Sir Sean Connery: The Spy We Love

With 2008 marking the centenary of 007 creator Ian Fleming with a brand new novel, Devil May Care, as well as the return of the cinematic James Bond in Quantum of Solace, the United Airlines’ inflight Hemispheres magazine has decided to do a little celebrating of their own…

THE SPY WE LOVE
HEMISPHERES Magazines Focuses on Bond, James Bond

With the upcoming May centenary of James Bond creator Ian Fleming’s birth, a new Bond book also out that month (Devil May Care by Sebastian Faulks) and a new movie set to release this fall, the April 2008 issue of United Airlines’ inflight HEMISPHERES zeroes in on the world’s most famous spy.

A rare magazine interview with Sean Connery breaks new ground with comments on the most recent Bond film and the modern Bond brand. An in-depth feature by world-renowned James Bond expert John Cork explores how the 007 phenomena permeates our culture. (Connery is quoted as saying the feature is “a very fine article, by the way.”)

Several other pieces–including a Bond-themed crossword puzzle–will have Bond fans wanting more. Luckily, HEMISPHERES’ Web site provides it. A “007 Dossier” of exciting Bond-themed content fills a special HEMISPHERES Web site this month (hemispheresmagazine.com). The “classified” Web folder is stuffed full of multimedia features and links, including a behind-the-scenes look at the upcoming Bond film; a look at Daniel Craig, the latest Bond actor (whom Connery comments on in his interview); and links to 007 travel destinations that have been featured in the magazine’s signature series, Three Perfect Days. There’s also a profile of one HEMISPHERES cover artist who portrayed a villain in a Bond film.

“This is the topical type of editorial package we love to bring our readers,” says Randy Johnson, HEMISPHERES editor. “It has it all–news value, cinematic and literary relevance, pop culture, travel, and more. Even if you don’t fly United this month, I urge Bond fans to log on and be amazed at the impact this character has had.”

Visit the official Hemispheres website.

Keep watching CommanderBond.net for all the latest James Bond 007 coverage.

Ford Ka To Make An Appearance In 'Quantum of Solace'

While 007 fans have known for quite some time that the Aston Martin DBS will be back once again for Quantum of Solace, details have now emerged on a somewhat less ‘bondian’ car that will be making an appearance as well.

Ecorazzi reports that James Bond will be seen driving an entry-level three-door hatchback Ford Ka.

‘When the Ka arrived on set everyone thought it was a wind-up,’ a source from the Bond set told the News Of The World. ‘Bond is famous for his high-powered flash motors. It’s part of the man’s make-up, but this isn’t sexy. Daniel knew he was getting a ribbing from the crew. The good news is that James will be back in an Aston later in this film.’

Ford reportedly paid $35 million (roughly £17.7 million) for the appearance.

Several fans on the CommanderBond.net Forums have also pointed out that this is likely the car that be briefly seen in the second official ‘Quantum of Solace’ newswrap video.

Stay tuned to the CBn main page for the most up-to-date and complete coverage of Quantum of Solace.

More 'Quantum' Photos Of Daniel Craig And Olga Kurylenko

Daniel Craig is James Bond in Quantum of Solace

A few more behind-the-scenes photographs from the Quantum of Solace production in Panama have made their way online.

The main collection of photos (some have already been posted previously) can be viewed at the Seven on the Seas blog.

They feature Daniel Craig as James Bond and Olga Kurylenko (Camille) as they are pursued by henchmen ‘Harris’ and ‘Frosty’ off the shores of Colön, a coastal Caribbean Sea port city.

A second photo again features Craig and Kurylenko, this time walking together: click here to view.

Stay tuned to the CBn main page for the most up-to-date and complete coverage of Quantum of Solace.

Virtual Exhibition: 'For Your Eyes Only: Ian Fleming and James Bond'

CommanderBond.net reported last year that one of the many events planned as part of the Ian Fleming centenary celebrations is the ‘For Your Eyes Only: Ian Fleming and James Bond’ exhibition.

Set to run from 25 April 2008 through 1 March 2009 at the Imperial War Museum in London, this 007 exhibition will bring together both personal effects of the author and an ‘unparalleled range of Bond memorabilia’ in order to discover where the identity of the debonair spymaster and journalist ended and the fictional secret agent began.

Today, The Times started offering readers an interactive sneak peek at the Fleming exhibit.

This brand new preview also features an audio commentary by Ben Macintyre, who is the author of the accompanying book of the same title, due for release in the UK on 7 April.

In addition, The Times has reserved a limited amount of tickets to the ‘For Your Eyes Only: Ian Fleming and James Bond’ exhibition exclusively for their readers. For further details, click here.

Click here to watch the virtual exhibition.

• Order the UK hardback edition of For Your Eyes Only: Ian Fleming and James Bond from Amazon.co.uk
• Order the US hardback edition of For Your Eyes Only: Ian Fleming and James Bond from Amazon.com

Stay tuned to CBn for all the latest details and coverage on all the Ian Fleming centenary events and James Bond-related releases.

First Three James Bond Films Included In United Artists Film Festival

From Russia with Love

Sean Connery’s first three James Bond films will be hitting the big screen as part of the 90th anniversary celebrations of the United Artists studio.

Taking place at New York’s Film Forum, the leading movie house for independent premieres and repertory programming, the screening of United Artists films are scheduled from 28 March through 1 May. The famous titles include The Great Escape, Manhattan, The Good, The Bad and The Ugly and endless others.

Connery’s second 007 adventure, From Russia with Love, will be screened on Friday, 4 April at 1:00, 5:10 and 9:20pm.

Screenings of Goldfinger and Dr. No will follow on Saturday, 5 April at 1:00, 5:15, 9:30pm and 3:10, 7:25pm, respectively.

Film Forum is located at 209 W Houston Street, between 6th & 7th Avenue, in New York City, New York.

For ticket information or further details, phone the box office at 212-727-8110 or visit the official website.

Keep watching CommanderBond.net for all the latest James Bond news.

'Quantum of Solace' Mobile Game Coming From Sony

A Quantum of Solace mobile game was announced today by Sony Pictures Television, due to be released along with several other titles based on the studio’s films and television shows from June through November of this year…

Sony Pictures Television Announces Mobile Game Slate
Six New Titles To Be Released in 2008

Sony Pictures Television (SPT) announced a slate of six new mobile games to be released in 2008 today at the CTIA convention in Las Vegas. The games, based on some of the studio’s feature films and television shows, and PSP(R) (PlayStation(R)Portable) system games, are scheduled to come out from June through November of this year. Other titles, not yet announced, may also join the line up.

“We are extremely proud of this slate and thrilled to offer our mobile partners more of the high-quality games they’ve come to expect from us and that consumers love to play,” said Eric Berger, senior vice president, mobile, SPT.

The titles released today are:

Hancock: The Mobile Game, based on the feature film starring Will Smith, Jason Bateman, and Charlize Theron to be released July 2, is a “one button” game designed for a broad casual audience. Hancock soars through Los Angeles in pursuit of criminals, saving people in danger, while keeping damage to a minimum. Players use Hancock’s superhuman strength to set the situation right.

Afterworld Global Contact is the first mobile game to be developed from a multi-platform series with an established community. An adventure game where players travel the world in search of their families, confront challenges and try to reestablish global communications, Afterworld Global Contact includes an online component that rewards players with exclusive web content.

Rock & Roll Jeopardy! is a musical sequel to the mobile game Jeopardy! Deluxe, based on the hugely popular syndicated game show. This rock n’ roll version features specialized content, thematic artwork and gameplay enhancement, where players compete against two AI players for virtual cash.

Wheel of Fortune Road Trip is an extension of the Wheel of Fortune Deluxe video game, based on American’s favorite game show. Incorporating new features and a sense of adventure, each game will be themed to a city as players complete their journeys.

Quantum of Solace, released to coincide with the film of the same name, brings back Her Majesty’s Secret Service agent James Bond in an exciting 2D action game for mobile phones. Capturing the essence of Agent 007’s style, players of Quantum of Solace chase down enemy agents, engage in intense firefights and escape dangerous situations that only Bond could survive.

LocoRoco(TM) is back in an authentic mobile adaptation of the incredibly successful PSP(R) system videogame. Tilt and jump LocoRoco past obstacles, find LocoRoco’s friends the MuiMuis and grow LocoRoco to find hidden areas in levels.

Sony Pictures Television has been ranked in the top ten of mobile game distributors by Telephia/Nielson. Its titles range from games based on the studio’s films and television shows, to PlayStation(R) branded properties and original games for mobile devices, and distributes them among all the major service providers.

Sony Pictures Television is one of the television industry’s leading content providers. It produces and distributes programming in every genre, including series, telefilms, theatrical releases and family entertainment for network and cable television, as well as first-run and off-network series for syndication. With more than 25 programs on the air, SPT boasts a program slate that includes the top-rated daytime dramas and game shows, landmark off-network series, original animated series and critically acclaimed primetime dramas, comedies and telefilms. SPT also owns one-half of cable channel GSN and is a partner in FEARnet, the premier horror/thriller website and VOD service. Sony Pictures Television oversees all of Sony Pictures Entertainment’s (SPE) domestic digital distribution efforts across all electronically delivered platforms, including the internet and mobile. Sony Pictures Television, advertiser sales, is one of the premiere national advertising sales companies, handling the commercial inventory in SPT syndicated series as well as in all of SPE’s digital businesses in the United States, for Sony BMG and for iN DEMAND’s high-definition channel Mojo and the Tennis Channel, and is part owner of national media sales company ITN Networks, Inc. SPT (http://www.sonypicturestelevision.com) is a Sony Pictures Entertainment company.

Stay tuned to the CBn main page for the most up-to-date and complete coverage of Quantum of Solace.

Penguin 007 Site Gets A Facelift

Just days after IanFlemingCentenary.com was revamped, Penguin 007 has been overhauled as well.

The flash new site provides a one-stop guide to everything Penguin is doing to celebrate the centenary of James Bond author, Ian Fleming’s birth.

As well as biographies of Fleming and Sebastian Faulks (author of 2008’s highly-anticipated Bond novel, Devil May Care), the site features a guide to the different editions of Ian Fleming’s 14 Bond books that will be available in 2008: the Centenary Edition hardbacks, the Modern Classics and the Penguin Paperbacks series.

The Penguin 007 imprint will be launched in May with the publication of Devil May Care.

Check out Penguin 007 for more.

Stay tuned to CommanderBond.net for all the latest details and coverage of the Ian Fleming centenary events.

'Casino Royale' To Premiere On Showtime, 5 April

Daniel Craig’s first James Bond adventure, 2006’s Casino Royale, will make it’s debut appearance on premium US cable TV station Showtime in April.

The 007 film will first air on Saturday, 5 April at 9:00pm ET/PT. Replays will follow on various Showtime channels throughout the month. Click here for a full schedule.

As reported by CommanderBond.net back in December 2006, the USA Network won the non-premium cable TV rights for Casino Royale after a heated bidding war which included Spike TV, TNT and FX as well. That broadcast is expected to debut in June 2009.

Stay tuned to the CBn main page for all the latest James Bond news.

Daniel Craig Is GQ's Best Dressed Man… Again

Daniel Craig was named GQ Magazine‘s Best Dressed Man for the second consecutive year.

According to a Reuters report, the James Bond star topped the list, beating out fellow top ten candidates that include Daniel Day Lewis, Tom Ford, James McAvoy and Jude Law.

Craig received the same honour last year, with the magazine stating at the time that Craig’s suit in Casino Royale worked so well becaus it seemed ‘like an upgrade’ of the clothes he would naturally wear.

‘No Bond since Sean Connery has worn it better,’ they added.

Click here for the full listing of top 50 best-dressed and top 20 worst-dressed men for 2008.

Keep watching CommanderBond.net for all the latest James Bond 007 coverage.

Samantha Weinberg Interview In Upcoming Starlog Magazine

The Moneypenny Diaries: Guardian Angel

CommanderBond.net Forum member ‘operator 5’ alerts us that the forthcoming issue of Starlog magazine (#366) will contain an interview with Samantha Weinberg, author of The Moneypenny Diaries trilogy.

While not available yet, the new issue of Starlog is expected to go on sale in mid-May.

Weinberg, who writes under the pseudonym Kate Westbrook, is the author of the three Moneypenny Diaries novels: Guardian Angel, Secret Servant and Final Fling (the latter due for release this May).

Focusing the attention on the right-hand woman of James Bond, the three novels are set at various time points throughout the 1960s.

Guardian Angel, which was first published in October 2005 in the UK, centers around the Cuban Missile Crisis. Secret Servant saw Jane Moneypenny embroiled in a dangerous Russian mission. The official blurb follows for Final Fling:

The Moneypenny Diaries: Secret Servant

Final Fling combines the excitement of a cold war spy thriller with the mystery of a contemporary detective story. In the 1964/65 volume of her private diaries, Jane Moneypenny reports her demotion from the position of M’s secretary as the British Secret Intelligence Service is hit by a series of defection scandals. Facing considerable personal danger, she combines forces with 007 in a resolve to smoke out the mole she is convinced is buried deep in the heart of the Office. But, when Bond is sacked and M is forced into retirement, Moneypenny finds herself on her own…

Forty-two years later, Miss Moneypenny’s niece and heir, Kate Westbrook, starts to suspect that her aunt’s death was no accident. She is sure the clues to what happened lie in the search for the mole. As she pieces them together, however, she realizes that there are significant forces who are determined to prevent her finding the truth.

From the glamour of 1960s Jamaica to the treacherous beaches of the Outer Hebrides, Final Fling reveals just how far people are prepared to go to defend – or betray – their beliefs, and relates the life and death, and surprising final love, of the world’s most famous fictional secretary.

Click here for the CBn Interview with Samantha Weinberg.

Keep watching CommanderBond.net for all the latest literary James Bond news. To keep track of all the upcoming 007 releases, events, television shows, and more–just keep your eyes on the CBn Calendar, located on the right panel of our main page.