George Leech (1921 – 2012)

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of James Bond stuntman, George Leech, who passed away Sunday 17th June 2012. He was 91. Leech was involved in many of the early Bond films, as well as playing various henchmen from 1962’s ‘Dr No’,  up untill 1985’s ‘A View To A Kill’. He doubled George Lazenby as well as Roger Moore. His other credits include “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang”, “Revenge Of The Pink Panther”, and ‘Superman’.

He is survived by his two daughters.

James Bond ‘Fragrance For Men’ First Look

Photographer Greg Williams gives us a sneak peak at  a ‘Fragrance For Men’ trailer. One of the many products being released in 2012 to coincide with the 50th Anniversary of James Bond.

SFX Magazine is counting to 23

In a series of weekly extensive articles SFX Magazine’s website is going to review the Bond films. The series already started at the end of May and has since reviewed ‘Doctor No’, ‘From Russia With Love’ and ‘Goldfinger‘.

This week’s article concerns itself – of course – with ‘Thunderball’.

The pieces are written with obvious admiration for the series and the topic, and provide many details the casual fan may not be aware of. Definitely recommended.

Thanks to CBn Forum member quantumofsolace for the alarm about this retrospective that otherwise might have escaped us.

WhatCulture! is decidedly optimistic about ‘Skyfall’

Yesterday popular entertainment-themed website WhatCulture! took a closer look at the eagerly expected third Craig outing. And came up with “5 Reasons Why Skyfall Might Be The Best James Bond Film Ever”.

Members of the CommanderBond.net Forums may experience a sense of deja-vu reading this headline, but WhatCulture! gives the topic serious thought and provides sound reasoning.

Read their full story here.

Bardem: ‘Skyfall’ is an accomplished, powerful and typical Bond movie

Javier Bardem has insisted that ‘Skyfall’ has everything that you can expect from a Bond movie, and so much more.

Speaking to Total Film, Bardem said “I think it’s always about the material in the script. When I read it, I felt ‘Wow, this is powerful!’ Of course, you have everything that you can expect in James Bond movies, but it has more than that. It’s very accomplished and powerful. And then I talked to Sam (Mendes) and he gave me his ideas. I thought they were very good – brave, in some way.”

Javier Bardem joins an all star cast in the latest James Bond movie, which will be released October 26th.

Chris Cornell backs Adele for ‘Skyfall’ Theme

Chris Cornell, singer of’ ”You Know My Name”, has told MTV that he thinks Adele would be the perfect choice to helm the main title song for Skyfall. The Casino Royale singer praised the rising star at this year’s London Download Festival.

“Adele would be the perfect choice – I can’t think of a better one,” said the star.  “She’s phenomenal and it’s nice, in a day and age where so many vocals are fixed by computers, that the biggest album of last year was somebody who sings for real. I would hate to see music become more mechanistic and less human, so her success has been great.”

Adele has been rumoured for the Skyfall main theme as early as 2011, where Thunderball singer Tom Jones also praised the singing sensation, saying that performing the main title track for the 4th James Bond movie had a huge impact on his career.

Whether Adele is going to perform the track for the 50th Anniversary Bond movie remains to be seen. We expect to hear official confirmation of the artist chosen near the end of the post-production process.

A Longing for Excess, Destruction and Death-defying Courage

In May German newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitungvisited the SKYFALL shooting in Istanbul. Last Saturday’s edition finally had the story. CommanderBond.net brings you the translation.MINOR SPOILERS POSSIBLE! continue reading…

New Birmingham IMAX in time for ‘Skyfall’

Birmingham is due to receive a brand new IMAX screen in time for the release of ‘Skyfall’, the first James Bond movie to be released in the format, which offers greater screen size and resolution.

A year after the City lost its ten-year-old screen at Millenium Point, IMAX is making its way back. Cineworld Broad Street is set to benefit from a near £1 million investment in the technology.

Manager Paul Millington said he was looking forward to having IMAX at his cinema.

“Our IMAX screen will go into Screen 6, which is one of our biggest,” he said.

“We will lose around 80 seats at the front, but everyone else will then be faced with this huge screen. Because it’s a false ceiling above the theatre, we can take the new screen really high inside the auditorium.

We’re hoping to have it installed in time for the new Bond movie at the end of October.”

M’s role in ‘Skyfall’

As ‘Skyfall’ draws closer, CBn takes a look at M’s role in the highly anticipated 23rd James Bond film. Massive Spoilers Ahead, so read at your own risk.

continue reading…

Bardem talks ‘Skyfall’ experience

Javier Bardem, the main villain ‘Silva’ in the 23rd Bond film ‘Skyfall’, has briefly spoken about his experience working on the film, as well as heaping praise on Director Sam Mendes and current James Bond star Daniel Craig.

“It’s like a gift,” says Bardem to The National. “I’m 43 years old, so I remember going to see the Bond movies with my father and mother.”

Bardem has been shooting the movie across London. “It’s also shooting in Istanbul and some other places I’m not allowed to say. It’s amazing to think we’re still shooting when we have to be opening in, what, six months.”

According to Bardem, Mendes is doing a “great job”.

What about Craig? Bardem’s response is certainly an endorsement. “He’s very, very funny, a great colleague, and so strong,” says Bardem. “He’s shooting non-stop and I’m thinking: ‘Oh my God, I don’t know how you do it’.

He’s on top of all the stunts, and I go, ‘man, if I were you, I would be a mess’. In my opinion, he’s a great Bond.”

Going on Bardem’s track record, we’re in store for a great villain as well come late this year.