007's Walther From 'Tomorrow Never Dies' Going Up For Auction

James Bond fans looking to own one of 007’s weapons of choice will want to check out the Hollywood Roadshow Live Auction that begins tomorrow.

A Walther P99 prop gun, which is first issued to Bond in Pierce Brosnan’s Tomorrow Never Dies (and is also the film from which this specific prop comes from) will be going on sale at 11:00AM on Saturday, 17 November in Los Angeles at 128 Sierra St.
El Segundo, California 90245. In addition, fans will be able to bid for this piece of Bond memorabilia plus much more online at www.hollywoodroadshow.com and eBay.com.

The specific listing for the Tomorrow Never Dies Walther P99 prop gun, which can be viewed here, estimates that it will fetch a price anywhere between $100 and $25,000. The full description:

TOMORROW NEVER DIES – The ultimate prop from one of the most enduring and beloved movie franchises ever, this is a stunt Walther P99 used by Pierce Brosnan in the film. This gun is a prop only and cannot be made to fire in any way. It is one of five guns made for the film and is one of only two P99’s guns confirmed as coming from the film. This piece comes with copy of the auction papers from Christie’s (name has been blacked out for privacy purposes) which includes the sale date of DEC- 5 -00, when it was first sold. This gun’s hammer price was 8,500 Pounds sterling. The sister gun of the one sold at Christie’s on February 14th, 2001, for over $15,000.

This item is oversized and will require additional shipping charges. Please e-mail for shipping rates before bidding. (BRH3001)

Proceeds from this sale will be donated to the charities through the ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY FOUNDATION.

If you are interested in participating in this auction, visit www.hollywoodroadshow.com for all the details or phone the Los Angeles site at 310-322-PROP (7767).

Keep watching CBn for all the latest James Bond news.

"M" Takes Off To Panama

According to a report from Yahoo! News UK, Dame Judi Dench’s “M” will head to Panama in the next James Bond picture.

Dame Judi Dench

The actress said, “‘M’ is off to Panama – there’s a big adventure with James. Mind you, I’ll be too busy flirting with Daniel Craig. He is gorgeous.”

If accurate, the news confirms reports that Panama would feature in next year’s Bond 22.

At September’s National Movie Awards, the actress revealed her character would once again be in the field, having last year briefed Daniel Craig’s 007 in the Bahamas.

Bond 22 will mark Dame Judi’s sixth appearance as “M”.

Stay tuned to CommanderBond.net for the most up-to-date Bond 22 news on the web.

Casting Agency Dispels Certain Bond Girl Rumours

With screentests with Daniel Craig currently taking place and the lists of hopeful Bond girl candidates narrowing down, rumours and reports on who has made it and who hasn’t are flooding the local news in Mexico and surrounding Latin America.

After the recent announcement by Mayrín Villanueva’s husband on a Mexican television show claiming that she landed a role in the James Bond film, the agency who represents Bond 22‘s casting agent Carla Hool in Mexico made a statement to dispel some of the rumours.

According to reports Esmas.com and Blog-mexico.com, representative Ricardo Hernandez said ‘the entire casting process was confidential and the recent statements by some actresses do not have foundation.’

‘Since some actresses have taken it upon themselves to make false statements regarding the casting process and therefore create unsubstantiated news, I see it is necessary to deny several of these affirmations.’

While Mayrín Villanueva and other Bond girl candidates were not specifically mentioned in the statement, Hernandez says that some of the actressses who made the initial casting were not called back again due to ‘poor performances and a weak command of the English language.’

‘It does not seem right to us that someone who had the opportunity to belong in a foreign film and was invited to cast for a role should give up on this chance in order to become more famous.’

Keep watching CBn for all the latest Bond 22 coverage as the Bond girl casting continues.

Bond Girl Casting Buzz For 'Bond 22'

Reports are circulating that the Bond girl casting for next year’s Bond 22 is heating up with screentests of the favourites currently taking place.

According to a source for The Daily Mail, Daniel Craig is now getting involved with the casting process, after having previously supporting Eva Green for the role of Vesper Lynd in last year’s Casino Royale.

‘Daniel campaigned for Eva Green to do Casino Royale and is having a similar input in the casting of the next film,’ the report states.

Additionally, Bond 22 will reportedly feature four Bond girls and Craig is having a difficult time in helping to choose those best suited for the roles.

‘There’ll be four girls, all of whom will look Latin-American as much of the film is set in Panama, and Daniel is having a hard time choosing between those screen testing.’ The New Zealand Herald notes that Brazilian actress Cleo Pires and Israeli actress Moran Atias are two of the top frontrunners.

According to local reports from Brazil, Juliana Paes, Rita Guedes, Guilhermina Guinle join Pires and Atias as the other favourites for the roles.

The report states that casting agents Kate Dowd and Carla Hool have been testing possible candidates since late 2006 in Brazil, Mexico, Venezuela and Argentina. A representative from the Nossa Senhora do Casting company said they were ‘betting the ace cards on Juliana [Paes] and Cleo [Pires].’

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

Win A James Bond Art Print Signed By Artist Robert McGinnis

CBn is giving forum members the chance to win another James Bond 007 art print signed by artist Robert McGinnis.

McGinnis is best known by Bond fans as the man behind the memorable poster campaigns for Thunderball, You Only Live Twice, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, Diamonds Are Forever, and more. As previously reported on CBn, the following art print is a part of the Robert McGinnis Hollywood Edition. Full details:

• Limited edition of 500 copies each
• Each print personally hand-numbered and signed by Robert McGinnis
• Size: 17″ x 23″ (42,50 cm x 58 cm)
• Forur-colour printing on museum-quality paper
• Professionally matted and ready to frame
• Certificate of authenticity

Each print normally sells for $325 / £159, but CBn members can win one absolutely free! The print being offered in this competition is:

“Fit To Kill” (click here to view)

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 McGinnis 2) by Midnight EST on 30 November 2007 (simply click on the link in this paragraph).

1. TRUE or FALSE: A poster for Thunderball featured the tagline: “Far up! Far out! Far more! James Bond 007 is back!”
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 Communiqué/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.

Paul Haggis Joins WGA Strike; Comments On 'Bond 22' Script

Bond 22 writer Paul Haggis

After turning in the draft screenplay for Bond 22 almost two weeks ago, the Los Angeles Times reports that the writer has now joined the picket line outside Sony Pictures as part of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike.

Calling the heated dispute with Hollywood producers ‘another example of corporate greed,’ Haggis further accused them of trying to ‘shut down the entire town in a very cynical way.’

Haggis said he was prepared to walk the picket line for as long as it takes. Being WGA member since 1975, he explained that ‘it’s my job as a member of the guild to be here.’

While James Bond fans breathed a sigh of relief when the news came in late October that the Bond 22 script was handed in, when questioned about the upcoming 007 film, Haggis replied: ‘They haven’t gotten the polish finished yet.’

In related news, a strike report from Deadline Hollywood Daily notes that Haggis is being paid an estimted $5 million dollars for his work on Bond 22.

Keep watching CBn for all the latest news and details on Bond 22, which hits theatres in November 2008.

MGM To Take Back 007 Distribution From 'Bond 23' On

Variety today revealed MGM would take back distribution of the James Bond films following the release of next year’s Bond 22.

According to the trade paper, the studio will take over distribution from Sony beginning with Bond 23, which is pencilled in for a 2010 release.

News first emerged back in 2005 that MGM may be able to independently distribute its films under a clause in its contract with Sony.

Extensive market research reportedly played a role in Daniel Craig’s new 007 contract

Variety goes on to state Daniel Craig “is locked into a deal” for the first three films distributed by MGM (i.e. Bond 23, 24 and 25), clarifying the pictures covered under the actor’s new contract.

Speaking of which, the Chicago Sun-Times this week reported that extensive market research, reportedly costing almost $100,000, was carried out to verify Craig’s popularity as Agent 007. The producers reportedly carried out the research in “a number of key international markets, including China, India and Latin America”, in addition to Europe and the United States, before inking the deal.

Daniel Craig’s second James Bond film, which remains untitled, begins production in January for release in November next year.

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

Swedish Actor Rafael Edholm Reportedly Screentesting For 'Bond 22' Villain Role

Swedish media are currently reporting that actor Rafael Edholm is in contention for a role as one of the villains in next year’s Bond 22.

According to a recent article from the Aftonbladet newspaper, the 41 year-old Swedish actor will reportedly be heading to Hollywood sometime this month to screentest for the role. No further details were given on exactly what villainous role in the film this will be.

007 fans will recall that Goran Visnjic (one of the candidates suggested for the role of James Bond in Casino Royale), was also mentioned as a possible Bond 22 villain earlier this year.

As is the case with most early casting rumours, we’ll just have to wait and see…

Keep watching CBn for all the latest news and details on Bond 22, which hits theatres in November 2008.

The Queen Gets Sneak Peek At 'Bond 22' Set

BBC News reports the Queen became one of a select few to have scored a glimpse at sets for the next James Bond film, as she opened a brand new entrance at Pinewood Studios today.

As part of the opening, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh received a tour of the world famous studios, including the 007 Stage, which was destroyed by fire last July, before being rebuilt this year. She also met with Pinewood Studios employees, as well as those working on productions being filmed there.

The new Pinewood Studios entrance, which has been under construction since the beginning of the year, resembles the studio’s logo when viewed from above.

Filming on Bond 22 is scheduled to begin within the next two months, but this is the very first confirmation that sets for the film are under construction at Pinewood Studios.

Keep watching the new-look CommanderBond.net for the most up-to-date Bond 22 news on the web.

Daniel Craig: Not As Much Bulking Up For 'Bond 22'

Daniel Craig

Daniel Craig isn’t expecting to be quite as buff for next year’s Bond 22 as he was for his debut as James Bond in 2006’s Casino Royale.

The Daily Express cited a recent GQ Magazine article where Craig mentioned that he didn’t think he’d be bulking up as much for his next appearance as 007.

‘I think Barbara is going to have a word about that,’ says Craig, before mimicking a whinier version of himself in conversation with producer Barbara Broccoli:

“‘I’m not going to take my top off.’

‘Yes, you are.'”

Craig adds: ‘We’ll see. There are no plans. Bond might have to take a shower, what can I tell you?’

‘I’m probably not going to bulk up as much as I did last time,’ he says. ‘It was an exercise that worked and I’m very happy we did it.’

Speaking about his upcoming film, the WWII Polish Resistance epic Defiance, Craig adds: ‘A couple of weeks into filming, Simon my trainer will come over and we’re going to get straight back into it, which is the way it goes. The weird life that I live now!’

Keep watching CBn for all the latest news and details on Bond 22, which hits theatres in November 2008.