Pre-order The Young Bond Graphic Novel For Charlie Higson's 'SilverFin'

Click to open CBn’s Young Bond character portrait gallery

The graphic novel for Charlie Higson’s first Young James Bond adventure, SilverFin, is now available to pre-order at amazon.co.uk, according to a report from the Young Bond Dossier.

Due for release on 1 May 2008, the SilverFin will feature illustrations by Kev Walker and retail for £7.99. It will be published by Puffin Books. Details on this first (of hopefully many) Young Bond graphic novel were first revealed on CBn back in April 2005.

Higson has been quoted as saying: ‘If the graphic novel is a success there will be more of them in the future, perhaps even some original stories.’ We’ve got our fingers crossed.

• Order the SilverFin graphic novel from Amazon.co.uk

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

James Bond Helps United Artists Turn 90

United Artists, the studio that gave birth to the James Bond film franchise, will celebrate its 90th birthday in 2009, and 007 will be playing a part in the festivities.

The New York Times today reports United Artists, recently revived by Tom Cruise and Paula Wagner, will launch a massive $20 million marketing campaign to celebrate the studio’s anniversary and to look towards its future. The 18-month campaign will encompass print, radio and the Internet (a website is online now), as well as a partnership with Panasonic.

Additionally, the studio will hold the United Artists Film Festival, which will tour 20 cities and screen assorted studio classics, including the very first James Bond film, 1962’s Dr. No.

United Artists Cinema Greats – Volume 1

“We want to reinforce and remind people of what a powerful film history and legacy a brand like United Artists has,” said Paula Wagner.

United Artists will also release a range of DVDs showcasing the studio’s most famous pictures, including an epic 90-title box set, certain to contain some of the early Bond films. Encased in frosted glass and weighing almost 30 pounds, the set will retail for US$869.98. For the mainstream consumer, four “Best of United Artists” gift sets were released in the U.S. this week; Volume 1 also features Dr. No (click here to order from Amazon.com).

Established in 1919 by Charles Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks, D.W. Griffith and Mary Pickford, United Artists produced a range of critically and commercially successful films throughout the mid-20th century. In 1961, the studio financed Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman to produce a film based on Ian Fleming’s Dr. No, which kick-started the James Bond cinematic legacy. Following the release of 1974’s The Man With The Golden Gun, Saltzman sold his stake in the 007 series to United Artists. Despite the fact MGM absorbed United Artists in the 1980s, who, in turn, were bought by Sony in 2004, the studio has remained public co-copyright holders for the series ever since.

Keep watching the new-look CommanderBond.net for the latest James Bond news.

James Bond Investigates 'The Paradise Plot'

Amazon.com is now listing Titan’s fourteenth James Bond comic strip collection, The Paradise Plot. The online store lists a release date of 15 July 2008.

The Literary 007 has confirmed The Paradise Plot and Deathmask will feature in the collection. Both were written by Jim Lawrence, illustrated by John McLusky and published in the early 1980s.

In February 2008, Titan will release Shark Bait, which will include The Xanadu Connection, Shark Bait and Doomcrack.

CommanderBond.net will bring you more news on this, and future Titan collections, as it comes to hand.

Discuss this Titan James Bond collection in this thread on the CBn Forums.

Marc Forster Briefly Discusses 'Bond 22'

While the majority of recent news on Bond 22 has been focused on Paul Haggis and his work on the script (with some interesting developments along the way), director Marc Forster had a brief moment to speak about the film in an interview with ComingSoon.net.

When asked why he’d accepted the task of helming Daniel Craig’s second James Bond adventure, Forster said: ‘After doing Kite Runner and being in this world and being in tents in Western China in the hardest conditions where obviously, you don’t have any stars, so you’re limited with your budget and what you can do … ultimately, the studio has to watch out for the commercial possibilities of the films, so doing a Bond film next is just a new challenge, something different. I always like–if you look at my films–I always like to do the opposite of what I just did.’

‘No, I still have to do it all,’ added Forster when asked if any actors had been lined up for Bond 22. ‘I’ve been really focusing on Kite Runner as well, so there has been no casting news, nothing.’ He also noted that they weren’t sure where they’d be shooting first once principal photography commences in mid-December.

Forster says he’s simply approaching the film like any other at the moment and not worrying over what will likely be a substantial budget: ‘I assume that probably with every movie and movies in general, you always have to deal with budgetary concerns, but we will see.’

With the possibility of a Writers Guild strike creating some unwanted issues for Bond 22 (screenwriter Haggis is reportedly ‘ploughing through’ in order to finish this 007 script as soon as possible), Forster said it was hard to pinpoint exactly what the effect would be. ‘I hope if there’s a strike, it will be short. It’ll be hard to judge if it’s a long strike. It’s all up in the air.’

CommanderBond.net will keep you updated with all the latest news and details on Bond 22.

'Hurricane Gold' Paperback Artwork Revealed

While it isn’t due for release in the UK until 28 May 2008 (the same day that the Ian Fleming centenary novel Devil May Care hits shelves), the artwork for the paperback edition of Hurricane Gold has been revealed.

The new cover for Charlie Higson’s fourth Young James Bond novel can be viewed at the Young Bond Dossier. With a similar gold backround as originally on the hardback, this edition also prominently features a crocodile (which plays a role near the end of the novel) on the cover.

While not yet listed on amazon, the expected retail price of the Hurricane Gold is £6.99. We’ll notify you as soon as it is available for pre-order.

Be sure to check out CBn’s brand new interview with Young Bond author, Charlie Higson.

Keep watching CBn for all the latest Hurricane Gold and Young Bond coverage.

Daniel Craig Signs For Four More Bond Films

Daniel Craig has been signed on for four more films as James Bond, according to trade paper, The Hollywood Reporter. MGM chairman and CEO, Harry Sloan yesterday revealed the news at the Forbes MEET II conference.

Daniel Craig as James Bond

Sloan referred to franchises as “the base of any studio”, before revealing Craig is signed up as Agent 007 right through until Bond 25. MGM also plans on making follow-ups to Fame, Death Wish and 1999’s The Thomas Crown Affair, which starred ex-007, Pierce Brosnan.

The details of Craig’s contract have not been publicly disclosed, but the success of last year’s Casino Royale prompted the studio to renegotiate his fee for his first three Bond films, making him Britain’s highest-paid actor.

Pierce Brosnan signed on for a three-picture contract, with an option for a fourth, which became his final turn in the role. However, Timothy Dalton made just two 007 movies when his three-picture deal lapsed in the early 1990s.

Daniel Craig’s second James Bond film, the yet-to-be-titled Bond 22, is due out next year. Sony are eying a 2010 release date for Bond 23.

Meanwhile, Harry Sloan predicts the potential Writers Guild strike, which could occur as early as next week, will not take place.

Keep watching the new-look CommanderBond.net for the latest news on Bond 22 and beyond.

Sir Roger Moore Receives Inspiration Award For His Work With UNICEF

Sir Roger Moore today received the prestigious Dag Hammarskjöld Inspiration Award honouring his never-ending work with UNICEF throughout the world. A ceremony took place in New York City. The full press release follows:

Sir Roger Moore receives Dag Hammarskjöld Inspiration Award for his work with UNICEF

NEW YORK, USA, 25 October 2007 – “I’ve been an exceedingly lucky actor, and the luck of it all was that I was able to come and work for UNICEF,” said Goodwill Ambassador Sir Roger Moore as he received the Dag Hammarskjöld Inspiration Award at a ceremony in New York today.

The prestigious humanitarian award is presented in memory of the second United Nations Secretary-General, Dag Hammarskjöld, who served from April 1953 until his death in a plane crash in September 1961.

Sir Roger, only the second recipient of the award, received it for his work with UNICEF on behalf of the world’s children.

“It is an enormous privilege to receive this award in honour of Dag Hammarskjöld,” said the veteran actor and child advocate. “He devoted his life, as short as it was, to improving the world for people. He died long before he should have done, working for that cause.”

‘The truth will eventually win’

The award to Sir Roger was announced at the annual luncheon of the Dag Hammarskjöld Scholarship Fund for Journalists. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and Her Majesty Queen Rania of Jordan attended, along with UNICEF Executive Director Ann M. Veneman and other dignitaries.

The Secretary General couldn’t resist referring to Sir Roger’s former career, saying “My name is Ban, not James Bond.”

“I was told never to work with animals and children. They didn’t tell me not to follow a Secretary General,” quipped Sir Roger.

Sir Roger paid tribute to the young journalists supported by the fund, who are given the chance to work at the UN, and encouraged them to continue the mission charted by Mr. Hammarskjöld.

“He wanted the world to know the truth and the world to be improved upon,” Sir Roger said. “To the recipients of the scholarship I would say: Continue, continue to tell the truth. The truth will eventually win.”

Celebrating three milestones

At the award ceremony, Sir Roger also revealed another important life achievement that occurred earlier this month, when he received his own star on Hollywood Boulevard. And Ms. Veneman announced a third milestone: Sir Roger’s 80th birthday.

“He is passionate, he is compassionate. He is a champion for children,” she said as a three-tiered cake was wheeled out, bearing – among other decorations – the colours of UNICEF. “Today we’re here to toast not only his award, but this very special important time in his life. Happy birthday to you.”

Click here to view pictures of Sir Roger Moore at the ceremony.

Keep your eyes on CommanderBond.net for all the latest James Bond news.

Writers Guild Strike Looms Over 007

The Los Angeles Times carries an excellent report on the effect the potential Writers Guild strike could have upon Hollywood’s upcoming slate. Last week, the guild voted overwhelmingly in favour of a strike if contract negotiations with studios and networks fail.

Paul Haggis

The report notes that Paul Haggis is currently “ploughing through” the script for the next James Bond film, in light of the fact a strike could occur as early as 1 November. With the guild’s contract due to expire on 31 October, the Oscar-winner could potentially have less than a week to turn in the Bond 22‘s script.

Haggis is just one writer under increasing pressure to complete scripts for studios’ 2008 and 2009 tentpole pictures. While Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull, Sex And The City and the next Star Trek instalment are all expected to lens without issues, scripts for Night At The Museum 2, G.I. Joe, State Of Play and X-Men Origins: Wolverine are all being hurriedly completed in order to beat the strike.

Aside from Bond 22, Sony’s other major Summer 2008 release is Angels And Demons, the follow-up to last year’s The Da Vinci Code. Akiva Goldsman, who adapted both of Dan Brown’s novels, told the Los Angeles Times, “It’s pencil down until midnight on Halloween. It’s unavoidably intensely stressful, but it’s the way of the world right now. Everybody is living in the impending doom.”

On 19 September, Paul Haggis said he was headed to Italy to continue writing the Bond 22 script, while another interview from last month hinted the film’s plot had been “tossed out” at some point during development.

Bond 22 was recently revealed to be on the studio’s list of priority projects to get off the ground before any strike takes place.

To read the full article, head over to the Los Angeles Times website.

Keep watching the new-look CommanderBond.net for the latest Bond 22 news.

Portrait Of Sir Roger Moore Going Up For Auction To Benefit UNICEF

4 November 2007 UPDATE: The end date for this auction has been updated to 21 December 2007 at 1800 CET.

Our friends at From Sweden With Love are hosting an auction for a special and unique portrait of actor and UNICEF ambassador Sir Roger Moore.

Unveiled in September 2007 at the Resto-Club Largo in Quebec City, Canada, the portrait was created by artist Cathia Hamel and personally signed by Sir Roger Moore in New York City. It measures 30 x 24 inches.

In addition, eight numbered lithographs (framed and also signed by Sir Roger) are also available to purchase directly via Paypal from the JamesBond007.se website for $1600 Canadian dollars.

Bidding started on 21 October (at a price of $3000 Canadian dollars) for the Sir Roger Moore portrait and ends on 3 November 2007 at 1800 CET (Central European Time). A media event will follow on the 8th of November at the Largo restaurant (official website) in Quebec City to announce the amount of funds raised from the sale.

The proceeds from this sale will benefit UNICEF (official website).

For further information on the sale, to register and place a bid, or purchase a lithograph, click here to visit From Sweden With Love.

Keep watching the new-look CBn main page for all the latest details on James Bond events all around the world.

Daniel Craig To Receive Variety Award At BIFA Ceremony

Daniel Craig

Daniel Craig is set to receive the Variety Award at the upcoming British Independent Film Awards, which will be taking place in late November, according to a report from Variety.

The star of Casino Royale and next year’s Bond 22 is being awarded this honour due to his contribution to bringing the international spotlight to the British film industry.

In the past, Craig has been nominated three times at the British Independent Film Award (BIFA) ceremonies, winning the best actor award for 2000’s Some Voices. His other nominations include 1999’s The Trench and 2004’s Enduring Love.

The jury comprises actors Hayley Atwell, Archie Panjabi, Kathy Burke, Tony Curran, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Matthew Macfadyen; directors Annie Griffin, Menhaj Huda, Neil Marshall and Peter Webber; London Film Festival artistic director Sandra Hebron; producer Mark Herbert; cinematographer Brian Tufano; distributor Will Clarke; and musician Nitin Sawhney. Click here to see the full list of nominations.

The awards were established in 1998 to celebrate and promote achievement in independently-funded British film. This year’s ceremony will take place on 28 November at Roundhouse in north London.

Keep watching CBn for all the latest James Bond news.