'Dr. No' Screening In Minnesota On 17 July

007 fans will be able to catch James Bond’s debut adventure this upcoming July in Rochester, Minnesota.

Sean Connery’s Dr. No will be screened along with several other family-friendly films at the Movies on the Barn event at the History Center of Olmsted County.

The Post Bulletin reports that the history center is inviting nonprofit organizations to host pre-movie activities to raise funds for their organizations. The pre-show activities will start between 6:00 and 7:00pm and can be whatever the organizations want to do.

Movies, including the Dr. No screening, start at dusk, between 9:00 and 10:00pm and are free to attend. The history center will sell concessions, including popcorn. Bring your own lawnchair or blanket. Coolers are welcome.

The history center is at 1195 W. Circle Dr. S.W. in Rochester, Minnesota.

Keep your browsers locked on the CommanderBond.net main page—and our brand new Twitter feed—for all the latest James Bond-related news.

Neal Purvis, Robert Wade And Peter Morgan To Write 'Bond 23'

The first major Bond 23 news broke today with the announcement of the film’s screenwriting team: Neal Purvis, Robert Wade and Peter Morgan.

Peter Morgan

Purvis and Wade are familiar names to the world of James Bond, having written or co-written every James Bond film since 1999’s The World Is Not Enough, as well as the ill-fated Jinx spin-off.

Peter Morgan is the Oscar-nominated writer of such films as The Queen, The Last King of Scotland, and most recently, Frost/Nixon.

Morgan appears to have replaced Paul Haggis, who up until this week was tipped to return, as the film’s critically-acclaimed heavy-hitting scribe.

No shooting start date for Bond 23 has been announced, and all three writers are currently working on other productions.

The full press release follows.

Morgan, Purvis and Wade to work on Bond, James Bond

LOS ANGELES, June 12 – Producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli of EON Productions Ltd and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures have today announced that Peter Morgan (Frost/Nixon, The Queen), Neal Purvis and Robert Wade (Quantum of Solace, Casino Royale) will be the screenwriters of the 23rd James Bond adventure.

Daniel Craig will reprise his role as Ian Fleming’s James Bond 007 in the film, which will be a MGM release of an EON production. Bond 23 is the latest installment in the longest-running franchise in motion picture history and will be produced by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli. A date for the start of production is yet to be confirmed.

“Peter, Neal and Robert are extraordinarily talented and we’re looking forward to working with the three of them,” commented Wilson and Broccoli.

Peter Morgan is the award-winning writer of such films as The Last King of Scotland, The Queen and Frost/Nixon, which was based on his play. He has also scripted the upcoming The Special Relationship for HBO and Hereafter for DreamWorks. He will turn his attention to Bond 23 on completion of these duties. Morgan is represented by UTA (US) and Independent Talent Group (UK).

Since 1991 Neal Purvis and Robert Wade have collaborated on a diverse range of projects including The Italian Job, Johnny English and the past four Bond films. They recently adapted John Le Carre’s The Mission Song and are also working on the upcoming sequel The Brazilian Job. Purvis and Wade are represented by Endeavor (US), Casarotto Ramsay & Associates (UK).

There is still no word on when Bond 23 will hit cinemas, but sources tell Variety that EON and MGM are eyeing a 2011 release.

Keep turning to the CBn main page—and our brand new Twitter feed—for the most up-to-date Bond coverage on the net.

Christopher Lee To Receive Knighthood

Christopher Lee

It has been announced today that actor Christopher Lee is to receive a knighthood.

The 87-year old British veteran of more than 250 film and television credits has been recognized on the Queen’s birthday honours list for his services to drama and charity.

A step-cousin of James Bond creator Ian Fleming, Lee is best known by 007 fans for his memorable role as the charming, but deadly Francisco Scaramanga in The Man with the Golden Gun.

Besides squaring off against Bond, Lee’s numerous other villain roles include Count Dracula in a set of Hammer Horror fims, Count Dooku in the Star Wars series, as well as Saruman in The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

For more details on those being honoured, visit this Guardian article.

Keep your browsers locked on the CommanderBond.net main page—and our brand new Twitter feed—for all the latest James Bond-related news.

Will Paul Haggis Be Back For 'Bond 23'?

A brief paragraph written by The Observer‘s Jason Solomons is stirring up a bit of discussion amongst James Bond fans.

Paul Haggis

After reporting that Paul Haggis has lined up the tentatively-titled The Next Three Days as his latest project, Solomons mentions that the screenwriter-director is also tipped to ‘feature as script writer’ on the latest 007 film, Bond 23.

So far, details on what will be Daniel Craig’s third time around as Bond are being kept to a strict minimum. In mid-May, CommanderBond.net reported that work had commenced on the film, which is expected to feature an original story. Just yesterday, it was reported that the opium trade in Afghanistan may feature in the film, although Eon Productions refused to issue any comment.

If Haggis does indeed return for Bond 23, this will also be his third 007 adventure, having received screenplay credits for both Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace.

Do you think Haggis should return? Cast your vote in the poll and discuss your opinion here on the CBn Forums.

Keep turning to the CommanderBond.net main page—and our brand new Twitter feed—for the most up-to-date Bond coverage on the net.

Is James Bond Bound For Afghanistan?

According to guardian.co.uk, James Bond may be headed to the Middle East for his next adventure.

The site reports that a former Foreign Office official from the British Embassy in Kabul was recruited by the 007 team to provide technical advice about the country’s lucrative opium trade.

The official has reportedly signed a confidentiality agreement that precludes them from discussing the project.

What might give this report extra credence is the fact that last year’s bestselling centenary novel, Sebastian Faulks’ Devil May Care, was concerned with the opium trade in Persia (now Iran). Bond producers had previously ruled out a Devil May Care adaptation.

Ian Fleming’s 007 short story “Risico”, from the For Your Eyes Only collection, also featured a plot involving the drugs trade.

Eon Productions refused to comment on the Afghanistan reports.

The drug trade in Afghanistan also featured prominently in 1987’s The Living Daylights, starring Timothy Dalton.

Keep turning to the CBn main page—and our brand new Twitter feed—for the most up-to-date Bond coverage on the net.

Pierce Brosnan: Keeping James Bond Relevant

Following up the first part of a retrospective of Pierce Brosnan’s Tomorrow Never Dies, Voices From Krypton has now posted the second half of an audio interview with the James Bond star.

Taking place in late 1997, interviewer Ed Gross had the opportunity to speak with Brosnan just as he was about to embark upon a massive press and publicity tour for the then-upcoming 18th official 007 film, Tomorrow Never Dies.

Tomorrow Never Dies

In this section of the interview, Brosnan stressed the importance of he film’s focus on the power of the media and how this was integral to keeping Bond relevant today.

He said: ‘The question over and over again is now that the Cold War is over, what is James Bond going to do? Well, we’ve still got MI6/MI5 and Russia still has some semblance of whatever they’ve got over there … you know, countries still have secrets. So, I think Bond is still relevant in regards to world events.’

Nowhere is the media more noticeable in Tomorrow Never Dies than in its lead villain, the eccentric Elliot Carver. Commenting on the charater, Brosnan said: ‘When you have someone as charismatic and flamboyant as Jonathan Pryce playing this Ted Turner-Rupert Murdoch character to create World War III, I think it’s a great hoot and also quite real. He has his own personal agenda. He wants to get rich. He wants to rule his own empire. He’s enamored with power.’

Brosnan also discussed his wish to give a more indepth backstory to Paris Carver, portrayed by Teri Hatcher.

‘I’d asked at the beginning that if we could have a woman that was meaningful to [Bond] and not just someone he picks up in the movie and doesn’t know, but someone from his past. So they took that and it came in the package of Teri Hatcher, who is very good in the movie. She’s the old flame. A woman that he really loved, but she got too close … there’s an emotional chord there that has a resonance throughout the piece. Which is good. If we go again on a [third film], I’d like to see it continue. Just more character.’

There’s much more… Head over to Voices From Krypton for the complete interview, including Brosnan’s idea for different genre Bond films (Horror Bond, Science-fiction Bond, etc.), the possibilities of Martin Scorsese or Quentin Tarantino directing 007 and adapting Casino Royale as a low-budget character study.

Keep turning to the CommanderBond.net main page—as well as our brand new Twitter feed—for all the latest James Bond news and coverage.

'Quantum of Solace' Screening In Franklin, North Carolina

Daniel Craig is James Bond in Quantum of Solace

The latest entry in the cinematic James Bond franchise, 2008’s Quantum of Solace, is set to be screened in Franklin, North Carolina next week.

Daniel Craig’s second 007 film has been chosen as the Wednesday Movies at the Library selection for 10 June at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin, North Carolina.

Quantum of Solace will be screened at both 4:30 and 7:00pm. English subtitles are included and popcorn will be served. Attendees are free to bring their own snacks and non-alcoholic beverages. There is no charge to attend the screenings, however donations are welcome.

The Macon County Public Library is located at 819 Siler Rd., Franklin, North Carolina 28734. For more information, phone the library at 828-524-3600 or visit their official website.

Keep turning to the CBn main page—and our brand new Twitter feed—for continued Quantum of Solace coverage.

'Thunderball' On The Big Screen In New York

Thunderball

James Bond fans in New York can catch Sean Connery’s fourth 007 outing on the big screen later this month.

Thunderball will be screened on Saturday, 13 June at both 2:30 and 7:30pm at the Capitol Theatre Center for the Performing Arts in Rome, New York.

Admission is $3.50 for adults, $1.50 for children, and free for Capitol members. Tickets are available at the door.

The Capitol Theatre is located at 220 W. Dominick Street. For further information, phone the box office at 315-337-6453 or visit the official website.

As always, keep your browsers locked on the CommanderBond.net main page—and our brand new Twitter feed—for all the latest on James Bond-related events happening around the world.

Daniel Craig's 'Defiance' Arrives On Blu-ray/DVD In US

Daniel Craig’s epic World War II drama, Defiance, is released today on Blu-ray and DVD in the US.

Daniel Craig’s Defiance

Based on an extraordinary true story, Defiance is an epic tale of family, honor, vengeance and salvation in World War II. The year is 1941 and the Jews of Eastern Europe are being massacred by the thousands. Managing to escape certain death, three brothers take refuge in the dense surrounding woods they have known since childhood. There they begin their desperate battle against the Nazis. Daniel Craig, Liev Schreiber and Jamie Bell star as brothers who turn a primitive struggle to survive into something far more consequential – a way to avenge the deaths of their loved ones by saving thousands of others.

Special features include:

• Commentary by director Edward Zwick
• Defiance: Return to the Forest (HD)-Explores all aspects of production from the early stages of pre-production to shooting on location in Lithuania. Edward Zwick and his creative team discuss some of the challenges and also the rewards of adapting this well-documented historical event into a feature film.
• Bielski Partisan Survivors (HD)-Photo gallery of images taken by Edward Zwick including behind-the-scenes images and surviving members from the Bielski Otriad.
• Children of the Otriad: The Families Speak (HD)-Descendents of the Bielski family tour the film’s set and relate the story of the real-life partisans along with efforts to preserve the brothers’ legacy.
• Scoring Defiance (HD) Academy Award nominated composer James Newton Howard and violinist Joshua Bell discuss the incredible film score for Defiance. (Blu-ray only)
• Theatrical trailers (HD)

Defiance was already released on Region 2 Blu-ray and DVD on the 18th of last month. All versions are available to order online from their respective Amazon websites:

• Order Defiance from Amazon.co.uk (DVD)
• Order Defiance from Amazon.co.uk (Blu-ray)
• Order Defiance from Amazon.com (DVD)
• Order Defiance from Amazon.com (Blu-ray)

As always, stay tuned to the CommanderBond.net main page for all the latest news from the world of 007. Be sure to check out our Twitter feed as well.

Sir Roger Moore Pushes For Global Action Regarding Crimes Against Children

Sir Roger Moore is pushing for a stronger worldwide response in regards to crimes against children.

Speaking at the publication of a new UNICEF report on the sexual abuse of children in Berlin on 2 June, the former James Bond star stressed the point that those who commit these horrible crimes should be pursued across borders.

The full press release follows:

Sir Roger Moore

Former James Bond star Roger Moore lashed out on Tuesday against the sexual exploitation of children, urging those who abuse minors to be pursued across national borders.

Speaking at the publication of a new UNICEF report on the sexual abuse of children, Moore said: “Childhood is being destroyed by sexual abuse, violence and neglect. We must stop it. If we do nothing, our silence would mean acceptance.”

The 81-year-old British actor, a longtime UNICEF ambassador, added: “I can hardly imagine a more shameful violation of the rights of children as the deliberate exploitation of their bodies by unscrupulous adults to serve their sexual appetite.”

“They destroy the childhood of their victims and do harm to them that lasts throughout their lives.”

He called for better cooperation between police forces, public prosecutors and the business sector.

“Perpetrators must be followed across borders,” he urged.

The UNICEF report quoted data from a 2006 World Health Organization (WHO) document estimating that as many as 150 million girls and 73 million boys under 18 are “every year forced into sex”.

Stay tuned to the CommanderBond.net main page—as well as our brand new Twitter feed—for all the latest James Bond news and coverage.