Darcey Bussel To Be Bond Girl?

Release seven minutes ago and Annanova and you get it here now on Bond 20 @ Blue Haze Movies.

Sorry about the plug above, just had to do it!! Well I doubt many of you would haev heard about Darcey Bussel. She’s a ballerina / actress and has previously appeared in the film True Blue and auditioned for the remake of Sabrina, though she didn’t get the role.

Interestingly enough this report reveals a little more about the Bond film (presuming it’s true). Apparently other members of the Royal Ballet will also appear in the film which will include a specially choreographed ballet by Ashley Page.

So if true could we see the main femfatale as a balet dancer much like Myram D’Abo’s character of Kara in The Living Daylights was a chello player? Who knows! But we’ll endeavour to find out for you.

Until then, read the whole report below and discuss this in the Bond 20 Forums. Also, we’re trying to find more pictures. If you find any yourself please e-mail them to [email protected].

Darcey Bussell is to star in the new James Bond film alongside Pierce Brosnan.

The ballerina has previously appeared in the film True Blue and auditioned for the remake of Sabrina.

Filming is due to start at the end of August with the title sequence being filmed at the Royal Opera House.

Other members of the Royal Ballet will also appear in the film which will include a specially choreographed ballet by Ashley Page.

Bussell said: “I adore James Bond films with Sean Connery being my favourite Bond of all time. But I am really looking forward to working with Pierce Brosnan who I had met a few times at the Opera House before I auditioned with him.”

Bussell is preparing to wear an all-over rubber catsuit for the title sequence.

With the filming starting just six weeks after the expected birth of her first child, Bussell is keeping up her schedule of daily ballet class.

John Cleese To Play Gadget Man

Annanova has reported that comedian John Cleese is to play James Bond’s new gadget assistant.

The comedian will take over from the late Desmond Llewellyn, who played Q in 17 Bond films.

Back on the 8th of January 2000 we reported this news in which Empire Online confirmed that Cleese has signed for a further three films.

However, this latest report seems to indicate that Cleese’s character may be ‘Q’, as in Quartermaster. That’s how many have reported it.

If you want to discuss the notion of Q and R please visit our Bond 20 Forums.

Brosnan Talks About The Director Of Bond 20

This one comes as a surprise to me (Daniel ‘Blue Eyes’ Dykes) too. After his great stint helming The World Is Not Enough and all the reports that he will return, it seems that director Michael Apted (who directed the wonderful 7 Up series) may not return to helm Bond 20.

This report comes from Dark Horizons:

Pierce Brosnan has been talking about potential candidates to helm the next 007 film, and one man in particular: “It would be great to have Ang Lee, I saw Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and I said to him. I’d love you to do James Bond. He said he’d love to do James Bond and I believe he was sincere”. There’s a catch, Lee always has final cut on his movies – something never given on a Bond movie before.

This news did come as a shock to me, but I can confirm that I was recently speaking to someone (name and details withheld for privacy’s sake) who mentioned that Apted probably wouldn’t be helming the film.

Please please please discuss this in the Bond 20 Forums, I’d really love to hear everyone’s opinion on it.

Russel Crowe As James Bond?

Well it’s not exactly Bond 20 news but where else could I post it? Well those more patriotic Bond fans reading this may know who John Glen is, but in a nut shell he had an influence on a lot of Bond films in areas such as directing and editing.

Well now the veteran director is making suggestions for a replacement for Pierce Brosnan. And it is no other than recent Oscar Winner Russell Crowe (Gladiator)

Well yeah. I don’t know what else to add. Discuss this in the Bond 20 Forums freely, where this topic began some time ago and now seems fairly relevant!!

Here’s the full report with some added quotes 🙂

What odds for Russell Crowe as the next James Bond? They may well have shortened this morning after John Glen, the man who has directed five of the Bond movies, said that Crowe is the ‘only man’ who could take over the licence to kill. ‘I see the Bond movies going on for another 20 years and I can’t think of anyone better than Russell to fill his shoes,’ said the veteran director, adding: ‘To play Bond you need a great screen presence and someone who is believable in the part. Looking at him you could easily imagine Russell capable of savagely bumping off the baddies with a wry comment.’ Many think that after proving his action credentials in Gladiator and Proof Of Life, the natural next step would be to take over the role immortalised by Sir Sean Connery and Roger Moore when present incumbent Pierce Brosnan retires from the role. We haven’t yet seen him wielding a Walther PPK, but on present form the Kiwi hunk would certainly be able to handle Bond’s legendary womanising.

EON Productions Talk To Bond20@BHM – Exclusive!

Hold The Presses…

This news is just in and a massive exclusive to Bond20 @ Blue Haze Movies and CommanderBond.Net. David Winter managed to interview a spokesperson from EON Productions this afternoon. With this guarnteed information on James Bond 20 this is what we can tell you.

In recent news Whitney Houston has been rumoured to have secured a role in James Bond 20. We can now inform you that this news is false. The truth is that Houston is not ‘currently’ invovled with the upcoming film, however, Michael G Wilson and Barbara Brocoli will meet with her on their next visit to Los Angeles contrary to other reports which have said Houston will travel to Great Britain to meet them their. As for why they are interviewing Houston? Well “she’s just in talks”.

Moving away from Whitney Houston you’ll recall a recent news article in which Pierce Brosnan had commented that they finally have a script. Well, many people including myself took this as confirmation that the script is completed and perhaps waiting for further drafts. We can tell you that the final script has not been completed and there is currently no scheduled date for when it will be completed.

Which takes us to our next point. Remember the UK release date on November 22, 2002? Well that’s not entirely true. The release date has not been released. What does this mean? Well it could be November 22nd and then again it may not be 🙂 But don’t worry, we’ll keep you posted.

And finally something on Pierce Brosnan and future movies. We can confirm that Brosnan does have a standing contract with MGM, but for how long? Well that couldn’t be revealed. So is Bond 20 Brosnan’s last? Perhaps not. You’ll recall rumours from January 2000 where Empire Online reported that Brosnan was in negotiation to do seven Bond films altogether. So is this true? We don’t know, only time will tell.

Well that’s all for this major exclusive. We’ll keep you posted should we hear any more. But I (Daniel Dykes) can already confirm that in a few days we’ll have more from EON Productions, this time from another informant, about Bond 20 moving into production and when it will be film, so keep your eyes out! As per usual you can discuss all this news in our exclusive Bond 20 Forums.

Thanks to everyone who worked hard to bring this news to press.

Clearing Up Whitney

Looking through our Bond 20 Forums I’ve found a lot of people are confused about the last news report on Whitney Houston. Being the Number 1 source for Bond 20 news I’ve done some primary investigation (more still happening) and I’d like to clear up something.

Earlier today I spoke with Laurent Perriot, President of Club James Bond 007 France, who you’ll recall was mentioned in yesterdays report. To help clear up things he told me this:

I didn’t [personally speek] with that lady from MGM, it was a news [article on Reuters].

But I called Eon Productions ltd, Friday afternoon, and they confirmed me that MGM has asked Michael Wilson and Barbara to consider Whitney Houston for a part in Bond 20…

So it seems to be more an idea of MGM [then] from EON…

That’s fairly simple to understand. But to recap, the producers of the Bond Series (who have the final decisions on casting and most everything else) who are EON Productions have not requested a meeting with Whitney Houston. Rather, it is MGM who distribute the film who have asked EON to ‘take a look’ at Whitney.

This is still being discussed in the Bond 20 Forums, and of course more particularily in this thread.

More About That Whitney Houston News

We’re back with more info on the rumour that Whitney Houston may be lining up for a role in Bond 20 which we posted on the 21st of March (you can find that news report here). Well the French Club James Bond 007, who are a very reputable source, have spoken with EON Productions and found out this:

Amanda Lundberg, a spokesperson for MGM, has confirmed that Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson will be talking with the singer in the near future, although Ms Lundberg describes the talks as “general in nature.”

Nancy Seltzer, the agent of Whitney Houston also confirmed this meeting.

Club James Bond 007 have also posted this:

This meeting is in fact a request of the MGM which would wish to make turn the singer in twentieth film of the series.

which seems to indicate that Houston may not be up for a role but rather for singing the title song.

Other sites such as 007Forever have been quick to jump at this saying that “The notion of Whitney Houston as a Bond Woman is being floated around by her “people”, who are desperate for any positive spin or publicity.”.

They’ve also mentioned that her rumoured drug problems, back stage antics and drama queen ploys are not needed on a movie set [At this time I’d like to say to Houston fans that I’m not saying this, I’m just reporting that another site has said it!] “where most people are family and have known each other for years.”

That aside it’s unknown as to the role of Houston in Bond 20. It’s most likely that she’s being lined up for the title song seeing she is a singer, though this normally happens about 9 months before the release of the movie. Does the extra time mean she is being considered for something more? Maybe. Maybe not.

A discussion (that is somtimes a little fiery) has started at this thread in the Bond 20 Forums and it would be great to see you there! So please come and voice your opinion.

News On Bond 20 From Pinewood Studio's

He’s an friend, an old source and very reliable and he’s checking back in with us here at Bond 20 @ Blue Haze Movies. His last report can be found here if you’re interested.

So what is the latest news about filming at Pinewood? Let out spy tell you in his own words.

Just to let you know that the filming has been delayed at Pinewood until later this year. no date has been given yet.

There isn’t much going on at the minute because of this delay. no-one hasgiven a reason for delay in shooting, however, i do believe the release time
won’t be affected.

Now please note that our spy does not necessarily work at Pinewood but is somehow invovled in that faction of movie creation 🙂 And we can’t say exactly what because, well, we keep our spys idendities as secret as possible.

As always you can discuss this news and other news in the Bond 20 Forums. It would be great to see you there!

Whitney Houston Reportedly Lined Up for Bond Film – UPDATED

Yes, that’s right, Bond news keeps getting weirder and weirder. This report (below) comes from Reuters, however, they’re basing their report on Britain’s Tabloid, “The Sun”. So please keep that in mind and take it at face value.

Personally, I (Blue Eyes) don’t believe that they’d cast Whiteney Houston in the role. But that’s just my opinion. Want to share yours? Then discuss this in the Bond 20 Forums here or at this thread where a discussion has already begun.

LONDON (Reuters) – Pop diva Whitney Houston is being lined up to star in the next James Bond film, Britain’s top-selling Sun tabloid reported Wednesday.

Houston has agreed in principle to appear alongside Pierce Brosnan, the latest incarnation of British secret agent 007, and is waiting for confirmation from movie bosses, the paper said.

The singer, who appeared in the box office hit “The Bodyguard” with Kevin Costner, is set to follow in the footsteps of actresses such as Ursula Andress, Grace Jones and Denise Richards as a “Bond girl.”

“The movie bosses think Whitney would make a fantastic Bond girl and are desperately working out a deal which will be acceptable,” the Sun quoted an unidentified source as saying.

The final decision will rest with Dana Broccoli, widow of famous Bond film producer Albert Broccoli, who has the last word on everything to do with the 007 franchise, the tabloid said.

It said the movie would be filmed later this year, but did not give its title.

Brosnan Talks Bond 20 – Updated

To read the update please visit the bottom of the article.

Pierce Brosnan has spoken with Cindy Pearlman, who writes Cin City on Cinescape. Though a seemingly ‘general’ chat quite a few issues were raised, including Bond 20!

Though not offering any plot hints Brosnan has released some points, more from his own point of view:

“I want this next Bond to be the most surprising and realistic of any I’ve done,” he says.

Will Brosnan spill the beans about Bond’s next
mission? Are you kidding? But he will say he plans to up the action ante again.

Of course Brosnan has also given his usual comment about the larger gap between Bond 19 & 20.

“If the studio had its way, we’d be churning them out
every 18 months. I think it’s wiser to have much
larger gaps between them,” Brosnan says. “It’s a
taxing movie, and you need to rest up between
adventures.”

As for when filming will actually begin? Well all that can be gathered from this article is “soon”.

Brosnan has also recently spoken with FilmReview UK (though they’ve
now taken the news down I think cause I can’t find
their old news) he dropped this great comment: “We
finally have a script now, so we’ll be forging ahead
with the next film”

So where does this leave Bond 20? Well we know there is a script. However, filming won’t begin till after the upcoming Actors Strike, which from memory takes place in June. So until then, perhaps quite a few sets will be built! Let’s see what we can find out!

Feel free to discuss this news in the Bond 20 Forums, exclusive to CommanderBond.Net.

Update:

I (Blue Eyes) just found this further quote that TeleText didn’t print:

“So we’ll be forging ahead with the next film. I’m on record as saying that I want this next Bond to be the most surprising and realistic of any I’ve done. I don’t know why that frightens the studio and the producers so much.”

We’ve seem some of that quote, but the last part is interesting. I wonder just ‘how’ realistic Brosnan wants it. Maybe as sexually realistic as The Thomas Crown Affair or perhaps more violence and blood? Please discuss that one in the forums! For the full article on this (very short, we have more here) visit this link.