Pierce Brosnan Talks 'Tomorrow Never Dies'

Voices From Krypton dove into the archives this past weekend and posted an audio interview James Bond fans will definitely want to give a listen to.

Pierce Brosnan

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

In part one of this interview, Brosnan discussed how his life had been transformed following the worldwide success of GoldenEye two years ago as well as the state of his recent and upcoming non-Bond projects, such as Dante’s Peak and Grey Owl.

‘Life is full and rich in possibilities,’ he said. ‘Having been an actor for 20-odd years, you adore it. You absolutely relish it and everything seems to be doable. It’s great to see GoldenEye be a great success and have a whole new generation grow up with this character.’

Tomorrow Never Dies

‘It’s got pace, it’s got energy, it’s got wall-to-wall action. And enough character and romance to carry it through. Plus the baddie (Jonathan Pryce), so it’s all those things.’ –Pierce Brosnan

Brosnan then goes on to speak about Tomorrow Never Dies and it’s frenzied production schedule that was often the focus of the media throughout 1997. Dismissing reports regarding infighting on the set, he did acknowledge that it was not without some difficulties, such as the schedule moving around on a near constant basis.

He also discussed the production moving forward without an actual completed script (since the studio wanted a follow-up to GoldenEye as quickly as possible), working alongside director Roger Spottiswoode as well as the forthcoming competition with James Cameron’s Titanic ‘You just throw the dice and you don’t know what is going to happen,’ he states. ‘A lot is riding on [this film].’

‘There’s more of a reality base to [Tomorrow Never Dies]. You still have the women, you still have the gadgets, the big stunts, the big action pieces, but it has more of a gritty look to it. And more reality, which I like, because I think they had gotten too comic-book. You know, GoldenEye had a great look to it and I think [Tomorrow Never Dies is snappier and more gritty.’

Definitely head over to Voices From Krypton to listen to the interview in full.

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Daniel Craig's James Bond Is Licenced To Chill

That famous Casino Royale scene of a sculpted Daniel Craig emerging from the water has now been immortalised—as an ice cream lolly.

Read on for the full press release regarding one of the more unique James Bond tie-in products…

Daniel Craig: Licenced To Chill

Many women would admit wanting to put their lips to 007 Daniel Craig’s sculpted torso, and this summer they will be able to as lollies of the James Bond star have been created.

An ice cream company created the purple “licence to chill” smoothie after asking more than 1,000 women which male celebrity like to see on the end of a stick.

Del Monte Superfruit Smoothies, who produced the limited edition replica lollies, said artists “worked tirelessly” to recreate a sculpture of 41-year-old Craig in the scene where he emerges from the sea in Casino Royale.

“Daniel Craig topped our poll of Britain’s coolest celebrities and thanks to our Del Monte lolly replica he is officially immortalised as super smooth and licensed to chill,” said spokesman Matt O’Connor.

The Daniel Craig smoothie lollies are blueberry, pomegranate and cranberry flavoured and under 100 calories each.

They are to be distributed during the first National Ice Cream Week which starts today and ends on June 7.

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Daniel Craig's 'Tintin' Set For December 2011 Release

Daniel Craig

A release date has been set for Daniel Craig’s The Adventures of Tintin: 23 December 2011.

The 3D motion capture film, which is directed by Steven Spielberg, also stars Jamie Bell in the title role, Andy Serkis, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost and various other international stars. Craig stars as the nefarious Red Rackham and squares off against Bell’s intrepid young reporter.

Reuters reports that Sony Pictures Releasing International will be overseeing the film’s release in continental Europe, Latin America and India, while Paramount Pictures will handle distribution in the US, Asia, Australia, the United Kingdom and all other English-speaking territories.

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.

Daniel Craig And Hugh Jackman Broadway Bound For 'A Steady Rain'

Daniel Craig and Hugh Jackman are teaming up for a new Broadway play later this year.

Daniel Craig

Playbill reports that Craig and Jackman will co-star in Keith Huff’s A Steady Rain.

An official announcement regarding the production has yet to be made, but it is expected to be a top draw during the fall season. James Bond producer Barbara Broccoli will also take up producing duties here as well.

A Steady Rain tells of two seasoned cops whose lifelong friendship is severely tested when a seemingly routine domestic disturbance call results in the death of a young boy. When the horrific truth of the situation is revealed, one of the two must take the blame for the fatal mistake.

The play will mark the Broadway debut for Craig after starring in numerous films, the most recent of which included Quantum of Solace and Defiance.

On the other hand, Jackman is a seasoned stage performer, whose credits include Trevor Nunn’s Oklahoma! at Britian’s National Theatre and award-winning work in productions of Sunset Boulevard and Beauty and the Beast. He has also earned a Tony Award for his work in the musical The Boy From Oz.

A Steady Rain played a six-week sold-out engagement at Chicago Dramatists in fall 2007. The cast and artistic team, headed by director Russ Tutterow, remained intact for the 2008 run at Chicago’s Royal George Theater.

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Work On 'Bond 23' Begins

Producer Michael G. Wilson broke the news today that work has begun on Bond 23.

Michael G. Wilson

In a very brief interview with The Sun during the Ivor Novello Awards at the Grosvenor House hotel in London last night, the longtime James Bond producer said: ‘We have started work on the new film, which I can’t say anything about. Daniel Craig is very keen to get going.’

While that was all he would reveal about the latest Bond production, Wilson went on to speak about future contenders for 007 themes after Welsh singing sensation Duffy won the PRS Most Performed Work award at the event.

‘I would love to get Duffy to sing the next tune,’ he said. ‘I think she is wonderful. Amy Winehouse would be good too.’

CommanderBond.net readers will recall (here and here) that both singers were contenders for the Quantum of Solace title theme.

With this news that things are finally beginning to get going on Bond 23, it’s safe to assume that further details, reports and all of those fun rumours will soon follow in the future. Keep turning to the CBn main page—and our brand new Twitter feed—for the most up-to-date Bond coverage on the net.

David Arnold's 'Quantum' Score Misses Out On Ivor Novello Award

One month ago exactly, CommanderBond.net reported that composer David Arnold’s score for Quantum of Solace had been nominated for an Ivor Novello Award.

Today, the winners were announced at the ceremony at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel and James Bond unfortunately didn’t come out on top. The Quantum score lost to Jonny Greenwood’s effort for There Will Be Blood in the Best Original Film Score category.

Quantum of Solace Soundtrack

In related news, longtime Bond lyricist Don Black was honoured with this year’s Academy Fellowship award. Working alongside both Arnold and John Barry, Black’s song credits within the 007 series include: Thunderball, Diamonds Are Forever, The Man With The Golden Gun, Surrender, The World Is Not Enough and Only Myself To Blame.

For the complete list of winners at the 54th Ivor Novello Awards, visit the official website.

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60-Second Interview With Sir Roger Moore

Sir Roger Moore sat down with Metro for a 60-second interview to discuss his work with UNICEF, his life with James Bond and more.

Roger Moore is James Bond

At 81 years old, Sir Roger is the oldest of the actors who have portrayed 007 on the big screen. When asked about this, he replied: ‘I try not to think about it too much, otherwise it may stop me doing what I want to do. I’ll stop stretching to reach things or I won’t run down the stairs because I may trip.’

‘[I don’t like] my appetite and my waistline. I can’t do as much exercise as I used to and I still like to eat so I have to go through periodic days of not eating too much. It’s a huge bore.’

Metro: You were once quoted as saying: ‘I enjoy being a highly overpaid actor.’
Sir Roger: Of course I do, I would be a bloody fool if I didn’t.

When asked about his tireless work with UNICEF throughout the world, Sir Roger mentioned that it taught him that ‘many people have absolutely nothing and they have no hope. I remember my first field trip in the early 1990s; we were on our way back from Central America and we had a three-hour wait at Dallas Airport. Unicef had arranged a press conference so I could speak about what I had seen in Guatemala. A man in the audience spoke up and said [puts on Texan twang]: “Mr Moore, you talk about the poor, well, we have got poor in our country right here.” And I said to him: “Quite frankly, you can kiss my ass. The poorest man in America is a multimillionaire compared to a poor man in the developing world.”‘

Metro: Could your Bond beat [Daniel Craig’s] Bond in a fight?
Sir Roger: Good God, no. I am even cowardly in real life.

To be expected, the topic of James Bond came up once or twice and Sir Roger only had praise for Daniel Craig, the current 00. ‘He is a terrific actor and a terrific Bond,’ he said. ‘I couldn’t believe the amount of grief he was getting before he even took the role. He’s a bloody good actor and a good-looking guy. He’s pretty tough.’

As for what annoys him about Bond, Sir Roger said: ‘He’s not the most believable spy, is he? I still struggle to understand how James Bond can be a spy when he is recognised by everyone everywhere in the world. I mean, everybody knows he wants a Martini shaken not stirred. And that invisible car Pierce Brosnan had was a bit far-fetched.’

His favourite Bond girl?

‘I have her now.’

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

Pierce Brosnan Makes A Trip To The White House

Pierce Brosnan had his first tour inside the White House earlier today – reports Politico 44.

Pierce Brosnan

The former James Bond star was there to meet with President Barack Obama’s staff to discuss the preservation of whales.

‘I’ve always viewed it from afar so to be in the hallowed halls was … truly an honor,’ Brosnan said outside to the growing press after the meeting came to a close.

Brosnan believes he had many sympathetic ears in the administration on the issue he and his wife took up 16 years ago. He went on to suggest that the White House could open up a communication line between Norway, Japan and Iceland to further combat the issue.

‘The administration and the president is very sensitive and forward thinking to the cause. Most people think [the whales] been saved but they haven’t. The slaughter still goes on.’

‘This is a golden opportunity,’ he added.

Click here for a brief video interview regarding the issue with Pierce Brosnan.

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

Timothy Dalton Has A Licence To Exterminate

Timothy Dalton

Timothy Dalton has a licence to exterminate—reports The Sun.

The former James Bond star has signed up for a role as a villain in one of David Tennant’s final episodes of Doctor Who.

Details are currently being kept to a minimum, but it’s been reported that Dalton has already flown in from his home in Los Angeles for filming. An insider said: ‘Timothy Dalton is a big coup for Doctor Who because he’s pretty iconic.’

‘He’s in the UK right now and is shooting scenes over the next few weeks. It’s a good gig for him as it will be one of the most memorable episodes yet.’

Dalton’s role will be in one the last three specials featuring Tennant in the title role. The BBC1 has yet to announce when exactly these episodes will air, but they are expected sometime around Christmas.

The 007 actor was most recently seen as a villain when he portrayed the decidedly sketchy Simon Skinner in 2007’s Hot Fuzz.

Keep your browsers locked on the CBn main page—and our brand new Twitter feed—for all the latest news on James Bond-related events occurring around the world.

'Quantum of Solace' Is #2 Overall For Europe Admissions In 2008

James Bond and ABBA led the pack for film admissions throughout Europe in 2008.

Daniel Craig is James Bond in Quantum of Solace

Variety reports that cinema attendance in Europe held steady last year, according to figures released Monday by the European Audiovisual Observatory.

Admissions rose 0.5% compared to 2007, totaling 924 million across the 27 states of the European Union.

In second place overall was Quantum of Solace with 27.5 million admissions. Mamma Mia! took the top spot with 33.7 million admissions.

As earlier reported on CommanderBond.net, Daniel Craig’s second 007 adventure was Germany’s top box office earner in 2008 and also contributed to a record year in the UK.

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