Bondstars signing with Casino Royale's Sebastian Foucan

Bondstars.com is holding a private signing with Sébastien Foucan (Mollaka in Casino Royale) for those that cannot make Fan Festival 2010, which takes place on 24 April.

• The cost per signed item is £28.00, this includes worldwide postage and packing.
• Sébastien will happily dedicate a still if required (please keep the dedication short e.g To John, Best Wishes etc), instructions are given in the Paypal payment section on the website. Bondstars.com and Sébastien Foucan have the right to edit dedications if felt necessary.
• All orders must be received by 18 April. Your item(s) will be shipped week beginning 1 May 2010.
• All stills included on the website are 10″ x 8″.

Visit Bondstars.com to order and for complete details on this James Bond signing.

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Sir Sean Connery-hosted runway is mad for plaid

Sir Sean Connery-hosted runway is mad for plaid

Sean Connery celebrated Scotland’s eclectic style with a fashion show featuring celebrities, athletes and wounded war veterans in modernized kilts, capes and beanies from that country’s top designers.

Connery said Monday’s Dressed to Kilt, marking its seventh year, “certainly brings together a very interesting mix of people.”

Sir Sean Connery

Mike Myers, in a kilt, argyle socks and sneakers, was first on the catwalk at the Chelsea nightclub space, appearing sandwiched between bagpipers from the 48th Highlanders of Canada. Al Roker was close behind in a longer kilt, paired with bright yellow socks.

Joan Jett was a crowd-pleaser in her door-knocker bra top, patent-leather trench coat, micro-mini kilt and an outrageous feather headpiece by William Chambers, and Kelly Bensimon and Kellie Pickler each wore tiny corset dresses.

Scottish export Alan Cumming wore an all-matching plaid three-piece kilt suit, and actors Kyle MacLachlan and Sam Waterston also seemed pretty comfy in their kilts. Speed skater Shani Davis accessorized with his Olympic gold medal.

But while there was a thoroughly festive atmosphere on stage, the mood became respectful when veterans from the Wounded Warrior Project appeared as models. Amputees Dan Nevins, Ryan Kules and Dawn Halfaker were among those appearing in full Scottish garb who brought the audience to their feet.

The fashion show raises money for Friends of Scotland, a nonprofit founded by Connery. Proceeds were to be split by between Wounded Warriors, the Paralyzed Veterans of America and the Scottish equivalent group, the Erksine Hospital. A pop-up shop on Madison Avenue selling some of the items from Dressed to Kilt will be open through April 13.

Connery has been known to wear kilts for other occasions, but, watching from a roped-off VIP area with Donald and Melania Trump, he opted for trousers and a turtleneck.

“I know nothing about fashion, but I’m very fortunate,” Connery said. “If the clothes are halfway decent, I can wear them—as long as I stick to my diet.”

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Pierce Brosnan: Had to break the James Bond shackles

Pierce Brosnan has revealed he’s been working hard to ‘break the shackles’ of James Bond, since stepping down as 007 in 2004.

Pierce Brosnan

The 56-year-old was Golden Globe nominated for his first major post Bond role, in 2005’s The Matador, and appears in five new films this year, but feels the mantle of the iconic character is hard to shake.

Brosnan told the LA Times: ‘At the time, I was definitely still very connected to the image and the history of Bond, even when I was in it – it just lives with you.’

He continued: ‘It permeates your life. And you know that going in, but the reality of it – the overcoat is really large, and can be quite heavy at times. So you have to break the shackles of that.’

The Irish-born actor’s roles this year include Remember Me with Robert Pattinson, Roman Polanski’s The Ghost Writer, and fantasy adventure Percy Jackson And The Olympians.

He revealed: ‘I said to my agents, ‘Look, it’s time to really work, and to find and explore other avenues here as an actor.’ It doesn’t have to be leading roles. Let’s not be tripped up by past information. It’s time to try and have longevity as an actor.’

Click here for the entire interview with Pierce Brosnan on escaping James Bond’s looming shadow.

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Sir Sean Connery lends voice to Sir Billi animated film

Former James Bond star Sir Sean Connery has lent his voice to the title character in Scotland’s first animated feature film, Sir Billi Billi Productions Ltd. said.

The family movie, which is a collaboration between Glasgow-based Billi Productions Ltd. and the independent studio Glasgow Animation, is now in post-production and expected to be finished by this summer, Sascha Hartmann, co-founder of Billi Productions Ltd., announced Wednesday.

Sir Sean Connery

Hartmann is directing Sir Billi from a screenplay written by his wife Tessa Hartmann from an original story they developed together.

John Fraser is producing, with Connery serving as executive producer.

Expanded to a feature-length CGI film from a 2006 short concept, the adventure flick is set in the Scottish Highlands and also features the voice talents of Alan Cumming, Miriam Margolyes, Alex Norton, Ford Kiernan and Barbara Rafferty.

‘We sent a DVD to Sir Sean via a mutual acquaintance and heard nothing for a few weeks when suddenly the phone rang. It was Sir Sean personally explaining that his grandchildren had taken the DVD from his home and kept it. They loved it that much. “If it’s good enough for them, it’s good enough for me!” he said, and with that, we met a few weeks later when he came to Scotland. We’ve been working closely with him ever since,’ Tessa Hartmann said in a statement.

‘I’m excited to be a part of this incredible film and Scotland’s first animated feature,’ added Connery. ‘Sir Billi is truly a first-class film, with an exceptional cast, and is sure to delight audiences of all ages.’

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Rumour control: Rachel Weisz under consideration for Bond 23?

Although the never-ending sale of MGM seems to have put a damper on Bond 23 for the time-being, we do have one brand new rumour to report on…

Rachel Weisz for Bond 23?

An unnamed, but ‘reliable, proven source’ at Cinema Blend has broken the news that Academy Award-winning actress Rachel Weisz may be under consideration for a major role in the 23rd James Bond film—as the villain.

The source states that Weisz would play the head of Quantum, the villainous organization featured in both Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace which includes Mr. White and the deceased Dominic Greene as its members.

It’s incredibly tricky to pinpoint just exactly how likely this rumour is of turning out true. Understandably, Cinema Blend cautions readers with the following note:

What we can tell you in this case is that our information comes from a reliable, proven source who’s broken numerous, since confirmed stories to us over a period of several years. For instance, it was this same source that was the first anywhere to break the news that Black Widow would be in Iron Man 2. But as with all rumors, even when they’re from a proven source like this one, it’s just rumor until it can be confirmed by a second, independent source. In fact this particular source affirmed that in our communication, reiterating that it’s still very early in the process and that because of this, “things can change in a heartbeat and they might even try to deny what I told you but that’s what’s the brainstorming going on now.” Now you know what we know.

Weisz is presently filming the thriller Dream House along with Daniel Craig. Her past notable films include The Lovely Bones, The Constant Gardener, Runaway Jury and The Mummy.

As always, CommanderBond.net will keep you updated with all the latest news circling Bond 23.

007 alumni Timothy Dalton and Steven Berkoff join The Tourist

Two former James Bond film stars have just joined the cast of Sony’s romantic thriller The Tourist.

Timothy Dalton

Monsters & Critics reports that Timothy Dalton (007 himself, of course) and Steven Berkoff (the eccentric General Orlov in Octopussy) have been added to the cast alongside Paul Bettany and Rufus Sewell.

The film, which features Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp in the lead roles, is directed by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck and written by Julian Fellowes & Christopher McQuarrie and Jeffrey Nachmanoff.

The production is currently shooting on location in Venice and centers on a broken hearted American tourist visiting Italy who pursues a romance with a mysterious woman who crosses his path. They are then caught in a web of intrigue and danger. It is due out in 2011.

Keep turning to the CommanderBond.net main page and our Discussion Forums for all the latest news from the world of James Bond.

Sam Worthington on James Bond: 'It wasn't right for me'

Australian actor Sam Worthington’s name has been in the news lately thanks to the unprecedented worldwide success of James Cameron’s Avatar, but some fans may be unaware that he was one of the final contenders for the role of James Bond #6.

James Bond #6 contender Sam Worthington

As reported back on CommanderBond.net way back in 2005, (see The Men Who Could Have Been Bond), it was revealed that a then much more ‘unknown’ Worthington was one of the full dress screen-test finalists alongside Daniel Craig and Henry Cavill for the Casino Royale role.

In a new interview posted at NDTV Movies, Worthington reflects on the 007 casting, stating: ‘I held off and held off doing the audition because I couldn’t find a way into the character.’

‘When I finally did I went for it. I got a half a day of acting with Casino Royale director Martin Campbell. I got to do some scenes with some great actors, gave it my all, and it wasn’t right for me.’

However, he adds that the Bond casting gave him the experience to push on for the Avatar role later in his career. ‘I was backing myself,’ he adds. ‘I had nothing to lose and everything to gain. I thought the least I’ll get out of this is to act a few scenes with James Cameron, and that’s a hell of an opportunity.’

‘I learned that from going for the James Bond audition. If I give it all I’ve got and still don’t get the part, then so be it. This time I did.’

Keep turning to the CommanderBond.net main page and our Discussion Forums for all the latest news from the world of James Bond.

Sean Bean to star in war drama based on Ian Fleming's 30 Commando unit

Ian Fleming

GoldenEye star Sean Bean has been announced as starring in a new war drama based upon Ian Fleming’s 30 Commando unit.

According to the Belfast Telegraph, Bean will appear alongside Danny Dyer and Rosie Fellner in Age of Heroes.

Co-written by Vitoria and Ed Scates, the drama is the first in a planned trilogy based upon the formation of the 30 Commando unit, a unit the James Bond creator established to undertake top secret intelligence-gathering missions during World War II.

The film, which will be directed by Adrian Vitoria, is due to begin shooting on location in Norway early next month.

Keep turning to the CommanderBond.net main page and our Discussion Forums for all the latest news from the world of James Bond.

Freida Pinto denies Bond girl rumours

Actress Freida Pinto has put an end to the seemingly nonstop rumours that she would be appearing alongside Daniel Craig in the forthcoming Bond 23.

An unnamed source for British tabloid The Daily Mirror had started a media frenzy with the comment: ‘Freida was always the dream Bond girl, but initially she was nervous about accepting it. This is going to be the most ambitious 007 yet.’

However, the rep for the Slumdog Millionaire actress has dismissed the stories, stating that there has been no dialogue between Pinto and the James Bond producers.

Her spokesperson told India’s NDTV: ‘I would like to confirm that as of today, Freida Pinto has not been approached to be part of the next Bond film.’

As always, keep turning to the CommanderBond.net main page and our Discussion Forums for all the latest news from the world of 007.

La Sexta grabs Quantum of Solace in free-to-air deal with MGM

Spanish broadcaster La Sexta has grabbed free-to-air rights on 10 James Bond films in a new deal with MGM.

Quantum of Solace

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the broadcaster picked up the rights to the 007 films, including 2008’s Quantum of Solace. The deal is due to begin in April with a run of five of the Bond films.

It is the second high-profile signing for La Sexta in the past two weeks, following the three-year exclusive output deal with Warner Bros. The broadcaster, which averages about 7% audience share, had shied away from major Hollywood deals until recenty.

The deal also includes the Rocky and Robocop franchises, as well as “Conan the Destroyer.

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