Fleming's 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' Release Date Moves To 28 May

New edition of Ian Fleming’s Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

The release date on the upcoming reprint of Ian Fleming’s popular children’s novel, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, has moved around once again: now due out on the centenary of the author’s birthday: 28 May.

The novel is one of Fleming’s three non-James Bond novels (the other two, The Diamond Smugglers and Thrilling Cities, are also due to be reprinted later this year).

This reprint was first announced on CommanderBond.net back in October 2007 as part of the centenary celebrations being put together by Ian Fleming Publications (IFP).

Retailing for £14.99 and featuring original illustrations by John Burningham, 007 fans can order this ‘fabulous new gift edition’ Chitty Chitty Bang Bang from amazon.co.uk.

The wings slowly tilted, and as Commander Pott, at last realizing what Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was up to, pressed down the accelerator pedal, the big green car tilted up her shining green and silver nose and took off! Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond, invented “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” for his young son Caspar, and it went on to become the most famous and best-loved car in fiction. This treasured story inspired a film and a musical and is celebrated in this lavish, highly collectible new edition, complete with its original timeless artwork by John Burningham, one of Britain’s most popular author/illustrators.

This reprint of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is just one of many upcoming releases literary Bond fans can look forward to. Others include Sebastian Faulks’ debut 007 novel Devil May Care, Samantha Weinberg’s third Miss Moneypenny adventure Final Fling, new hardback reprints of all 14 original Fleming 007 novels, the UK paperback edition of Charlie Higson’s latest Young James Bond adventure Hurricane Gold and much, much more.

• Order Chitty Chitty Bang Bang from Amazon.co.uk

There are no details regarding a release in the US.

Keep watching CBn for all the latest literary James Bond news and coverage. 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.

Two New Daniel Craig Biographies Now Available In US

Despite not listed to be released until 28 April and 1 May respectively, Daniel Craig: The Biography and Daniel Craig – Ultimate Professional are currently shipping at amazon.com.

Both of these biographies were previously released in the UK at the end of last year.

The first of these books centering on the newest James Bond star, Daniel Craig: The Biography, is written by Sarah Marshall. Published by John Blake and retails for $24.95. The full blurb:

He’s gorgeous, tremendously talented, charming and sexy. His breathtaking performance as the new James Bond in Casino Royale won him legions of fans and proved that, as well as being an outstanding actor; he could cut it as an action hero and could re-define a cinematic icon to huge critical acclaim. Daniel Craig, arguably the most inspiring 007, has truly made it as an A-list film star. This fascinating and affectionate book reveals everything about Britain’s favourite leading man: how he endured poverty-stricken years when he was first struggling to make it as an actor in London; how he rejected the ‘trivial’ publicity that came when he started to make a name for himself; his relationships, including his marriage to a British actress with whom he has a daughter; plus his encounters with Sienna Miller and Kate Moss and how he has handled the adulation that has come from his new role as 007. This is the intriguing story of a supremely talented actor who has established his reputation, then defied expectations and silenced those who doubted his Bond would live up to its predecessors. It is essential reading for any Daniel Craig admirer and for the masses of film fans for whom his performance as Bond was an unforgettable cinematic experience.

The second, Daniel Craig – Ultimate Professional, is by Daniel O’Brien. Retailing for $27.95, this hardback is published by Reynolds & Hearn. The blurb follows:

YOU KNOW HIS NAME – not only as the latest James Bond in Casino Royale, but also as XXXX in Layer Cake, Ben Driscoll in The Invasion and Lord Asriel in The Golden Compass. Yet Daniel Craig has long been recognised as one of the best British actors of his generation, a committed professional who is passionate about his work and has often shunned the lure of easy money in Hollywood blockbusters in favour of more challenging roles in low-budget European films.

Daniel Craig – Ultimate Professional takes an in-depth look at the career of the pub landlord’s son who made his acting debut at the age of six and rose to prominence through roles such as the tormented Geordie Peacock in Our Friends In The North, the schizophrenic Ray in Some Voices, the mercenary archeologist Alex West in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, the amorous carpenter Darren in The Mother, and the murderous Perry Smith in Infamous.

Fully illustrated throughout, Daniel Craig – Ultimate Professional also includes 16 pages of colour photos of the actor who was voted the sexiest man in the world in a recent poll.

• Order Daniel Craig: The Biography from Amazon.com
• Order Daniel Craig – Ultimate Professional from Amazon.com

Stay tuned to CommanderBond.net for all the latest literary James Bond news.

'Thrilling Cities' And 'The Diamond Smugglers' Reprints Coming Soon

IanFlemingCentenary.com highlights that Ian Fleming’s non-James Bond books, Thrilling Cities and The Diamond Smugglers are also due to be released this year.

The former, a collection of travel essays, was first published in 1963. Hong Kong, Macao, Tokyo, Honolulu, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Chicago, New York, Hamburg, Berlin, Vienna, Geneva, Naples, and Monte Carlo are all featured.

The Diamond Smugglers was first published in 1957 and concerns the tale of a diamond smuggling racket from Africa.

Fleming’s other non-007 title, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, is also due out this year.

Details of the new editions remain forthcoming. CBn will bring you all the information as it emerges.

Stay tuned to CBn for the latest details and coverage of the Ian Fleming centenary events.

Ian Fleming Centenary Site Revamped

It is precisely two months until the centenary of James Bond author Ian Fleming’s birth, and IanFlemingCentenary.com has been given a major overhaul.

The website, which was launched last December, has seen its content significantly expanded to include details on all of Ian Fleming’s 007 (and non-007) novels, as well as information about Charlie Higson’s Young Bond series and Samantha Weinberg’s The Moneypenny Diaries trilogy.

Highlights of the revamped site include a glimpse at the upcoming radio dramatisation of Ian Fleming’s Doctor No, and news of a previously unannounced radio program: “The Bond Correspondence”, featuring letters between Ian Fleming and his readers about James Bond. The programme will air on BBC Radio 4 on 10 May and be presented by Roger Moore.

Also, on BBC Radio 4, in June, Bond fans can look forward to a reading of Ian Fleming’s “Risico”, to be broadcast in a week-long series of spy stories.

On 30 September, the “Introducing James Bond: A Tribute to Ian Fleming” Charity Gala will be held at The Royal Festival Hall in London, in aid of The British Heart Foundation.

Head over to IanFlemingCentenary.com for the official centenary celebration news source.

Stay tuned to CBn for the latest details and coverage of the Ian Fleming centenary events.

Daniel Craig Discusses His 'Flashbacks' Fading Star Character

Daniel Craig recently spoke about his upcoming role as a Hollywood has-been in Flashbacks of a Fool.

This is Nottingham reports that the James Bond star told Empire magazine that his role as ‘Joe Scot’ made him think about his own future.

Flashbacks of a Fool tells the story of a hedonistic British actor whose Hollywood career is starting to nosedive as he hits his 40s. The death of his best friend from his English seaside childhood causes him to journey back home for the funeral, and prompts flashbacks to his teenage experiences, including the tragedy that forced him to flee for a new life.

‘It’s never too early to be a has-been!’ he said. ‘But that’s not the relevance. The important thing for me was always that, if you’re not looking after yourself, things will spin out of control.’

Craig continued: ‘The story is very simple. Joe has driven himself right into a corner, and I kind of relate to that. I can understand wanting to hide away from everything, because people seem to be staring. It does get you down a bit.’

‘That’s why it seemed fun to do this film, to play around with that image. Who knows, maybe I will be something like Joe Scot in a few years time. Never say never!’

He added: ‘There’s not a lot of point in being unduly optimistic about this business. It’ll turn around and bite you on the arse–that’s just the way it is. But, I mean, I liked this character when Baillie [Walsh] first wrote it, and I like it even more now that I can go, “Ah, maybe we can push it–play with the dark side a bit more”.’

Craig stars in the film alongside Helen McCrory, Olivia Williams, Emilia Fox and Eve. Harry Eden will play the teenage ‘Joe Scot’ in the film.

Directed by Baillie Walsh and produced by Lene Bausager and Damon Bryant, Craig will also be acting as executive producer.

Flashbacks of a Fool debuts in UK theatres on 18 April.

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

'Double or Die' US Audiobook Cover Art

The cover artwork for the US audiobook edition of Charlie Higson’s third Young James Bond novel, Double or Die, has been revealed according to a report from the Young Bond Dossier.

Due for release on 22 April (the same day as the US hardback), the audiobook edition will be read by actor Nathaniel Parker, who previously read SilverFin and Blood Fever in the US.

This US edition also has the distinction of being completely unabridged in comparison to the UK counterpart read by Higson himself.

In addition, Young Bond fans can listen to an excerpt of the forthcoming release here, thanks to Random House Audio.

• Order the US hardback edition of Double or Die from Amazon.com
• Order the US audiobook edition of Double or Die from Amazon.com

Keep watching CommanderBond.net for all the latest Young Bond and literary 007 news.

More 'Quantum of Solace' Siena Tidbits

Daniel Craig attends
the Palio di Siena in August 2007

WARNING: Possible spoilers

Following up CommanderBond.net’s overview of the Siena, Italy filming sequence for Quantum of Solace, more details have been revealed in local newspapers about what James Bond fans can expect.

A recent press conference held by line producer Guido Cerasuolo of Mestiere Cinema, the Venitian production firm that previously worked on Casino Royale revealed several key dates for the forthcoming filming.

The 007 crew is expected to arrive in Siena on 31 March, with the rooftops chase commenceing on 4 April and lasting until the 12th. Then, as earlier pointed out in this CBn article, they head off to Lago di Garda, the largest and deepest lake in Italy, for a further two weeks of filming.

Daniel Craig is James Bond in Quantum of Solace

Two weeks in the Tuscan city of Carrara at the beginning of May will follow and then the Bond crew heads back to Siena to film at the Piazza del Campo from 13 to 17 May.

Additionally, a separate Quantum of Solace unit will be filming in Talamone at the end of April.

According to Cerasuolo, the Italian sequence will roughly last a total of 15-20 minutes on screen, with the seven to eight minutes in Siena ‘among the most spectacular.’

Daniel Craig attends
the Palio di Siena in August 2007

Speaking specifically about the major chase sequence, Cerasuolo also added that the Bond production has renounced an initial idea of concluding the sequence in the Duomo di Siena cathedral because they deemed the scene would be disrespectful of the sacred monument.

Palio di Siena

As an alternative, Daniel Craig’s Bond will instead ‘pop out’ of the bottini (a tangled network of underground tunnels) at the fountain of Piazza del Campo right at the moment the Palio di Siena horse race ends.

The estimated budget of the sequence in Siena is about € 500,000 – 600,000 (roughly $870,000 / £430,000). 2,000 local extras, as chosen by the Scoutit agency in Firenze, will be used for the sequence (1,000 of those will be situated at the Piazza del Campo for the Palio race).

For further, in depth details about Quantum of Solace Siena action sequence, click here for CBn’s overview.

We’ll keep you updated as more details are revealed.

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

First Look At Charlie Higson's 'Double or Die' US Hardback

Although it isn’t due for release until 22 April, James Bond fans can get a sneak peek at the forthcoming US publication of Charlie Higson’s third Young Bond novel, Double or Die.

The Young Bond Dossier got an in depth look at the hardback, which features brand new artwork from Kev Walker (who also designed the US Blood Fever cover and is behind the upcoming SilverFin graphic novel).

Higson offered his own praise of the cover: ‘It’s fantastic to see the new American cover of Double or Die which has all the romance and atmosphere I imagined when writing the books. Double or Die is a new start for Young Bond in the states and I’m very excited about its release.’

Click here for a full gallery of photos of the US Double or Die hardback.

• Order the US hardback edition of Double or Die from Amazon.com
• Order the US audiobook edition of Double or Die from Amazon.com

Keep watching CommanderBond.net for all the latest Young Bond and literary 007 news.

Ian Fleming's 'Miss Moneypenny' Revealed

Ian Fleming

Letters between James Bond creator Ian Fleming and his typist Jean Frampton reveal the latter’s close relationship with the world of 007.

The BBC News reports that a collection of four signed letters from Fleming will be going up for auction next month on 10 April as a way of marking the centenary of the author.

In one of the letters to go up for sale, dated 31 March, 1960, Fleming asks Frampton to use her ‘keen mind’ to help get his then current Bond novel, Thunderball ‘into shape’.

Anything your quick eye falls upon… would be endlessly welcome,’ he added.

‘You can look on Mrs Frampton as Ian Fleming’s Miss Moneypenny,’ said Amy Brenan of Duke’s auctioneers in Dorset, which is offering the letters for sale.

While Frampton is believed to have never actually met Fleming face to face, the letters reveal that she often offered pointers on plot and literary style while being hired to type the manuscripts of the author’s Bond adventures.

‘Your occasional comments on the work you have done for me have been so helpful,’ wrote Fleming.

Besides her assistance on 1961’s Thunderball, the letters reveal that Frampton also correspondended with Fleming on You Only Live Twice and The Man with the Golden Gun as well.

‘The collection is interesting because it details how the James Bond books were put together in the early 1960s,’ said Ms Brenan.

Also included are letters written by Mrs Frampton and Fleming’s secretaries, Una Trueblood and Beryl Griffie-Williams. The entire collection is expected to sell for &pound2,000 – &pound3,000.

Stay tuned to CommanderBond.net for all the latest literary James Bond news.

'Dr. No' Screening At Inwood Theatre On 5 April

Sean Connery’s debut James Bond film, 1962’s Dr. No, will be hitting the big screen once again at an upcoming screening at the Inwood Theatre in Dallas, Texas.

The 007 adventure will be screened one time only on Saturday, 5 April 2008 at 12:00 (midnight). Advance tickets can be purchased online at the official website.

The Inwood Theatre is located at 5458 West Lovers Lane at Inwood, Dallas, Texas 75209.

For further details about this upcoming Bond screening or to purchase tickets, phone 214-764-9106 or visit the official website.

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