'James Bond: The Secret World Of 007' Coming In October '08

In what seems to be an exact replica of events two years ago in the months leading up to the release of Casino Royale, a new listing for James Bond: The Secret World of 007 by DK Publishing and Alastair Dougall has appeared online at amazon.com.

James Bond: The Secret World of 007 offers readers a chance to look at the films by selecting certain key scenes (such as the volcano set in You Only Live Twice and the San Monique finale in Live And Let Die) and acting some of them out, showing the reader where the character’s exact movements in some instances. It also provides information on several of the main characters, gadgets and other items. MI6, the women of 007, Ernst Stavro Blofeld of SPECTRE receive a few pages dedicated to each in the book as well.

The original edition covered from Dr. No through The World Is Not Enough. The revised edition, which was released in October 2006, was updated with coverage for Die Another Day and Casino Royale.

While details are very limited on this new edition (due out on 20 October 2008), it seems likely that it would be updated to include coverage on Daniel Craig’s second Bond film, Quantum of Solace, due out on 7 November.

Order James Bond: The Secret World of 007

• Order the US hardback edition of James Bond: The Secret World of 007 from Amazon.com

We’ll keep you updated as further information develops.

Keep watching CommanderBond.net 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.

More 'GoldenEye 007' Re-release Rumblings

Just as quickly as rumours emerged that the quintessential James Bond game, GoldenEye 007, was in development for Xbox Live Arcade, they were quashed when reports suggested a deal could not be reached between Nintendo and Microsoft.

Now, a curious article at Xbox Evolved has been posted, which hints the classic first-person shooter may not be entirely dead after all.

Rather than a direct re-release of the game on Xbox Live Arcade, Xbox Evolved’s source has hinted at an new title from GoldenEye 007 developer Rareware that uses many of the same elements, including the same engine.

The website has had a glimpse of several screenshots for the game, which has the working title Bean Project, and reports that it appears very similar to the original. “The achievements for the game seem to fit also,” Xbox Evolved reporter John Olin writes. “One is for becoming a ’00’ agent, another for ‘007’ and another for the now infamous silo mission.” Joanna Dark, the title character of the GoldenEye 007 pseudo-sequel, Perfect Dark appears as a placeholder in the game’s dashboard.

Xbox Evolved speculates Rareware is developing this for release in the event that discussions between Nintendo and Microsoft fall through. According to the site, the two parties are allowing GoldenEye 007 to be released on Nintendo Wii and Xbox Live Arcade on the condition that Rareware will not be involved in the porting of the game to the Wii (instead, the game may be outsourced to one of Nintendo’s other developers).

While Nintendo and Microsoft both declined to comment, a representative for Activision, who currently hold the development rights for the James Bond games, said, “We have nothing to do with a GoldenEye 007 game, I would think that is Nintendo and Microsoft’s deal. Our own Bond game, however, from Treyarch, is powered by the same technology that made [Call of Duty 4] and that, along with Treyarch developers’ [Call of Duty 5] is coming along very nicely.”

Activision’s first James Bond game is said to be an adaptation of the forthcoming movie, Quantum of Solace, due out in November 2008.

Stay tuned to CommanderBond.net for all the latest news and coverage regarding all the James Bond 007 video games.

Win A Royal Mail James Bond First Day Cover

CommanderBond.net is giving forum members the chance to win a James Bond First Day Cover as issued by the Royal Mail on 8 January as part of their Ian Fleming centenary celebrations.

As earlier reported on CBn, six stamps were issued, each featuring a different 007 novel from Fleming. Furthermore, a miniature sheet, prestige stamp booklet, presentation pack, press sheet and first day covers were also issued to compliment this release.

This competition is open to all members of 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!

To enter, fill out the following questionnaire and send a Communiqué/Private Message on the CBn Forums to ‘CBn Competition’ (Subject: CBn Stamps) by Midnight EST on 22 February 2008 (simply click on the link in this paragraph).

1. The following James Bond 007 novels by Ian Fleming were featured on the six newly issued Royal Mail stamps, except for (Hint):

• A – Casino Royale
• B – Live And Let Die
• C – From Russia With Love
• D – For Your Eyes Only

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

James Bond Poster Auction Has A Licence To Thrill

News has emerged of an upcoming auction that will be of particular interest to collectors of the James Bond film posters. Set to take place on 11 and 12 March 2008, the Dallas-based Heritage Auction Galleries’ upcoming Vintage Movie Poster Auction will be featuring the elusive British quads of the early Sean Connery 007 films. Full details follow:

James Bond Poster Auction Has A Licence To Thrill

DALLAS, TEXAS: One of the most successful franchises in film history, the James Bond series of movies has been thrilling audiences worldwide since 1962. Now, collectors will have a chance to acquire several very rare, country-of-origin British Quad movie posters to the earliest of these incredible films in Dallas-based Heritage Auction Galleries’ upcoming Vintage Movie Poster Auction, to be held March 11 & 12, 2008.

Author Ian Fleming introduced British superspy James Bond, Agent 007 with a license to kill, in his 1953 novel, Casino Royale. Although the books were popular from their initial publication – President John F. Kennedy listed From Russia with Love as one of his ten favorite novels of all time, in a list published in Life Magazine – it was the film series that made the character an icon. Eon Productions bought the rights in the late 1950s, and inaugurated the series in 1962 with the release of Dr. No, starring Sean Connery as Bond and Joseph Wiseman as his first nemesis, the deadly Dr. Julius No, who schemes to conquer the world by hijacking America’s space program.

“With their thrilling action, outlandish plots, and gorgeous girls, the films were a massive hit from the beginning,” said Grey Smith, Director of Vintage Movie Poster auctions for Heritage. “Dr. No, which cost approximately $1 million to make, ended up grossing nearly $60 million on its initial release, and made an instant star out of Connery. It also, in many ways, established the template for all the films to follow, up to and including Quantum of Solace, the newest movie starring current Bond Daniel Craig, set for release this fall.”

“As popular as the movies have been,” said Smith, “it’s no surprise that the posters associated with them have been avidly collected almost since the beginning of the franchise. The American one sheets, for example, are perennially popular, with more unusual pieces, like the Esquire posters produced for Thunderball and You Only Live Twice, bringing exceptionally strong prices on the rare occasions that they’re offered, due to their scarcity.”

“Among the rarest posters in the Bond universe are the country-of-origin British Quads,” said Smith. “Produced in Great Britain in far smaller quantities than their American counterparts, these attractive posters, which measure 30″ x 40″ and display horizontally, are seldom seen, creating a massive hole in most serious Bond collections. On occasion, Quads from the later films in the series will surface, but even these are few and far between.”

“In our upcoming auction, we’re pleased to offer beautiful Quads from all the Connery Bond films,” Smith continued, “including Dr. No, From Russia with Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball, You Only Live Twice, and Diamonds are Forever. Paper from these trendsetting movies is the most desirable of all, and I’m confident that Bond collectors from around the world will bid aggressively for the chance to own these rare beauties.”

To see full-color, enlargeable images of these posters, along with every other lot in the auction, complete with thorough catalog description, and to place bids online, please visit www.HA.com/MoviePosters.

Heritage Auction Galleries’ upcoming Vintage Movie Poster Auction will be held March 11 & 12, 2008 in Dallas, Texas. For more information, please visit www.HA.com/MoviePosters.

Dr. No (United Artists, 1962). British Quad (30″ X 40″):

http://www.HA.com/MoviePosters/common/prlink.php?Sale_No=693&Lot_ID_No=54004&type=prte-pr012508a

ESTIMATE: $3,000 – $5,000

From Russia with Love (United Artists, 1964). British Quad (30″ X 40″):

http://www.HA.com/MoviePosters/common/prlink.php?Sale_No=693&Lot_ID_No=54003&type=prte-pr012508a

ESTIMATE: $4,000 – $6,000

Goldfinger (United Artists, 1964). British Quad (30″ X 40″):

http://www.HA.com/MoviePosters/common/prlink.php?Sale_No=693&Lot_ID_No=54011&type=prte-pr012508a

ESTIMATE: $2,000 – $4,000

Thunderball (United Artists, 1965). British Quad (30″ X 40″):

http://www.HA.com/MoviePosters/common/prlink.php?Sale_No=693&Lot_ID_No=116001&type=prte-pr012508a

ESTIMATE: $1,200 – $2,400

You Only Live Twice (United Artists, 1967). British Quad (30″ X 40″):

http://www.HA.com/MoviePosters/common/prlink.php?Sale_No=693&Lot_ID_No=116002&type=prte-pr012508a

ESTIMATE: $1,000 – $2,000

Diamonds Are Forever (United Artists, 1971). British Quad (30″ X 40″).:

http://www.HA.com/MoviePosters/common/prlink.php?Sale_No=693&Lot_ID_No=54010&type=prte-pr012508a

ESTIMATE: $400 – $800

For more information about Heritage’s auctions, and a complete record of prices realized, along with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit www.HA.com.

To access the Heritage Press Release Archives, please visit http://www.HA.com/MoviePosters/common/info/press

Prospective consignors and sellers of vintage movie posters and related material should contact Grey Smith at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 1367, or 214-409-1367, or email [email protected].

To reserve your copy of any Heritage auction catalog, please Client Services at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 1150, or visit www.HA.com/Catalog to order by email.

Keep watching the CommanderBond.net main page for all the latest details on James Bond events all around the world.

Neil Jackson Is 'Mr. Slate' In 'Quantum of Solace'

French 007 site JamesBond-fr.com alerts us to the fact that British actor Neil Jackson has been added to the cast list for Quantum of Solace at the IMDb.

Jackson’s role is listed as ‘Mr. Slate’ and while the IMDb isn’t always the most reliable site for Bond news, fans will also want to take note of the following message posted on Jackson’s MySpace blog on 19 December:

‘I finalized contracts a few days ago to play the role of Mr. Slate in the new, as yet untitled, Bond film. Details are a little sketchy at this point, but I do have a big fight with 007… more to follow.’

It seems like ‘Mr. Slate’ will be another new addition to the villains of Quantum of Solace, which already include Dominic Greene (played by Mathieu Amalric), General Medrano (Joaquín Cosio), Mr. White (Jesper Christensen) and the as-yet-unnamed character to be played by Anatole Taubman.

Keep your eyes on the CommanderBond.net main page for all the latest news and complete coverage of Quantum of Solace.

Charlie Higson To Make Appearance At Hay Festival

Following up the news that James Bond authors Charlie Higson And Sebastian Faulks would be attending the Oxford Literary Festival at the end of March/early April, the Young Bond Dossier has scored an exclusive on yet another upcoming literary 007-related appearance.

The website reports that Higson will be making an appearance at the Guardian Hay Festival on 28 May at 2:30pm.

What is particularly special about this upcoming appearance is the date itself–28 May–which marks the centenary of Ian Fleming’s birthday and also sees the release of Faulks’ new Bond novel, Devil May Care as well as the UK paperback of Higson’s own Hurricane Gold.

The 2008 Guardian Hay Festival is scheduled to run from 22 May through 1 June in Hay-in-Wye, Wales. For further details on the event, visit the official website.

Keep watching CommanderBond.net 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.

Possible 'Quantum of Solace' Opening Sequence Details

WARNING: Possible plot spoilers

As first reported by CommanderBond.net back in October 2007, Lago di Garda, the largest and deepest lake in Italy, was set to make an appearance in the newest James Bond film, Quantum of Solace.

According to the report from German magazine Gardasee-Zeitung at the time, the opening sequences of the then-untitled 007 film would be shot ‘with the utmost probability’ on the eastern shores of the lake.

Very recently, James Bond Web Italia posted an update on the filming of Quantum of Solace–including some possible opening sequence details.

The report states that the cast and crew of the Bond film are scheduled to Malcesine, in the province of Verona (chosen as the location for the opening of the film), from 15-21 April to shoot some ‘breathtaking’ scenes between the resorts of Malcesine, Tempesta and Navene.

A car chase at Lago di Garda–with speeds of up to 200 km/h (roughly 125 MPH)–will also reportedly be featured with overtaking and manoeuvres in a series of tunnels. An explosion at the end of the sequence will result from several motorists and a truck that try to avoid the cars engaged in the chase.

The Bond production will then move to the village of Limone (this location and others exclusively confirmed by CBn this past month) in order to film a different part of the pursuit.

According to this CBn article, the Limone shoot (as well as Tremosine) are scheduled to take place during the last two weeks of April.

Scenes for Quantum of Solace will also reportedly be shot at the Locanda Punta San Vigilio and in the Grand Hotel Fasano in Gardone.

Lago di Garda, which is located in the north of the country, is divided between the provinces of Verona (to the south-east), Brescia (south-west), and Trentino region (north). The lake is a major tourist destination, with a number of hotels and resorts along its shore.

Keep your eyes on the CommanderBond.net main page for all the latest news and complete coverage of Quantum of Solace.

Further Details On Panama Shoot For 'Quantum of Solace'

WARNING: Possible plot spoilers

It was confirmed in early January that Panama woud be featuring in the then-untitled 22nd James Bond film (and first brought up as a possibility way back in September ’07). Now, a Yahoo news report has shed a few more details on what to expect at this particular Quantum of Solace production shoot.

The old port of the Panamanian capital and the historic village of Portobelo on the Atlantic coast will be featured in Quantum of Solace.

The executive assistant of the office of the Old Town, Pitu Jaén, responsible for coordinating filming permits in the area, indicated that after speaking to some of the crew members involved on the 007 film, the scenes in Panama will correspond to the plot that develops in a South American country.

As already assumed, Panama will not be portraying Panama in the film, but rather a South American country the producers did not wish to name at the time.

‘The idea is to give the impression of being an Andean country. I believe that Panama will be Bolivia… not Panama,’ he said.

The office has leased parking lots adjacent to the National Theatre, because this is where some 1000 extras will be located to rest as they film in the ancient building of the National Institute of Culture, which is in the Old City,’ Jaén added.

‘We are providing the parking and the city of Panama, where it was placed before the public market, which will be used as a production centre.’

Filming is scheduled to begin at the National Institute of Culture building on 11 February and is planned to last roughly a week. Shooting is also planned to take place at a few other sites in the area, including the former colonial social club.

Constructed in 1931 as part of the walled area of the city, the National Institute of Culture will be transformed into a hotel for the Quantum of Solace shoot. Featuring refurbished halls and stairs, the building will serve as the location for one of the main action sequences in the film where, according to local press, an assassination attempt is made on Daniel Craig’s James Bond while he is in the elevator.

Furthermore, the local press published a note stating that on 14 and 15 February, ‘shooting will take place in the Patio Rochet’ between 6:00pm and 6:00am. The note was signed by James Grant, the location manager in Panama, who apologised in advance for the ‘degree of disturbance’ that the shooting will likely cause.

Additionally, the district mayor of Portobelo, in the Atlantic province of Colon (north of the captial), Carlos Chavarria, explained that he had already held a meeting with the production crew, and filming on that coast will take place between 1-4 March.

‘They are going to shoot in the town of La Guaira, on Isla de Cabra and in the Túnel del Amor (Tunnel of Love), a place where there is only mangroves and is located between the towns of Garrote and Cacique,’ he said.

Chavarria noted that the Quantum of Solace filming will be highlighting several historic sites of Portobelo and further revealed revealed that hiring of some people for extra work is scheduled, ‘although most are being chosen in (the city of) Colon.’

Keep watching the CommanderBond.net main page for the most up-to-date and complete coverage of Quantum of Solace.

Charlie Higson's 'SilverFin' Receives Isinglass Teen Read Nomination

The Young Bond Dossier reports that Charlie Higson’s SilverFin has been nominated for the 2007/2008 Isinglass Teen Read Award.

The author’s first Young James Bond novel is listed among the top 20 books as read and nominated by the 7th and 8th graders and then chosen by the Isinglass Teen Read committee members. The awards began in Barrington, New Hampshire in 2001 and became a state-wide event in 2005.

To learn more about the awards or to listen to a podcast review of SilverFin, visit the official website.

Keep watching CBn for all the latest details on the SilverFin graphic novel and all Young Bond news.

Fernando Guillen Cuervo Joins 'Quantum of Solace' Cast

According to a newly posted article at De aquellas maneras, Spanish actor Fernando Guillén Cuervo will be joining the cast of Quantum of Solace.

The actor, whose role in the upcoming James Bond film was left unspecified, is scheduled to join the 007 production in Panama and London for a few weeks.

Guillén Cuervo has starred in several films and TV series including Los Novios búlgaros, Airbag and Boca a boca. His directing credits include Los Mánagers and Año Mariano.

We’ll keep you updated as further details on his character in Quantum of Solace develop.

Keep your eyes on the CommanderBond.net main page for all the latest news and complete coverage of Quantum of Solace.