Kevin Todd Haug Is 'Bond 22' Visual Effects Supervisor

A recent ComingSoon.net interview has confirmed the IMDb listing that Kevin Todd Haug will be the visual effects supervisor for next year’s James Bond film.

Speaking to the website was Zach Helm about his current film, Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium (he also wrote the screenplay to the Marc Forster-directed Stranger Than Fiction.

When asked if Bond 22 director Forster had mentioned anything about the film, Helm said: ‘He is good at keeping a secret. We used the same visual effects supervisor Kevin Haug, a genius, and so Kevin has gone from Than Fiction to this movie to Kite Runner and now he’s doing Bond. I’ve heard quite a few of the details, and it’s pretty exciting actually… but I’m good at keeping a secret, too.’

Like Bond 22 cinematographer Roberto Schaefer, Haug has had a history of working on Forster films. He held the visual effects supervisor position for Finding Neverland, Stay, Stranger Than Fiction and Forster’s newest film, The Kite Runner.

In Casino Royale, the position was held by Steven Begg. The film later went on to win a Visual Effects Society (VES) award in February 2007.

Keep watching CommanderBond.net for all the latest Bond 22 coverage.

Eva Green Will Not Appear In 'Bond 22'

In a superb cover story in The Observer Magazine, Casino Royale‘s Eva Green revealed that, contrary to earlier speculation, Vesper Lynd will not reappear in next year’s Bond 22.

While her fate in Casino Royale is unequivocal, reports suggested she would reappear in some capacity; in particular, a “pre-recorded video message” was mooted.

“There will be pictures [of Vesper] and things like that. I don’t know who the Bond girl’s gonna be. I’m a bit jealous! I hope it will be terrible,” Green said, facetiously. “I will be the love of his life!”

The article goes on to state that the threads of Casino Royale remain and that James Bond will have his revenge in pursuing Vesper’s traitorous Algerian boyfriend (Green herself suggested this late last year, while Bond 22‘s screenwriter Paul Haggis recently refused to deny the report).

The actress discusses her time on Casino Royale with pure excitement in the in-depth article. “My agent called and said it: ‘Oh, it made how-many-millions in the opening weekend in America.’ This is how it works. We were promoting it somewhere, in New York I think, and Barbara Broccoli was excited because the journalists had responded well to it. And to Daniel! Because of all the shit that was happening at the time, so they were very relieved. But yeah, in England it was,” Green whispered, ‘the best Bond ever!'”

Additionally, Green expressed praise for Daniel Craig, with whom she also co-stars in the upcoming film, The Golden Compass. “He’s working like a dog. He really wants to prove that he can do other stuff. He’s working on [second world war resistance drama] Defiance at the moment. It’s great for him. I mean, everyone wants him. Independent movies, Jim Jarmusch, anything. He doesn’t have ‘the Bond curse’ at all. He’s great. He deserves it.”

Green herself feels the lucrative offers are flowing in, but she is very selective about the roles she accepts. “It’s so difficult to find good parts, really, really hard. People don’t know how to place me. Now I receive a lot of… Like, I received something so similar to the Bond thing: ‘she ends up in an elevator under water’ – it’s a f***ing joke. ‘She’s very mysterious…’ No no no no no!”

“I need to earn some money,” she sighed.

For the full article, check out this week’s Observer Magazine.

Meanwhile, in an interview with the New York Daily News, Daniel Craig discussed the intense pressure while making Casino Royale and what it means for Bond 22. “[Casino Royale did all right,” Craig laughed. “But therein lies the rub.”

“I’m not getting quite so much abuse from the English tabloids – but that could still change! But the pressure is there. If I only make a couple of Bond films, I’d like to be able to look back on at least one of them and think ‘Oh, that was a good [one].’

“I know that sounds like a simplistic way of looking at it, but in terms of moviemaking, we want to make something that looks beautiful, looks stylish. I want this to be a Bond movie, and Bond movies, to me, are Dr. No and From Russia With Love – they had a style about them that was amazing and different.”

“I was very happy with the outcome [of Casino Royale]. I saw it on the small editing screens with no sound effects, no music of any sort and watched it from beginning to end and thought, ‘The story works.’ At that point I thought that we were going to be okay. ‘Cause when you start adding the music and the special effects, the movie starts expanding out – and it did. [It] pulled together in a way that I don’t think people were expecting… That was where we set the bar. Now we have to go for it again. And hopefully go higher.”

In one last brief snippet, Oscar-winning screenwriter, Paul Haggis revealed to Variety that Bond 22‘s production start date was shifted from December to January “for production reasons”.

According to the trade paper, Haggis, currently on strike with the Writers Guild of America, was unable to complete his final polish of the picture’s script, “mostly to adapt it to locations.”

Daniel Craig’s second James Bond film, for which he is currently rehearsing stunts, will now begin filming on 4 January 2008.

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

'Bond 22' Director Marc Forster To Appear On 'Tavis Smiley' Show

Director Marc Forster, who is currently working on the 22nd James Bond film is set to appear on PBS show Tavis Smiley on Friday, 7 December 2007.

While discussion is likely to center on The Kite Runner, Forster’s latest film which gets a limited release in the US on the 14th of December and then expands onto a general release in several other countries later this month, might we also get a few details on Bond 22? Guess one will just have to watch and find out.

The episode with Forster is set to air on Friday, 7 December at 12:00 AM (midnight), EST. Click here to visit the official Tavis Smiley website.

Keep watching CommanderBond.net for all the latest Bond 22 coverage.

Daniel Craig Honoured With Variety Award At BIFA Ceremony

Daniel Craig was honoured on the 28th of November with the Variety Award at the annual British Independent Film Award (BIFA) ceremony, which took place at Roundhouse in north London–reports Hello Magazine.

The star of Casino Royale and next year’s Bond 22 is was awarded this honour due to his contribution to bringing the international spotlight to the British film industry.

In the past, Craig has been nominated three times at the British Independent Film Award (BIFA) ceremonies, winning the best actor award for 2000’s Some Voices. His other nominations include 1999’s The Trench and 2004’s Enduring Love.

It turns out that Craig wasn’t the only actor from the 007 series honoured last night. Dame Judi Dench picked up the Best Actress award for her role as a conniving history teacher in 2006’s Notes on a Scandal.

When asked who she thought was the best James Bond so far, Dench replied: ‘Daniel’s amazing but I couldn’t possibly have a favourite.’

The awards were established in 1998 to celebrate and promote achievement in independently-funded British film. This year’s ceremony will take place on 28 November at Roundhouse in north London.

Keep watching CBn for all the latest James Bond news.

Timothy Dalton To Make Appearance In Los Angeles

Former James Bond actor Timothy Dalton will be making an appearance at the New Beverly Cinema in Los Angeles this upcoming December for a film screening of Flash Gordon.

The Double O Section reports that Dalton will be discussing his role as Prince Baron in the cult classic.

The film is being screened as part of Edgar Wright’s (who directed Dalton in Hot Fuzz earlier this year) ‘The Wright Stuff’ festival of films:

The New Beverly Cinema has The Wright Stuff

December 2-17, 2007

The New Beverly Cinema is proud to announce that Edgar Wright, director of Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, will be programming a special festival of films, The Wright Stuff, at the theater in December of this year.

After selling out a screening of his films in August, Wright is returning to the New Beverly to show some of his favorite movies. Wright will be at the theater to introduce the screenings, schedule permitting. In addition, the festival will also include several surprise special guests. Painstakingly handpicked, the films cover a wide spectrum of decades and film genres. From horror to comedy, musicals and more, the festival is sure to have something for every taste.

This Flash Gordon screening featuring Timothy Dalton in attendance will take place on Wednesday, 5 December 2007 at 7:30 PM.

The New Beverly Cinema is located at 7165 West Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036. For further information, phone 323-938-4038 or visit the official website.

Keep watching CBn for all the latest James Bond 007 news.

Craig Denies New 007 Contract

HisDarkMaterials.org have transcribed another roundtable discussion with the cast of The Golden Compass, in which Daniel Craig denies reports he has signed for four more James Bond films.

Q: You’ve been signed for four more Bond films?

Daniel Craig: That’s what you said… I never said that. [laughter]

Q: You said that you thought about the first one eighteen months ago, before you finally said ‘I’m making this film’, so I thought this was quite a commitment to make?

Daniel Craig: Well, that’s what’s been said, it’s not that it’s not true, because I haven’t signed up. What I’ve done is I’ve signed up on the next movie, after that we’ll see. That’s the way I’m doing it, and certainly it’s not four more – that’s the truth. It’s certainly not four more.

The news of Craig’s new contract first emerged last month, in a Hollywood Reporter article about MGM Chief Harry Sloan. British newspaper, The Daily Mail later published further details of the actor’s alleged contract.

While Craig has denied these reports, he did earlier this week suggest in a throwaway remark that he could make up to four films. “I want to make sure the next two, three, four, whatever films I manage to do before they chuck me out, or before it goes tits up, sit nicely within this era,” the actor said.

Craig’s second James Bond movie commences filming on 4 January 2008.

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

Daniel Craig And Eva Green Attend 'The Golden Compass' World Premiere

Casino Royale stars Daniel Craig and Eva Green were reunited on the red carpet tonight as the world premiere of The Golden Compass took place at London’s Odeon Leicester Square.

Fans can check out pictures from the red carpet on the BBC News website. In addition to Craig and Green, The Golden Compass stars Nicole Kidman, Dakota Blue Richards, Sam Elliott, Jim Carter, Jack Shepherd, Freddie Highmore and author Philip Pullman were all in attendance at the premiere.

The $180 million dollar epic from New Line Cinema is an adaptation of Philip Pullman’s novel, the first book in a hugely popular trilogy called His Dark Materials.

Craig plays adventurer Lord Asriel in the film. At a press conference at the Cannes Film Festival back in May of this year, Craig said of the series: ‘Like with (J.R.R.) Tolkien, there’s something about them that’s beyond the fantasy. It’s not just about witches and elves. It’s a story about true feelings.’

The Golden Compass, which is directed by Chris Weitz, opens on 5 December 2007 in the UK and 7 December in the US.

Other upcoming films for Craig include I, Lucifer, Flashbacks Of A Fool and Defiance. He returns as James Bond 007 in Bond 22, due for release in November 2008.

Keep watching CBn for all the latest James Bond news.

Craig Talks 'Bond 22' Rumours

In an interview with HisDarkMaterials.org, Daniel Craig discussed a number of rumours currently circulating about the next James Bond picture.

Of the rumours that French actor Mathieu Amalric has landed the role of the film’s villain, Craig said, “Maybe. I’m the wrong source.”

When asked about locations for Bond 22, the actor replied, “We’re going to start Central America, in Italy, maybe Austria. And Pinewood, obviously.” However, when prompted whether Austria meant skiing, Craig simply responded, “No.”

Austria has been rumoured as a possible location for some time, while Panama has also been considered; Dame Judi Dench recently revealed her character would be headed there in Bond 22.

Craig continued, “It will actually follow on quite closely after the last story. That’s in, sort of elements of what happened in the last movie are going to be putting over into this one, yeah.”

“There has to be an element of style, there has to be an element of something that’s quintessentially James Bond about the movies.” – Daniel Craig

Craig also discussed his desire to have Casino Royale as a more down-to-earth 007 film. “At two hundred million dollars it really was scaled down,” Craig laughed. “Um, the fact that the Bond movies are out, they were. They’re great movies, I mean I’ve watched all of them they’re really, they really work. But for me I wanted, my basis and what I kind of wanted is that I’m a fan of the very early Bond movies, the early Sean Connerys, Dr. No, and From Russia With Love and I wanted to put it back in that mold. And whatever you do, you know, these are Bond movies. There has to be an element of style, there has to be an element of something that’s quintessentially James Bond about the movies. I could name any influence that’s happened over the last thirty years that’s influenced my decision and my feelings about Casino Royale, but James Bond is James Bond.”

Bond 22 begins filming on 4 January 2008.

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

Mathieu Amalric Neither Denies Nor Confirms 'Bond 22' Villain Possibilities

Earlier this month, CommanderBond.net reported that Fox News’ FOX411 column was claiming French actor Mathieu Amalric had been cast as the villain in next year’s Bond 22.

According to that report, columnist Roger Friedman said that despite no confirmation from Amalri himself, ‘that was the word’ at a lunch that week for Le Scaphandre Et Le Papillon (The Diving Bell And The Butterfly), in which Amalric stars. Friedman went on to say: ‘Anyway, expect a formal announcement shortly. This is a done deal.’

This past weekend, French James Bond website JamesBond-fr.com telephoned Mathieu Amalric to try and get some further information on this possible casting news.

When asked about the Bond 22 villain report, Amalric responded : ‘Ah, one will see… they will say it, but I cannot say. You know, cinema is complicated…’

While Amalric neither confirms nor denies the rumour, it certainly sounds like this will be a very interesting bit of Bond 22 news to keep an eye on…

As previously reported on CBn, if cast in the film, it is a possibility that Amalric would be playing the French-Algerian boyfriend of Casino Royale‘s Vesper Lynd (as originally revealed by Eva Green as the plan and something that screenwriter Paul Haggis coyly refused to deny). Amalric’s nationality adds a further bit of credibility to this notion.

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

'Bond 22' Filming To Commence 4 January 2008

As the press rounds for The Golden Compass continue, Daniel Craig is dropping more and more hints about the next James Bond film.

In his most recent interview, with IESB.net, the actor confirmed the next 007 picture will commence filming on 4 January 2008.

After claiming the screenplay for the film is complete (despite Paul Haggis’ comments to the contrary), Craig said he is kept appraised of everything as it is being written. “And if not, I am on the phone asking why,” the actor laughed.

“This time, we’ve got Marc Forster on board. And we’ve also got Dennis Gassner, who is the designer from The Golden Compass, so there will be a change in the look and feel of the movie. Paul has put another great script in. So it’s just ours to f*** up. We’ve got to get on with it. And we have started. I’ve been pulled away to do this [interview]. We’re in rehearsals now. We start [filming] January 4th.”

Previous filming for Bond 22 took place (SPOILERS) in Tuscany earlier this year.

Keep watching CommanderBond.net for the most up-to-date Bond 22 coverage on the Internet.