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.

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.

James Bond Centenary Reprints Arrive In Paperback

The Spy Who Loved Me cover

As many CommanderBond.net readers will no doubt recall, all 14 of the original James Bond books were reprinted last May to mark the centenary of Ian Fleming.

Published in hardback under the Penguin 007 imprint with striking new cover designs by artist Michael Gillette, these editions were quickly coveted by fans and went out of print after just a few months.

We have now discovered new paperback editions published this year that also feature the cover artwork. However, only a select few titles are listed on Amazon.co.uk: all titles listed below are marked as being published on 23 April 2009, with the exception of You Only Live Twice, which (oddly) has a 2 July release date.

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

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.

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.

Sir Roger Moore Reflects On His James Bond Days

A conversation with Sir Roger Moore this past Thursday brought the Albert R. Broccoli centenary season to a close on a high note.

As earlier reported on CommanderBond.net, Sir Roger was scehduled to appear on the BFI Southbank stage to discuss his days as 007 as well as working with the longtime producer of the James Bond series.

Roger Moore is James Bond

Reuters carries a report from the event and features some select quotes from the interview between the former Bond star and Little Britain‘s David Walliams.

‘Where else is a potential Bond going to meet the producers, except over a gaming table?’ said Moore in regards to his 1962 introduction to 007 producers Broccoli and Harry Saltzman in a London gaming club, the White Elephant.

He added that he wasn’t swept up in the Bond fever until later in his life. ‘I knew nothing really about Bond,’ he stated.

I came back to England and started making the Saint series, there was a competition in the Daily Express over who should play James Bond—I really had no idea who James Bond was. Then I started reading some of the books.’

He also mentioned that if given a choice to star in one of Sean Connery’s Bond films, he would have chosen 1971’s Diamonds are Forever (the sole Connery film that fans often say fits in well with the somewhat lighthearted Moore entries).

‘Looking at Sean, I realize how damn good he was,’ he said. ‘I can’t believe I had the ego, when I took over, to think I could replace him. I couldn’t be the tough Bond that Sean was.’

‘Sean felt he was getting a bit long in the tooth for the [Bond] role. I was actually older than Sean when I started. But I did look younger.’

Wrapping the interview up, Sir Roger did mention (with tongue planted firmly in cheek) that he was looking to return to acting on the small screen—specifically, a role on Little Britain.

‘Only if you drag up,’ Walliams replied.

For further details on the numerous James Bond-themed events that took place at the BFI, check out this CBn article.

Pinewood Plans For Major Expansion

The home of James Bond is planning a major expansion in order to rival Hollywood for the latest blockbuster films.

Pinewood’s 007 Stage

The Times reports that Pinewood Studios in London will lay out plans this upcoming Monday for a 100-acre, £200 million expansion.

New features will include permanent film lots—such as a row of New York brownstone apartments, a Parisian square and a Venice canal, reducing the amount of international travel filmmakers would have to make in order to film at such locations.

In addition to the new film lots, Pinewood is also planning to incorporate up to 1,400 new flats, so people working on films can live on set. They forecast that this could create as many as 1,600 jobs.

The expansion, termed Project Pinewood, is also working with the National Film and Television School to set up an on-site academy that would train set designers and costume makers.

‘Film-makers have the pick of going anywhere in the world,’ said Ivan Dunleavy, chief executive of Pinewood Shepperton. ‘It is a very desirable industry from a profile point of view and from an economic point of view. We need to keep Britain ahead in terms of its creative skills and creative infrastructure.’

Pinewood intends to take on a development partner for the project and would need to issue new debt or equity to finance it. It has a joint venture with Aviva Investors to develop the Shepperton Studios.

As many Bond fans are aware, filming at Pinewood Studios (including the famed 007 Stage) has taken place for the majority of the films in the Bond series. The most recent was last year’s Quantum of Solace.

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.

Empire Readers Vote 'GoldenEye' Tenth Greatest Video Game Ever

Empire Magazine has published their much-hyped list of the 100 greatest video games of all time, and, deservingly, the James Bond first-person-shooter that set an unmatchable benchmark 12 years ago ranks highly.

The British magazine’s viewers voted GoldenEye, which originally appeared on the Nintendo 64, as the tenth greatest game ever.

Empire describes GoldenEye as a “genuine classic that introduced stealth, sniping and scintillating style to the familiar Doom template … [it] now stands as one of the most influential console blasters of all time, and a fan favourite for its delirious multiplayer mode where Jaws, Baron Samedi, Oddjob and a wealth of other Bond villains battled it out in a variety of exotic locations.”

The magazine highlights GoldenEye‘s superb representation of 007 style, citing the game’s Frigate level as a prime example: “After blasting his way off a frigate packed with grenade-tossing enemy soldiers, Bond hurls himself into a waiting lifeboat – and casually checks his cufflinks before sailing to safety. Could they have captured the character’s essence any more perfectly?”

Only two Nintendo 64 games ranked higher: Super Mario 64 and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, both of which also redefined their respective genres.

Earlier this month, GoldenEye was rated the number one film-to-game adaptation by British newspaper, The Independent, while voters of last year’s GAME.co.uk survey ranked the game as the sixth greatest ever.

Keep watching the CommanderBond.net main page – and our new Twitter feed – for all the latest James Bond news.

Sebastian Faulks 'Devil May Care' Paperback Signing At Selfridges

The excellent 007 blog The Book Bond highlights two exciting events to mark the publication of Sebastian Faulks’ Devil May Care in paperback.

First, the author of last year’s bestselling centenary novel will be signing copies of the new paperback at London’s Selfridges on 4 June between 5:00 pm and 6:00 pm.

This is the only signing we’re aware of, so be sure to hop along!

Meanwhile, Borders in the UK is offering James Bond fans the chance to test drive the stunning Bentley Continental GTC. Simply head over to the Borders website to enter.

Keep turning to the CommanderBond.net main page—and our brand new Twitter feed—for complete coverage of Devil May Care and all the latest literary James Bond news.

'The History Of 30 Assault Unit: Ian Fleming's Red Indians' Cover Artwork

Cover artwork has been revealed for the recently announced book by Craig Cabell, The History of 30 Assault Unit: Ian Fleming’s Red Indians.

The History of 30 Assault Unit: Ian Fleming’s Red Indians

As earlier reported by CommanderBond.net, this latest book by Cabell is expected to take an indepth look at James Bond creator Ian Fleming and his role with the 30AU (30 Assault Unit)—a unit he set up during World War II in 1942.

The book follows the release of last year’s Ian Fleming’s Secret War (also by Cabell), which focused on the activities of Fleming and his role with the 30AU—a unit he set up during World War II in 1942, while he served as the personal assistant to the director of naval intelligence. It’s goal was to undertake top secret intelligence-gathering missions, going in before Allied troops to make sure vital information was not destroyed.

Cabell has said that the unit ultimately served as inspiration for the creation of the 007 character.

The History of 30 Assault Unit: Ian Fleming’s Red Indians will be published in hardback by Pen & Sword Military. Retailing for £19.99, it can currently be pre-ordered online:

• Order The History of 30 Assault Unit: Ian Fleming’s Red Indians from Amazon.co.uk

For up-to-the-minute literary James Bond coverage, always turn your browsers to the CommanderBond.net main page. Be sure to check out our new Twitter feed as well.

James Bond 007 Is Back In Titan's 'Nightbird'

The illustrated James Bond is set to return once again.

Now scheduled for release in March 2010 is Titan’s Nightbird collection. As CommanderBond.net readers will recall, we exclusively revealed earlier this year that this comic strip collection would be out in 2010—the title was pushed back from its original 2007 release.

The Nightbird collection brings together Hot-Shot and Ape of Diamonds in addition to the title story and following publication, will mark the complete publication of all 52 James Bond comic strips listed in the Titan checklist.

As a reminder, this upcoming July sees the release of Titan’s The Girl Machine. James Bond: Omnibus Volume 1: The Graphic Novel Collection, which collects together 11 previously released Bond comic strips, follows in September.

The Nightbird collection can currently be pre-ordered from Amazon.com. Order links follow below.

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

Is James Bond Keeping MGM Out Of Bankrupty Court?

Following up a report from earlier this month which stated that MGM Studios was seeking a refinancing-source for roughly $3.7 billion in debts, it now appears that it may be James Bond that is one of the key reasons the company is determined to stay out of bankruptcy court.

The Double O Section blog cites an article from the Hollywood Reporter, which makes the claim that the lucrative 007 franchise is reason enough to avoid filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

The reason? If forced into Chapter 11 reorganization, MGM’s long-standing hold on the Bond franchise could come into play in court. To avoid that, MGM’s owners might consider giving up a sizable portion of their equity holdings.

MGM is owned by a consortium including Sony, Comcast, TPG Capital and Providence Equity. While there are no suggestions that talks between the studio and its creditors have yielded a specific game plan, some sort of voluntary restructuring could emerge in the absence of any obvious white-knight investor.

One scenario the Hollywood Reporter brings up:

A creditors-led restructuring in which the lenders are allowed to swap a sizable portion of MGM debt for studio equity. Current debtholders include Elliott Associates, a New York-based hedge fund closely tied to Hollywood producer Ryan Kavanaugh that’s been buying up hundreds of millions in distressed MGM debt.

None of this is to say that Kavanaugh’s Relativity Media would come away with rights to Bond — or even The Pink Panther or other core MGM film assets. But if Elliott and Kavanaugh or any other major debtholders are able to convert their holdings into equity, it could provide leverage to secure film-development rights of various lesser properties.

…which would in turn keep MGM (and thus, James Bond) away from the bankruptcy courts.

Time will tell to see how it all plays out.

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.