updated with all the latest news and information as it becomes available.

'Bond 23' Expected In 2011

IGN has today posted a brief video interview with James Bond producer Michael G. Wilson, in which he reveals that the follow-up to Quantum of Solace will likely hit screens in 2011.

“I would think that we’d bring it out in two-and-a-half to three years [from] now, I guess. It’s hard to tell until we get working on the script,” Wilson cautioned.

This news is the first concrete indication of when we’ll be sitting down to watch the yet-to-be-titled Bond 23.

In other Bond 23 news, Wilson indicated the possibility that Jeffrey Wright may return as Felix Leiter, alongside Judi Dench as M. “We enjoy working with them and they’ve done so well in the parts that I hope they’ll come back.

“We’re trying to make the continuity work in this series.” – Michael G. Wilson

In a separate interview on CHUD.com, the producer further hints at Wright’s return.

“We’re trying to make the continuity work in this series,” Wilson said. “Sometimes you can’t continue … with the same actor playing the same character, but certainly that’s what we’ve done in Quantum of Solace.”

“What will happen in the future is pretty difficult to say. I think people really like Jeffrey Wright, they like Judi Dench, and I think if there’s a spot for them in the next film – which, certainly for Judi and probably for Jeffrey – then we’d love to have them back.”

Wilson also discussed the future role that Quantum might play in the franchise. “We were looking for what might be a contemporary villainous organisation or group of people … and we thought that someone who seems to use illegal methods for monopolising resources around the world and manipulating governments would be a pretty difficult organisation to deal with. They’d be completely international and would look legitimate on the surface.”

“I think [Quantum] is a fairly good adversary for Bond and maybe we’ll find another figure from Quantum coming out to challenge [Bond] next film.”

“I think SPECTRE was in its own time. [Quantum] are a little more sophisticated.” – Michael G. Wilson

In the IGN interview, Wilson also ruled out a return appearance by old-school Bond baddie syndicate, SPECTRE, which featured in a number of Sean Connery outings as well as On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. “I think SPECTRE was in its own time. [Quantum] are a little more sophisticated than SPECTRE. They don’t necessarily appear on the surface to be villains that take on the traditional things like villains do, like the Mafia. This is much more sophisticated and works at a much higher level.

The entire IGN interview can be viewed below.

Work on the 23rd James Bond film is planned to commence in January.

Keep watching CommanderBond.net for the most up-to-date James Bond news on the web.

"I'd love to reinvent Q and Moneypenny."

In an interview with German newspaper Die Welt, Daniel Craig commented on possible story ideas and details for Bond 23.

Asked whether the Bond he portrays would stay monogamic in the next films, Craig said: "We have plenty of time in the next installment to tell that story [of Bond sleeping with women]. We introduced the "new Bond" properly with these two films, so now everything is possible: hollowed-out volcanoes, undersea lairs, characters such as Q and Moneypenny. All this could return to the franchise. I would love if we reinvented these two charachters. But we would need to get the best actors around for these roles."

In the next question, Craig was asked about the rumours that he asked for a gay sex scene in a future James Bond film. Laughing, the British actor said: "I know that this is an internet rumour and everybody asks me about it. I have nothing against homosexuals and as you may know, I already played a gay man in another film. But I will never ever play a gay James Bond. If that is ever going to happen, I will quit the job."

Stay tuned to CBn.

Michael G. Wilson: 'Bond 23' Work To Begin Early Next Year

Quantum of Solace premiered last night to what was no doubt a rousing reception – and promised that “James Bond will return”.

Speaking to Heart 106.2, 007 producer Michael G. Wilson revealed that preliminary work will start on Daniel Craig’s third James Bond film early next year.

Wilson told the station, “Last time when we were in post production on Casino Royale we were already working on Quantum of Solace.”

“This time we haven’t started, but in January we are going to get some writers together and start kicking some ideas around.”

Quantum of Solace‘s script was penned by Paul Haggis, Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, all of whom also worked on Casino Royale (although Quantum received an additional script polish by newcomer Joshua Zetumer). Purvis and Wade previously worked on scripts for The World Is Not Enough (alongside Bruce Feirstein), Die Another Day and the aborted Jinx spin-off film.

Whether any of these writers will return for Bond 23 remains unclear.

Someone who might return, though, is Olga Kurylenko, who plays Camille in Quantum of Solace. Producer Barbara Broccoli told Heart, “I think she’s a spectacular actress and she’s done an amazing job in this movie. She blew us away. We would certainly love to have her back. If it’s not in the next movie, then certainly in the future.”

“He’s got to come back, we’re not going to let him go.” – Barbara Broccoli on Daniel Craig

Daniel Craig, however, isn’t going anywhere: Broccoli told Heart, “Oh, please! Are you kidding? He’s got to come back, we’re not going to let him go. Are you crazy?”

“He is the greatest Bond right now and the people love him,” Wilson reiterated.

Bond 23 has yet to have a release date announced, nor does it have a director attached (Marc Forster has repeatedly stated he will not return). Quantum of Solace was first announced in July 2006, even though work on a script began as early as October 2005.

Last year, it was reported that Sony were eyeing a 2010 release date for the film, while Daniel Craig has been playing down his next outing as the famous spy, stating last week that “there is nothing scheduled” for Bond 23.

Since 1995’s GoldenEye, the Bond films have been released during the winter. However, Quantum of Solace was initially announced with a May release date (which was later postponed), proving that a summer opening is not out of the question.

Stay tuned to CommanderBond.net for the most up-to-date James Bond news on the web.

Craig Quizzed On 'Bond 23'

Seven days until Quantum of Solace opens in the UK, and eight days until hardcore James Bond fans begin the countdown to the next 007 movie, tentatively called Bond 23.

Hollywood.com quizzed Daniel Craig on what we can expect from his third outing as Ian Fleming’s superspy. The questions asked were, intentionally or otherwise, grounded in the criticisms currently being levelled at the franchise in Quantum of Solace reviews.

“I would love to [include them next time],” Craig told the website when asked about Miss Moneypenny and gadgetmaster Q. “But I think you offer it to the best actors you can and you say to them, ‘Forget what’s happened, reinvent it, tell us what you think these characters should be,’ and that’s where it should come from.”

Craig was also asked whether the franchise would move towards lighter fare: “Yeah, there’s room for more comedy,” the actor said. It should be noted that Craig made a similar comment during the production of Quantum of Solace, which had media around the world convinced that the film would be a spiritual successor to Moonraker.

Hollywood.com also asked Craig whether we’d see his Bond hit the slopes, something that was rumoured for Quantum of Solace. “I’m not a skier, Jesus,” Craig laughed. “I think Bond [would] actually slide down the hill.”

Curiously, Craig sounded unsure whether he would return for a fourth film as James Bond. “I can’t see doing it beyond another movie. If they ask me back to do another movie I would be thrilled.” However, in other interviews, Craig has implied he is on a four-film contract (it is likely his contract is for three films, with the option of a fourth, as was Pierce Brosnan’s).

Craig also spoke about his decision to turn down the title role in Marvel’s comic book adaptation, Thor. “They spoke about it, but I thought ‘I can’t play Bond and Thor.’ It’s like some stupid f***ing power trip. Blond hair and a big hammer… it would have been too much of a statement… [Bond] is as physical as I want to get in movies at the moment.”

Quantum of Solace director Marc Forster also reiterated his desire to leave the franchise after this film: “They offered me the next one, but I am switching genres.”

Bond 23 has no confirmed release date. Earlier reports suggested Sony was eyeing a 2010 opening.

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.