Report: Mathieu Amalric Is "Maurice Green" In 'Bond 22'

Mathieu Amalric

According to a report posted at JamesBond-fr.com, French magazine The Première has revealed the name of the villain Mathieu Amalric will be playing in next year’s Bond 22: Maurice Green.

As previously reported on CommanderBond.net, Amalric will be playing one of the main villains in next year’s James Bond film alongside Anatole Taubman. Furthermore, Mexican actor Joaquín Cosío recently claimed to have landed the role of a Latin American general named “General Medrano” in the film as well.

A hot topic among Bond fans is who will be playing the role of Vesper Lynd’s French-Algerian boyfriend (as originally revealed by Casino Royale‘s Eva Green as the plan and and something that screenwriter Paul Haggis coyly refused to deny) in the film. Amalric and Taubman seem to be the most likely candidates so far.

Take note that this report by The Première magazine has not been confirmed by Eon Productions.

Keep your eyes on the CommanderBond.net main page. We’ll keep you updated with all the latest news and details on Bond 22.

Dame Judi In The Dark Over 'Bond 22'

Dame Judi Dench

With shooting on Daniel Craig’s second James Bond film due to begin in roughly two weeks, Dame Judi Dench has revealed that she’s being kept in the dark over exactly what one can expect in this upcoming 007 adventure.

Digital Spy reports that the Oscar-winning actress admitted the producers are keeping a lid on Bond 22 plot details in an effort to prevent the story from leaking.

She said: ‘It’s all so secretive. I’ve only been told that this will be an original storyline – and that’s it.’

‘I wasn’t remotely surprised about the success of Casino Royale and I’m sure we can surpass that this time.’

Back in mid-November, CommanderBond.net reported that Dame Judi would once again be joining Craig’s 007 in the field for Bond 22 (while also confirming Panama as a location for the film).

In related news, CBn can also report on at least one Casino Royale cast member who won’t be returning for Bond 22: Tobias Menzies.

Menzies, who had the brief role of Villiers, M’s assistant in Casino Royale, wrote on his Myspace blog: ‘Sad news for all Villiers fans, he is no more! Casino Royale was his first and last stand. May he rest in peace.’

Keep watching CommanderBond.net for all the latest coverage and details on Daniel Craig’s upcoming 007 film.

Villain #3? – Joaquin Cosio Reportedly Cast

Joaquin Cosio

It seems as if James Bond will be facing more than one enemy in Bond 22. After the
confirmed castings of French Mathieu Amalric and Swiss Anatole Taubman, Mexican
actor Jaquin Cosio claims to have landed the role of a Latin American General
called "General Medrano". Mexican newspaper

El Diario runs a big story on the casting in today’s issue.

"There are various enemies, and I’m one of them. I’m General Medrano, Bond’s
enemy in Latin America, but there are other enemies waiting in Europe for Bond",
he told El Diario while phoning from Mexico City. According to the actor,
he was chosen from a list of about 500 Latin American actors, among them stars
such as Daniel Jimenez Cach (Y tu Mama Tambien).

"I’m really pleased to be chosen to participate in such a huge film, it’s a
great achievement that the film will feature a Mexican actor" the 45-year old told the
newspaper. Shooting will start for him in early February 2008. "I still don’t know
much of the script, I don’t really know what my scenes will be like, but I know
that I’m going to film in Panama, Bolivia and London", the actor said. Related
to this, CBn has just learned that Anatole Taubman is also scheduled for a
Bolivia shoot, which makes Bolivia the fifth official location for Bond 22. Other
locations include Italy, Austria, Panama and England.

Cosio also confirmed what has been rumoured long before: Italian actor
Giancarlo Giannini will reprise his role as Rene Mathis from Casino Royale. "I’m
very delighted to be in one film with Giannini and Judi Dench", the Mexican said.
Still, "so far I’m not thinking about leaving for Hollywood after Bond 22. I’m
very pleased with how my latest projects are going here in Mexcio."

Stay tuned for all the latest Bond 22 news on CommanderBond.net!

Gemma Arterton Locked In For 'Bond 22'?

Last week, the Internet was awash with rumours 22-year-old British actress Gemma Arterton had landed the role of a Bond Girl in the upcoming 22nd 007 picture. Today, Empire Online claims to have verified the rumours, from “a source who’s in a position to be absolutely sure that this casting is 100% true”.

Gemma Arterton

The film magazine’s website claims to be unsure as to the extent of Arterton’s role in the film, but understands it to be a “fairly major” one.

Earlier this month, Empire Online confirmed reports that Mathieu Amalric will play the role of a villain in the next James Bond film.

Some previous reports that Arterton had scored the role were based on alleged quotes from insiders at Eon Productions. Additionally, The Sun claimed the actress sent her mother a text proclaiming “I got Bond!”, while the Daily Mail reported Arterton learned of her success at the auditions only last week, but has been sworn to secrecy until the full cast is revealed later this month.

Gemma Arterton’s first motion picture, St Trinian’s, premiered in London a week ago, and will go on wide release in the UK in a week’s time.

Bond 22 commences principal photography on 4 January 2008.

Keep watching CommanderBond.net for the latest James Bond news.

First Photos Of Daniel Craig In 'Bond 22' Rehearsals

Daniel Craig preparing for Bond, source: Hello Magazine

Hello Magazine today published the first photos of Daniel Craig in training for the next James Bond film. The images show the actor at the helm of a Seadoo speedboat on a lake in Hampshire.

The report claims Craig “let slip” the Casino Royale sequel will not feature any car chases, contradicting earlier reports (SPOILERS) that Bond 22 will see 007 chasing the film’s villain in Tuscany.

James Bond was most recently involved in a speedboat pursuit down the River Thames in 1999’s The World Is Not Enough.

Keep watching CommanderBond.net for the latest James Bond news.

James Bond Double Feature At Dryden Theatre In New York

Goldfinger

007 fans in Rochester, New York can be treated to two doses of Sean Connery’s James Bond on two different days as part of an upcoming double feature at the Dryden Theatre.

1964’s Goldfinger and 1967’s You Only Live Twice will be shown back to back on Saturday, 29 December 2007 and once again on the following Sunday, the 30th. The full schedule follows:

• Saturday, 29 December:
• 7:00pm – Goldfinger
• 9:00pm – You Only Live Twice

• Sunday, 30 December:
• 2:00pm – Goldfinger
• 4:00pm – You Only Live Twice

Tickets cost $6.00 for general admission, $5.00 for students and $4.00 for members. The box office opens 45 minutes prior to screenings.

The Dryden Theatre is located at George Eastman House in Rochester, New York. The full address is: The Dryden Theatre, 900 East Avenue, Rochester NY, 14607.

For further information on this upcoming James Bond double feature, ticket prices, or any other details, phone 585-271-3361 or visit the official website.

Keep watching CommanderBond.net for all the latest 007-related news.

Anatole Taubman Speaks Out On His Role

Bond 22 villain Anatole Taubman

Anatole Taubman, who scored a villain role in Bond 22
earlier this week, has given different German-speaking media hints and tid-bits about his engagement in
Bond 22.

"I’m playing – besides Mathieu Amalric – the second big villain of
James Bond in the film. It’s not the henchman kind of thing, it’s a really big
role. I’m not allowed to tell you more", Taubman stated in an interview with

persoenlich.com and added that he had to sign a "Non Disclosure Agreement".
"Everyone who is signed on Bond has to accept it. Every detail is protected."
Asked, whether he had already seen the script, Taubman said: "I alreay received
a copy, but I treat it like a treasure. I even don’t take it with me when I need
to go abroad."

Taubman also spoke out on director Marc Forster and their Swiss connection (interestingly
enough, Marc Forster doesn’t even have a Swiss passport – actually, he’s a
German who grew up in Switzerland, but he is always refered to as a "Swiss"). "I
don’t think that I got the role because I’m Swiss. The only difference to other
auditions was that the director welcomed me in Swiss German language." Taubman
thinks highly of Forster: "The job is quite a challenge for Marc, but otherwise
he wouldn’t have accepted the offer at all. Because of Daniel Craig, the James
Bond character has been re-invented in the last film. So this makes a further
development of the character possible. And because of Marc Forster, the 22nd
Bond film will become a great one! His films are coined by sensibility and
character depth."

In another interview with Swiss newspaper
Blick,
Forster precised that his film’s character is French. "My wife and my children
are the most important things in my life. They are my foundation. Although the
Bond film role is a golden ticket, the working part is yet to come. And
it is much work – at last, I want to go down as a bad Frenchman into Bond history!"

Keep watching CommanderBond.net for all the latest coverage and details on Daniel Craig’s upcoming 007 film!

Gemma Arterton Cast As Bond Girl?

Gemma Arterton

According to corresponding article’s in today’s

Sun,
Guardian and

Daily Mail, 22 year old British actress Gemma Arterton has won the audition
for a Bond girl role in Bond 22. Still, there remain big doubts about the
validity of these articles.

Little known Arterton beat out 1,500 other women to win the part, according
to the papers. The reports claim an insider at Eon Productions said of
Arterton: "Gemma has the modern look and fits perfectly with the new vulnerable
image of Bond." According to the "Daily Mail", Gemma learned of her success only
this week and has been sworn to secrecy until the complete cast is revealed
later this month. "The Sun" claims that Gemma sent her mother Sally a text
saying: "I got Bond!" Interestingly enough, Mother Craig also broke the news of
her son being cast as James Bond.

What makes the story doubtful is the fact that the last information Bond fans got
was that producers are looking for a South American Bond girl and that auditions
had taken place in Brazil and Panama. There is also the possibility that Arteron
has landed a minor role in Bond 22 and tabloids are vaporizing up the story.
Bond fans will know by the end of the month.

Keep watching CBn for all the latest coverage as the Bond girl casting heats up.

Win A 'Tomorrow Never Dies' Ultimate Edition DVD

‘Don’t get any ideas, Mr. Bond.’

10 Years Of Tomorrow Never Dies

With the 10th anniversary of Pierce Brosnan’s second James Bond film, Tomorrow Never Dies, taking place this month, lucky CommanderBond.net Forum members now have the chance to win an Ultimate Edition DVD copy of the film.

A Region 2 (UK, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Japan, et al.) copy of the Tomorrow Never Dies Ultimate Edition DVD is being given away. Special features on the DVD include:

• DECLASSIFIED: MI6 VAULT:
• Deleted and Extended Scenes Introduced by Director Roger Spottiswoode
• Expanded Angles Introduced by Director Roger Spottiswoode
• Highly Classified: The World of 007
• Special Effects Reel
• ‘The James Bond Theme’ (Moby’s Remix)
• 007 MISSION CONTROL:
• Interactive Guide Into the World of Tomorrow Never Dies
• THE COMPLETE SPECIAL FEATURES LIBRARY: MISSION DOSSIER:
• Audio Commentary Featuring Vic Armstrong and Michael G. Wilson
• Audio Commentary Featuring Roger Spottiswoode and Dan Petrie Jr.
• The Secrets of 007
• Storyboard Presentation
• Gadgets
• Sheryl Crow ‘Tomorrow Never Dies’ Music Video
• MINISTRY OF PROPAGANDA:
• Original Trailers & Photo Gallery

This competition is open to all members of CBn. You must be a registered member of the CBn Forums and answer the following question correctly to be eligible to win. Not yet a member of CBn? Register here now – it is free and only takes a minute!

To enter, fill out the following questionnaire and send a Communiqué/Private Message on the CBn Forums to ‘CBn Competition’ (Subject: CBn Tomorrow) by Midnight EST on 31 December 2007 (simply click on the link in this paragraph).

1. True or False: In terms of unadjusted worldwide box office numbers, Tomorrow Never Dies is one of the top two highest grossing Pierce Brosnan Bond films.
2. What is your CBn Forum Screen Name?
3. What country/state do you live in?

To discuss this CBn competition or if you have any questions visit this thread on the CBn Forums, the largest James Bond 007 forum on the internet.

All those who answer correctly will be put into a drawing and the winner will be sent a Communique/Private Message via the CBn Forums to the Screen Name they provided to inform them of their winning. The winner must respond to this PM within five (5) days with the requested information (name, mailing address, etc) or another drawing will be held. The winner will be announced once shipping information has been received. The item will be shipped from the USA. In the event that a prize has been stolen or mishandled during shipment, CBn will not be able to replace the specific item–this has yet to be a problem.

Austria Becoming More And More Likely For 'Bond 22'

Festival House in Bregenz
(Image copyright Bruno Klomfar)

Shooting for Bond 22 in Austria is becoming more and more likely. Austrian media report today that Swiss movie company Unicorn, who has previously worked on two James Bond movies, GoldenEye and Tomorrow Never Dies, has been hired as local production company in the Vorarlberg region. Unicorn Boss Leonhard Gmür has confirmed that his company is already at work and that a casting of 1,500 extras will take place in January.

No contracts between Unicorn and the Bregenz Festival have been signed yet, but negotiations with the leading team for the Tosca production who has to agree on the use of the stage design and direction are currently going on. An agreement will hopefully be found before the end of 2007.

Floating Stage with ‘Tosca’ Set (Image copyright Bregenz Festival, Karl Forster)

Because of this situation, there is no fixed schedule, but it is planned to start shooting on the Bregenz floating stage by 27 April. These scenes are intended to be filmed at nighttime. Also, a short driving scene will be shot in Feldkirch.

Austria was first mentioned for Bond 22 back in July when the “Seebühne” (Floating Stage) in Bregenz was brought up as a possible location.

CommanderBond.net will keep you updated with all the latest news and details on the locations to feature in Bond 22.