1967's 'Casino Royale' DVD Delayed… Again

The 40th Anniversary DVD edition of 1967’s Casino Royale has been delayed yet again.

Initially due for release on 6 November 2007, the disc was then pushed to a 3 June 2008 date–and now, according to Amazon.com, 007 fans will have to wait until 21 October.

While this delay is disappointing, it’s important to note that release information posted on Amazon can quickly change on day-to-day basis. Interestingly, however, this 21 October date coincides with the day the 1954 television version of Casino Royale was first broadcast 54 years ago.

As previously reported on CommanderBond.net, the Casino Royale 40th Anniversary DVD edition will include several new special features. These include, in addition to a 2.35 anamorphic transfer and Dolby Digital 5.1 and Mono audio tracks:

• Audio commentary with 007 historians Steven Jay Reuben and John Cork
• “The Making Of Casino Royale” featurette
• “Bond James Bond” featurette
• “A 3 Ring Circus” featurette
• “More Directors, More Stars” featurette
• “The Big Climax” featurette
• “It’s a Wrap!” featurette
• Theatrical trailer

It is yet to be announced if the extras included on the current DVD, such as the interview with co-director Val Guest and the 1954 TV production, will also be carried over to this new edition.

The Casino Royale 40th Anniversary DVD edition will retail for $19.98 and can be pre-ordered online at Amazon.com:

• Order the Casino Royale (1967) 40th Anniversary DVD from Amazon.com

CBn will keep you updated with all the latest news and information regarding this upcoming DVD edition of 1967’s Casino Royale.

Photos And Video: Craig And Taubman In Austria For 'Quantum' Filming

Following up yesterday’s report that the Quantum of Solace production had arrived in Austria to begin preparations for filming, new photographs and video from the set have been revealed today.

CommanderBond.net readers will recall that in January of this year we reported that James Bond would be briefly seen in a Volvo during a short driving scene to be filmed in Feldkirch (which is doubling as Bregenz).

Daniel Craig was filmed driving the car as these photos (and video) posted at Voralberg.orf.at show.

Additionally, several photos of Anatole Taubman (who plays the villainous Elvis) were also posted online.

The 007 production is expected to continue filming in Austria until sometime in mid-May.

CBn will keep you updated with all the latest news and complete coverage of Quantum of Solace.

'Casino Royale' Ranks #1 For DVD And Blu-Ray Sales In 2007

According to figures posted at Last Broadcast, Daniel Craig’s debut James Bond adventure, Casino Royale ranked #1 for both DVD and Blu-ray disc sales last year.

With sales of over 3.1 million units, the 007 title easily soared to the top of the list.

In addition, the Casino Royale DVD is currently listed as ninth for the top ten best-selling DVDs of all time in the UK, edging out Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

Head over to Last Broadcast for more figures.

Casino Royale was first released on DVD and Blu-ray disc in March of 2007. Click here for CommanderBond.net’s full coverage.

A new three-disc collector’s edition is planned for release this June.

Stay tuned to the CommanderBond.net main page for all the latest James Bond news.

Austria Prepped For James Bond Filming

WARNING: Possible spoilers

The Quantum of Solace production has made its way to Austria and James Bond is being welcomed with open arms.

According to reports at Voralberg.orf.at and Monsters & Critics, Daniel Craig arrived along with several other cast and crew members to begin filming earlier today.

As previously reported on CommanderBond.net, filming will be primarily be focused in Feldkirch and at the Seebühne Floating Stage and Festival Opera House in Bregenz.

Eight photographs posted at Monsters & Critics show the Bond crew preparing for filming in Feldkirch. The town has been hit with Bond fever with carcboard cutouts of previous 007 actors constructed around the main city centre.

A press announcement posted at Earth Times states that filming in Bregenz is expected to last until 9 May:

Austrian town hit by James-Bond-fever

Residents in the western Austrian town of Bregenz were keeping their eyes peeled Tuesday for actor Daniel Craig who is shooting several scenes for the upcoming James Bond movie in the town. A film crew will be in town until May 9 to shoot scenes for Quantum of Solace, the latest instalment in the movie series featuring the British secret agent.

Filming Tuesday started with a chase scene in the city’s festival hall, a spokesman for the Bregenz opera festival said.

The city’s annual opera festival, with its signature floating stage on Lake Constance, will play a prominent role in the movie.

In the evening several streets in the medieval town, with a population of 30,000, will be closed off for filming, before filming on the floating stage Wednesday.

For James Bond to chase his adversaries across the huge stage, which is dominated by elaborate props and a huge eye, festival organizers set up a complete performance of Puccini’s Tosca, complete with audience.

The movie’s plot remains a closely-guarded secret until it hits cinemas in November.

In addition, a brief video of stuntmen preparing for filming at the opera stage can be viewed here.

As previously noted on CBn, Feldkirch is expected to be doubling as Bregenz in the finished film.

At the floating stage (first brought up as possible shooting location in July 2007) in Bregenz, Bond will reportedly be interrupting an opera performance as he pursues one of the film’s villains across the grandstand and through the audience. The chase is expected to continue in the Bregenz Festival House.

CBn will keep you updated with all the latest news and complete coverage of Quantum of Solace.

'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.