Corgi Celebrates Aston Martin 007 Milestone

Corgi International Limited has presented licencing partner EON Productions with a commemorative plaque, after selling more than seven million units of the phenomenally popular James Bond model car–the Aston Martin DB5.

Toy News reports that the company, famous among 007 fans for their vast collection of Bond-related die cast vehicles, also recently signed a new Worldwide Master Toy and Collectible License with EON, which will allow the company to produce and distribute action figures, vehicles, electronic role-play products, die-cast models, high specification RC items and high end replicas.

The agreement (which was announced back in August of this year) runs through until 2010 and covers the James Bond classic movie archive, the upcoming Bond 22, which is due for release in 2008, and any other moves released during the term.

Corgi has been a partner with EON Productions and their James Bond franchise for more than 40 years. The Aston Martin DB5, which was Corgi model #261, and initially launched in 1965 has remained one of the most popular Bond collectibles ever.

Keep watching CBn for all the latest news from the world of 007.

Penguin's Massive Marketing and Sales Plans For Sebastian Faulks' 'Devil May Care'

Penguin said they were planning a celebration of 007 in 2008, and it looks like they weren’t kidding.

The Bookseller reports that Penguin has set a UK hardback sales target of 250,000 copies for Devil May Care, the new James Bond novel by Sebastian Faulks due for release in May 2008 in honour of Ian Fleming’s centenary.

Additionally, the publisher has revealed that brand new hardback editions of all 14 of the original Fleming Bond novels are also on the way. To be published as part of the new Penguin 007 imprint, each title will retail for £14.99.

Penguin General m.d. Tom Weldon discussed the company’s world domination plans for 28 May 2008–the day Devil May Care hits sheves–with retailers last night: ‘Sebastian has written a tour de force… it is everything we hoped for and a couple of Martinis more.’ He promised an unmissable marketing and publicity campaign. ‘Imagine a speedboat coming down the Thames with the first copy… imagine [Penguin marketing chiefs] Joanna Prior and Naomi Fidler in gold lamé swimsuits abseiling down the building.’

Those in attendance were given a glimpse of the book’s cover, which was designed by The Partners and ‘features a single iconic image.’ The Partners is a London based brand agency whose clients include luxury brands such as Jaguar, De Beers, Harrods, and Sax Fifth Avenue.

Describing the novel, Faulks said he had retained about 80% of Fleming’s style and avoided deep psychological portraits. ‘It’s a period adventure in which I’ve tried to capture a playful spirit. This is not Bond meets Charlotte Gray… my Bond has no inner life.’ Favourite characters Felix Leiter and Miss Moneypenny will also both make a return.

• Order the UK hardback edition of Devil May Care from Amazon.co.uk
• Order the US hardback edition of Devil May Care from Amazon.com
• Order the US audiobook edition of Devil May Care from Amazon.com
• Order the US large print edition of Devil May Care from Amazon.com

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

Win A James Bond Art Print Signed By Artist Robert McGinnis

CBn is giving forum members the chance to win another James Bond 007 art print signed by artist Robert McGinnis.

McGinnis is best known by Bond fans as the man behind the memorable poster campaigns for Thunderball, You Only Live Twice, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, Diamonds Are Forever, and more. As previously reported on CBn, the following art print is a part of the Robert McGinnis Hollywood Edition. Full details:

• Limited edition of 500 copies each
• Each print personally hand-numbered and signed by Robert McGinnis
• Size: 17″ x 23″ (42,50 cm x 58 cm)
• Forur-colour printing on museum-quality paper
• Professionally matted and ready to frame
• Certificate of authenticity

Each print normally sells for $325 / £159, but CBn members can win one absolutely free! The print being offered in this competition is:

“Fit To Kill” (click here to view)

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 McGinnis 2) by Midnight EST on 30 November 2007 (simply click on the link in this paragraph).

1. TRUE or FALSE: A poster for Thunderball featured the tagline: “Far up! Far out! Far more! James Bond 007 is back!”
2. What is your CBn Forum Screen Name?
3. What country/state do you live in?

To discuss this CBn competition or if you have any questions visit this thread on the CBn Forums, the largest James Bond 007 forum on the internet.

All those who answer correctly will be put into a drawing and the winner will be sent a Communiqué/Private Message via the CBn Forums to the Screen Name they provided to inform them of their winning. The winner must respond to this PM within five (5) days with the requested information (name, mailing address, etc) or another drawing will be held. The winner will be announced once shipping information has been received. The item will be shipped from the USA. In the event that a prize has been stolen or mishandled during shipment, CBn will not be able to replace the specific item–this has yet to be a problem.

Activision Commits To Revitalising The James Bond Franchise

While the news has been somewhat quiet regarding the return of James Bond to the video game world under Activision’s guidance, a new report from GamesIndustry.biz shows that the company seems to have a lot in store for the secret agent.

Activision CEO Bobby Kotick has said the company is committed to revitalising the James Bond brand–‘one of the greatest videogame franchises of all time’–while additionally revealing that there are currently two 007 games in development.

‘Bond is one of the great videogame franchises of all time and that really was a result of GoldenEye,’ commented Kotick at a BMO Capital Markets conference.

‘I think the key to re-energising the Bond franchise is going to be ultimately the highest possible game quality.’

Kotick went on to explain that Electronic Arts (EA), who held the Bond licence up until 2006 and whose recent games included GoldenEye: Rogue Agent and From Russia With Love, ultimately neglected the Bond franchise.

‘It suffered a lot because it wasn’t a focal point of Electronic Arts’ efforts over the past five years and they have such a broad portfolio of franchises that this one didn’t get the attention it deserved.’

‘Kotick continued: ‘we have our best development studios working on the product, we have a second team working on another Bond product and we’re putting great resources against it.’

Activision was granted the James Bond licence in May 2006. Their first Bond game has been rumoured to be an adaptation of Bond 22 and is planned for release in 2008.

CBn will keep you updated with all the latest news and details regarding the upcoming Bond games from Activision.

Daniel Craig Urges Activision To Make A Winning Bond Game

Add Daniel Craig to the list of gamers who are hoping Activsion pulls out all the stops for their upcoming James Bond game, due to be released in 2008.

In an article posted at Showbiz Spy, the 007 actor has revealed he’s addicted to computer games. ‘I play games. Hands up. I’m quite into ones that have a big fat story line.’

‘Halo is good because it’s shooting aliens. Those ultra-violent ones I can play for half-an-hour and then I feel dirty. Vice City, for example–I think, “Oh yes, all right, I’ve stolen 18 cars. I’ve had enough now.’

Craig continued: ‘I have to pick my time well. If my girlfriend sees the box then it’s all over. If I get some free time, when she goes away for the weekend, I’ll go and play some games.’

‘I can switch the phone off and not see anybody for a couple of hours. That is blissful. It’s just as well I don’t have much spare time or I would probably fritter it away playing computer games.’

However, Craig added that he wasn’t completely keen on being involved with the tie-in James Bond games when he signed on to play 007 in Casino Royale back in 2005.

‘When I started signing contracts for Bond I said, “I’m not doing the computer game” and they said, “Tough, you are”.’

‘I said to the people making the Bond game (Activision), “You’ve got to make this good because there is so much rubbish out there”.’

Stay tuned to CBn for all the latest James Bond coverage.

UK Release Dates For 'Shark Bait' and 'The Paradise Plot' James Bond Collections

Back in May of this year, CBn reported that Titan’s upcoming James Bond collection, Shark Bait, would be released in the US on 12 February 2008. A listing then subsequently appeared on amazon.co.uk with the same release date.

Thanks to some clarifications posted at The Literary 007, we can now report that the Shark Bait Bond collection will be released in the UK on 25 January 2008 (despite the incorrect amazon date).

In addition, the newest collection, Titan’s The Paradise Plot, will be released in the UK on 27 June 2008. A US release on 15 July has already been set.

In addition to the title story, the Shark Bait collection also includes The Xanadu Connection (originally not syndicated in the UK) and Doomcrack. The latter represents the first of ultimately five Bond comic strips serialised in the Daily Star and is the one and only time Harry North served as the artist.

The Paradise Plot collects Deathmask in addition to the title story and features the return of artist John McLusky, who was absent from the series for roughly 15 years (his most recent Bond story up to that point was the 1965/1966 adaptation of You Only Live Twice).

Stay tuned for CBn for all the latest news on the Titan James Bond comic strip releases.

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang #4

Issue #4 of Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, the official magazine of the James Bond International Fan Club, is available now.

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang Issue #4

Once again, Daniel Craig graces the cover, in an issue that includes Devil May Care and Young Bond coverage, Bond 22 news, product reviews and event reports (including Pinewood’s “Bond Girls Are Forever”).

Feature highlights from the fourth issue include coverage of the Casino Royale royal premiere and a panel discussion with 007 main title designer Daniel Kleinman, composer David Arnold and author Charlie Higson on revitalising the James Bond brand.

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is published by the James Bond International Fan Club. Visit 007.info for details on how to subscribe to Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. The first three issues can also be purchased separately at the website.

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

Paul Haggis Joins WGA Strike; Comments On 'Bond 22' Script

Bond 22 writer Paul Haggis

After turning in the draft screenplay for Bond 22 almost two weeks ago, the Los Angeles Times reports that the writer has now joined the picket line outside Sony Pictures as part of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike.

Calling the heated dispute with Hollywood producers ‘another example of corporate greed,’ Haggis further accused them of trying to ‘shut down the entire town in a very cynical way.’

Haggis said he was prepared to walk the picket line for as long as it takes. Being WGA member since 1975, he explained that ‘it’s my job as a member of the guild to be here.’

While James Bond fans breathed a sigh of relief when the news came in late October that the Bond 22 script was handed in, when questioned about the upcoming 007 film, Haggis replied: ‘They haven’t gotten the polish finished yet.’

In related news, a strike report from Deadline Hollywood Daily notes that Haggis is being paid an estimted $5 million dollars for his work on Bond 22.

Keep watching CBn for all the latest news and details on Bond 22, which hits theatres in November 2008.

MGM To Take Back 007 Distribution From 'Bond 23' On

Variety today revealed MGM would take back distribution of the James Bond films following the release of next year’s Bond 22.

According to the trade paper, the studio will take over distribution from Sony beginning with Bond 23, which is pencilled in for a 2010 release.

News first emerged back in 2005 that MGM may be able to independently distribute its films under a clause in its contract with Sony.

Extensive market research reportedly played a role in Daniel Craig’s new 007 contract

Variety goes on to state Daniel Craig “is locked into a deal” for the first three films distributed by MGM (i.e. Bond 23, 24 and 25), clarifying the pictures covered under the actor’s new contract.

Speaking of which, the Chicago Sun-Times this week reported that extensive market research, reportedly costing almost $100,000, was carried out to verify Craig’s popularity as Agent 007. The producers reportedly carried out the research in “a number of key international markets, including China, India and Latin America”, in addition to Europe and the United States, before inking the deal.

Daniel Craig’s second James Bond film, which remains untitled, begins production in January for release in November next year.

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

'The Numerous Lives Of James Bond' Released In France

A new book with the focus on 007 has been released in France. Les nombreuses vies de James Bond (The Numerous Lives Of James Bond) studies the method of well-known secret agent as well as his other famous colleagues such as Modesty Blair and John Steed.

Les nombreuses vies de James Bond is edited by Laurent Queyssi for Les Moutons Electriques. The book is part of the La bibliothèque rouge (‘The Red Library’) collection, which features original works celebrating the major figures of popular literature. Drafted by writers who take place among the best specialists of each of the characters; and with the cooperation of some of the best researchers in popular/thriller literature, every volume proposes a biography of the character—as if they had really existed.

Les nombreuses vies de James Bond, which was released on 6 October 2007, can currently be ordered at amazon.fr or www.moutons-electriques.com. The list price is €28.00.

Click here to view the cover artwork for Les nombreuses vies de James Bond.

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