Bond 21 Filming In Jan '04?

Bond 21 may start lensing in January of 2004 according to a report from Matt Sherman’s BondList.

An e-mail, sent to all members of the list, stated that “one of BONDLIST’s best sources” has revealed that Pinewood Studio’s has been reserved for Bond 21 as of August 2003.

While August 2003 wouldn’t indicate the start of filming, it would indicate the start of pre-production for the film. While James Bond’s most recent adventure, Die Another Day, began filming in January 2002 the production of sets, props and attire began around October 2001.

If Pinewood has indeed been booked out for August 2003 Bond 21 would start filming in January 2004.

BondList’s source has indicated that “December ’04 has been targeted for the” release of Bond 21 in the United States.

The news does, however, contradict earlier comments by MGM’s Chief Executive Officer Alex Yemenidjian that producers were “going to take three years to do the next one”. Yemenidjian did reveal, however, that scripting would begin in early 2003 indicating that Neil Purvis and Robert Wade may have already started on the script.

If you’d like to discuss the release date please visit this thread of the Bond 21 Forums. Thanks to Zencat for the tip-off

DAD Passes $400 Million World Wide

Die Another Day has surpassed the US$400 million mark in its world-wide take.

The current world wide take places Die Another Day ahead of all previous Bond films in the category, inflation not adjusted. The US Domestic total for the latest Bond currently sits at $160,728,203, ahead of MGM’s expectations for the film, though it currently only holds the 24th spot at the US Box Office.

While currently in the 50th position of ‘Top Grossing Movies of All Time’ Die Another Day will surely raise in position due to the film opening to Japan’s large market later this month.

If you’d like to discuss the ranking please visit this thread of the Die Another Day Forums. Thanks to M_Balje for the tip-off.

Full Score Requested Through Petition

The release of David Arnold’s full score for Die Another Day has been requested by fans through an online petition.

The requested CD would be similair to the seceond edition of Tomorrow Never Dies, which included further music from the film not available in the initial soundtrack release.

In the two days since it’s creation the petition has received 190 signatures. You can view them, or add your own, by clicking here.

If you’d like to discuss the petition please visit this thread of the David Arnold Forums.

Theatrical Trailer to Promote DVD

The DVD release of Die Another Day in the United States will be heavily promoted, with MGM planning to show an advert in cinemas to promote the release.

MGM has signed a deal with Regal Cinemas and NCN, which will see the advert screen in multiple theaters in the top 14 markets in over 900 cinemas.

The advert will screen before several popular releases including 2 Fast 2 Furious, The Matrix Reloaded, X2, Daddy Day Care, Bruce Almighty and The Italian Job.

The advert will be 30 seconds in length.

If you’d like to discuss the news please visit this thread of the Die Another Day Forums. Thanks to john007, Notorious and Joe for the tip-off.

US Release Date And Price Confirmed

The release date and recommended retail price for the Region 1 Die Another Day DVD have been announced.

The DVD will hit United States shelves on June 3, a full month after the Region 2 release in the United Kingdom.

The double-disc DVD will retail for $29.98.

If you’d like to discuss this news please visit this thread of the Die Another Day Forums. Thanks to Mike for sending in the tip-off

R2 UK Cover Revealed

In several German DVD catalouges a cover for the RC2 DVD of Die Another
Day has appearerd. No word was said in any of these catalouges where the
covers come from, but since we know the RC1 DVD’s will have this
cover, the one which appeared in the German catalouges will most likely be the
RC2 Cover.

MGM Home Entertainment UK have confirmed that this cover art will be used for the Region 2 UK cover. Other region 2 versions, including Germany, are yet to be finalised. Though it should be noted that this edition of the cover excludes the certificate rating 12 logo indicating it may be used across a wide European audience.

Thanks to Stefan Liebetanz for the alert, and be sure to discuss the cover
in this
thread of CBn’s Die
Another Day Forums!

No Deleted Scenes On DAD DVD

MGM Home Entertainment have confirmed that no immediate release of Die Another Day on DVD in any region will include deleted scenes as an extra feature.

The inclusion of a deleted scenes first appeared in late November 2002 when an online retailer posting an extras list for the DVD. What is most disappointing is that most of that list has been confirmed for the DVD release, indicating that the deleted scenes, with audio commentry by Lee Tamahori, has actually been removed from the release.

Disappointingly few Bond DVDs feature any deleted scenes, despite the option being heavily sought after in the DVD collection community. Bond fans can only hope for subsequent rereleases of ‘ultimate editions’.

If you’d like to discuss the exclusion please visit this thread of the Die Another Day Forums.

DAD DVD In Widescreen Only

Reports that the Region 2 Die Another Day DVD would feature the film in both widescreen and ‘pan and scan’ have been denied by MGM Home Entertainment.

The indication that a ‘pan and scan’ version would appear on the DVD came from an initial press release over the DVD’s content, which has since been updated.

If you’d like to discuss the change please visit this thread of the Die Another Day Forums.

Bill Clinton Again Touted For Cameo

Former US President Bill Clinton has again been rumoured for a cameo appearance in a James Bond film, this time Bond 21.

Britain’s Daily Mail reported that actor Pierce Brosnan asked Clinton if he’d be interested in appearing in the next James Bond film, and Clinton “told Brosnan to arrange a meeting with his agent and see if a part and suitable pay cheque could be worked out”.

Obviously the news is about as true as it was during the Bond 20 rumour mill, where it appeared on January 14, 2001. The new article also states that filming for Bond 21 will begin in 2004, though 2005 is the year currently indicated by MGM.

If you’d like to discuss this rumour please visit this thread of the Bond 21 Forums. Thanks to mkkbb for the tip-off.

Source: Sky News

DAD Misses Out On BAFTA

Die Another Day has missed out on the Orange Film Of The Year award at this years British Academy Film Awards.

Die Another Day was one of ten top grossing films for 2002 to receive a nomination. The list included Monsters Inc, Star Wars Episode II, Spider-Man and Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.

The award, which is voted for by the public, was given to Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers.

If you’d like to discuss the loss please visit this thread of the Die Another Day Forum. Thanks to Tehuti 004 for the tip-off.