P. Diddy's James Bond Audition Tape

Despite widespread acclaim for Daniel Craig’s interpretation of James Bond, there are always going to be the hopeful actors and celebrities that want to be the next 007–whether jokingly or for real.

According to Stuff.co.nz, rap star P. Diddy has revealed himself to be one of those hopefuls, expressing his wish to become the first black James Bond in an audition tape of sorts available to view at YouTube.

Reportedly spending more than $750,000 on the video, which he also uses to promote his new I Am King fragrance, P. Diddy says: ‘I would like to also announce that this is my audition tape for the next James Bond. I feel like I am best suited to be the next James Bond.’

‘I’ve been out there getting my hustle on in Hollywood–I just landed a role on CSI: Miami. We have a black president and it’s time for there to be a black Bond.’

Dedicating his new fragrance to Barack Obama, Muhammad Ali, Martin Luther King and ‘all you men out there who take care of [their] families’, P. Diddy adds ‘I’m a real fan of Obama because I like his political ideas. And I think it’s the right moment for a black James Bond. If we can have a black US President, I think we might have reached the moment for a new kind of 007.’

‘I think the role could easily be played by a black actor, because the character created by Ian Fleming in the 50s has undergone a great deal of evolution and continues to be updated.’

An unidentified source added: ‘He has already sent the audition tape to Bond executives.’

As always, stay tuned to the CommanderBond.net main page for all the latest James Bond news and coverage from around the world.

James Bond Tops International Box Office For Fifth Straight Weekend

Another weekend and yet another victory for Daniel Craig’s Quantum of Solace.

For the fifth time in a row, James Bond topped the international box office, pulling in $20.1 million at 8,755 playdates in 73 markets. According to Variety, Quantum of Solace joins Mamma Mia! (which starred former 007 Pierce Brosnan) as the only two films of the year to win five international weekends.

The box office victory for Bond was easy once again, despite a 50% drop due to new competition and only one new debut around the world (a 27 November opening in New Zealand). To date, the 22nd Bond entry has grossed $340.1 million internationally with its worldwide total (US included) standing at $482 million.

Quantum slid 64% to $2.8 million in its second frame in Australia, taking silver medal thanks to the solid $5 million launch of Baz Luhrmann’s aptly-titled Australia.

The film also came in second in the UK, falling 47% in its fifth weekend to $2.4 million, bringing the cumulative total to a strong $75.5 million. The holiday opener Four Christmases came in first with $3.5 million.

In the US, Quantum took fourth place over the weekend, sliding 27% to a estimated $19.5 million. The film’s cumulative total stands at $142 million, bringing it closer and closer to the series’ record of $167 million set by Casino Royale

Other notable numbers for 007 included a $2.3 million take in its fourth German frame for a cumulative total of $35.3 million and $2.1 million in its second Spanish weekend.

Keep your browsers pointed to CommanderBond.net for the most up-to-date and complete Quantum of Solace coverage. Check out our continually updated box office report for all the latest news at how 007 is doing around the world.

Have you seen Quantum of Solace in theatres yet? Post your review and join in the discussion in the Member Reviews section on the CBn Forums.

Sir Sean Connery Sings In Support Of Homecoming Scotland

The original James Bond, Sir Sean Connery has joined with several other Scottish stars in performing a rendition of Caledonia in a new advert especially created to get world-wide support for Homecoming Scotland 2009.

Full details and a viewing link follow in the press release:

Watch Sean Connery Sing for Homecoming Scotland on Homecomingscotland2009.com

Watch Sir Sean Connery and a host of Scottish stars perform a rendition of Caledonia in a new advert especially created to get world-wide support for Homecoming Scotland 2009.

Sean Connery is joined by Lulu, Brian Cox, Sandi Thom, Amy Macdonald and Eddi Reader, as well as sporting stars Sam Torrance and Chris Hoy, plus member of the Scottish rugby team, who add their voices to the campaign.

Launched today (28 November) by First Minister Alex Salmond, the Homecoming Scotland advert is designed to encourage people living in Scotland to invite friends and family from all over the world to “come home” to enjoy more than 200 celebratory events throughout 2009.

Created by VisitScotland and Event Scotland, the advert was shot in various locations around Scotland including Edinburgh, Glasgow, Orkney and Glencoe and depicts Scottish stars each singing a line from Dougie Maclean’s original and moving song Caledonia.

Watch the ad at: www.homecomingscotland2009.com/news/caledonia.html.

Homecoming Scotland 2009 is an inspirational celebration of Scottish culture, heritage and some of the many contributions Scotland has given the World.

First Minister Alex Salmond said: “Caledonia is a song that resonates with Scots the world over. For those far away it is a reminder of strong bonds, full of the promise of return. That is what makes it the perfect anthem for our Year of Homecoming.

“Next year we will be celebrating the 250th anniversary of our national bard, Robert Burns, who himself wrote a song for his native Caledonia. With over 200 events nationwide to mark the occasion this advert will sing to Scots about what we have to celebrate.”

Lulu said: “Scotland lives in my heart no matter where I am. No matter where I travel I always feel at home when I bump into a Scot or meet a lover of Scotland. I hope VisitScotland’s Homecoming Scotland ad will encourage them all to join me in returning to one of the many great events that are part of the Homecoming Scotland 2009 programme…’ Caledonia you’re calling me and now I’m going home!'”

Find more information about Homecoming Scotland news and events at www.homecomingscotland2009.com.

Keep your eye on the CommanderBond.net main page for all the latest James Bond news and coverage.

Olga Kurylenko's 'Quantum' Dress Goes Up For Auction

One of the outfits worn by Olga Kurylenko as Camille in Quantum of Solace went up for auction earlier tonight in Edinburgh.

Olga Kurylenko is Camille

While specific details from the sale are still pending, Scotland on Sunday reports that the dress was expected to fetch up to £4,000 at the sale.

Kurylenko wore the Prada dress towards the latter half of the film. A popular image featured her alongside Daniel Craig’s James Bond while walking in the desert. The actresses Gina shoes were also included in the sale.

The Bond girl dress, donated by producer Barbara Broccoli, was just one of many items included at the charity event held at Edinburgh’s Sheraton Grand Hotel. Proceeds raised will go towards Scottish children’s epilepsy charity Muir Maxwell Trust, which is aiming towards raising £10 million to launch Britain’s first paediatric epilepsy assessment service and care centre.

Freelance stylist Lindsay Campbell said that while a Prada dress and Gina shoes would retail at a total of around £1000 it could fetch up to four times that at auction. She added: ‘Kurylenko has graced the covers of many magazines and this will make the dress a coveted piece. It is timeless and classic.’

Keep turning to CommmanderBond.net for the most complete and up-to-date Quantum of Solace news and information on the web.

'Quantum of Solace' Holds Strong At US Box Office

Daniel Craig isJames Bond

Despite several new releases crowding the playing field this week, James Bond has held strong at the US box office going into its third weekend.

Variety reports that Quantum of Solace took in an estimated $8.2 million this Friday, up 80% from Thanksgiving Day and down just 3% from the same day last week.

That take puts Quantum in fourth place for the start of this weekend, with new release Four Christmases taking first and Twilight and Bolt in second and third, respectively.

To date, the 22nd Bond film, which expanded to 3,501 theatres earlier this week, has taken in over $130 million at the US box office.

Keep your eyes on the CommanderBond.net main page for additional box office reports from this weekend.

Have you seen Quantum of Solace in theatres yet? Post your review and join in the discussion in the Member Reviews section on the CBn Forums.

Limited Time Blu-ray Bond Special At Amazon.com

30 November UPDATE:
Amazon.com has since removed the $15 ‘best value discount’ from this offer. Accordingly, the total price is now $54.94 as opposed to $39.94.

If you’ve been waiting for the prices to drop before purchasing James Bond on Blu-ray, then it’s likely going to be a long time before a deal as good as this one comes along again.

James Bond on Blu-ray

As reported at BigPictureBigSound, all six of the currently available Bond Blu-ray discs (not including the Casino Royale Collector’s Edition) can be purchased at Amazon.com for a total price of $39.94–a considerable discount from the $210 list price of all the discs and even the $108 sale Amazon typically runs.

The discount is being offered as part of Amazon’s Buy More and Save More on Blu-ray sale, which runs through 11:59pm (PT) on 7 December 2008.

At the above Amazon page, select all six of the 007 Blu-ray discs and add them to the shopping cart. Select the “Super Saver Shipping” at check-out, where the $50 promotional discount will be applied as well as a $15 ‘best value discount’.

Do note that specific terms and conditions apply and that this promotion can be discontinued at any time. Visit Amazon.com for full details.

Stay tuned to the CommanderBond.net main page for all the latest 007 collecting news.

"To the real James Bond from the thief of his identity…"

A very important piece of James Bond history is among the 007 collectables to be auctioned off at the 33rd Profiles in History Hollywood Memorabilia auction on December 11: a copy of You Only Live Twice inscribed by Ian Fleming to the ornithologist whose name he used for the character of James Bond – the only book Fleming ever inscribed to the real Bond.

The only 007 book to ever be inscribed to the “real” James Bond is expected to fetch between $60,000 and $80,000 at auction next month

The first edition of Fleming’s 1964 James Bond novel is inscribed by the author as follows…

To the real James Bond from the thief of his identity,

Ian Fleming
Feb. 5 1964
(A great day!)

Fleming gave the book to the real James Bond on the only occassion that the pair met. The book is expected to fetch between $60,000 and $80,000. Profiles in History’s full description follows…

The inscription to the “real” James Bond

Ian Fleming’s You Only Live Twice (Jonathan Cape, 1964). First British edition. Orig. black cloth boards lettered in silver (spine a bit cocked, light offsetting to endpapers), pictorial dust jacket after a design by Richard Chopping (very fine). Inscribed by Fleming on the front free endpaper, “To the real James Bond from the thief of his identity. Ian Fleming, Feb. 5, 1964, (a great day!)”. When writing Casino Royale in the early 50s, Fleming needed a name for his soon-to-be famous fictional secret agent. He looked no further than the coffee table of his home in Jamaica, where he found inspiration in a copy of Birds of the West Indies by American Ornithologist James Bond. It was not until 1964 that the two authors met in person, when Fleming received the real James Bond at the Jamaican home where 007 was born. Fleming gave Bond a prepublication copy of You Only Live Twice as a memento of his visit, signing it as above. It was the only book ever inscribed for the real-life Bond by Fleming, who died several months after the meeting. Includes a copy of How 007 Got His Name (Collins, 1966, 1st ed.) by Mrs. James Bond and a dust jacket for the book Birds of the West Indies by James Bond. You Only Live Twice housed in a custom half morocco clamshell slipcase. The ultimate James Bond association! Fleming acknowledges the source of secret agent 007’s name!

A range of other Ian Fleming books and James Bond items are also to be auctioned. Below is the full list of 007 collectables to go under the hammer.

• Lot #91: From the library of Ian Fleming, Humoresque by Humbert Wolfe – $1,200–$1,500 (details…)
• Lot #92: Noel Coward drawing of Ian Fleming dated 1939 – $8,000–$12,000 (details…)
• Lot #93: Original portrait proof photograph of author Ian Fleming published on the back cover of his first James Bond novel, Casino Royale – $3,000–$5,000 (details…)
• Lot #94: First American edition of Casino Royale inscribed by Ian Fleming – $12,000–$15,000 (details…)
• Lot #95: First British edition of From Russia With Love by Ian Fleming (Ian Fleming’s personal copy with his corrections on five pages) – $18,000–$20,000 (details…)
• Lot #96: First British edition of Goldfinger, inscribed by Ian Fleming – $30,000–$50,000 (details…)
• Lot #97: First British edition of For Your Eyes Only, inscribed by Ian Fleming – $20,000–$30,000 (details…)
• Lot #98: First British edition of Thunderball inscribed by Ian Fleming $25,000–$35,000 – (details…)
• Lot #99: Original poster advertising Ian Fleming’s James Bond novel, Thunderball – $4,000–$6,000 (details…)
• Lot #100: Collection of original photographs of Sean Connery and Ursula Andress from Dr. No – $1,000–$1,500 (details…)
• Lot #101: Rare Ian Fleming handwritten letter with great content regarding Dr. No, as he was writing the book – $8,000–$12,000 (details…)
• Lot #102: First British edition of The Spy Who Loved Me, inscribed by Ian Fleming to Richard Chopping – $40,000–$60,000 (details…)
• Lot #103: First British edition of You Only Live Twice inscribed by Ian Fleming to the real James Bond – $60,000–$80,000 (details…)
• Lot #104: Second draft original handwritten manuscript of You Only Live Twice signed by Roald Dahl – $30,000–$50,000 (details…)
• Lot #105: You Only Live Twice (Mimeographed)film typescript written by Roald Dahl – $3,000–$5,000 (details…)
• Lot #106: Original hand-drawn Ken Adams set design from You Only Live Twice (Asian Spa) – $2,000–$3,000 (details…)
• Lot #107: Original hand-drawn Ken Adams set design from You Only Live Twice (Asian Bedroom) – $2,000–$3,000 (details…)
• Lot #110: James Bond Moonraker original second advance one-sheet poster artwork – $15,000–$18,000 (details…)
• Lot #111: James Bond A View To A Kill original first advance one-sheet poster artwork – $12,000–$15,000 (details…)
• Lot #112: Pierce Brosnan’s rubber stunt pistol from Tomorrow Never Dies – $6,000–$8,000 (details…)

The auction will take place at 11:00 am PST at Profiles in History, 26901 Agoura Rd Ste 150, Calabasas Hills, CA 91301. Full details can be found at the Profiles In History website.

Keep watching CommanderBond.net for the most up-to-date James Bond news on the web.

Six New Blu-ray James Bond Titles Announced For March '09

The second wave of James Bond on Blu-ray titles has been announced, due for release in March 2009.

The six new titles include: Goldfinger, Diamonds are Forever, The Spy Who Loved Me, Licence To Kill, GoldenEye and The World is not Enough.

This second wave of Blu-ray Bond discs are slated for a Region 4 release on Wednesday, 18 March 2009 and can currently be pre-ordered at EzyDVD.

While there are currently no listings at Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk, it is a likely bet that the Region 1 and 2 releases of these 007 discs will be around the same March date, when Quantum of Solace will also be hitting Blu-ray/DVD.

The first wave of titles–Dr. No, From Russia With Love, Thunderball, Live and Let Die, For Your Eyes Only and Die Another Day–were released this past October and can be ordered online:

James Bond On Blu-ray (UK)

James Bond On Blu-ray (US)

Stay tuned to the CommanderBond.net main page for all the latest 007 collecting news.

'Quantum of Solace' Tokyo Premiere

Quantum of Solace

After making stops in the United Kingdom, France, Norway, Germany, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Italy, Spain and Australia, the final premiere for Quantum of Solace took place earlier this week in Tokyo, Japan.

Held at the city’s Toho Cinemas on Monday, 24 November, this red carpet James Bond event featured actors Daniel Craig and Olga Kurylenko along with director Marc Forster in attendance.

While fans were lined up to meet and greet the Quantum stars, most will have to wait a few more weeks to see the film as it doesn’t go on general release until 24 January 2009.

Quantum of Solace – Tokyo Premiere Photographs
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9
10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 |

Visit Getty Images for an additional 80+ photographs from the Tokyo Quantum of Solace premiere.

Stay tuned to CommanderBond.net for all the latest Quantum of Solace news and information.

Win Sir Roger Moore's 'My Word Is My Bond' Audiobooks

CommanderBond.net has teamed up with BBC Audio to give away audiobook copies of Sir Roger Moore’s brand new autobiography, My Word Is My Bond–read by Sir Roger himself!

My Word is My Bond sees Sir Roger sharing his recollections of playing some of the world’s most famous roles alongside a host of legendary stars. With myriad stories from his personal life–from his childhood in London and experiences during the Second World War, to the happy and turbulent times in his later life. Along with anecdotes about his encounters with the stars and his wonderful memories from the heyday of Hollywood, My Word is My Bond is as frank, funny and disarmingly charming as the legend himself.

This competition is open to all members of CommanderBond.net (CBn). You must be a registered member of the CBn Forums and answer the following question correctly to be eligible to win. Not yet a member of CBn? Register here now–it is free and only takes a minute!

How To Enter:

To enter, fill out the following questionnaire and send a Communiqué/Private Message on the CBn Forums to ‘CBn Competition’ (Subject: CBn Roger Moore Audio) by Midnight EST on 19 December 2008 (simply click on the link in this paragraph).

1. In the past, which of his seven James Bond films has Sir Roger Moore singled out as his favourite?:

1. The Man with the Golden Gun
2. The Spy Who Loved Me
3. Moonraker
4. For Your Eyes Only

2. What is your CBn Forum Screen Name?
3. What country/state do you live in?