Cover Art For Titan's 'Shark Bait' James Bond Collection Online

The Young Bond Dossier reports that the cover art for Titan’s newest James Bond collection, Shark Bait, has been revealed online.

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.

This Bond collection, which is due for release on 12 February 2008 in both the UK and US will also feature the second part of an article centering on the Bond adventures in US comic strips. Caroline Bliss (Miss Moneypenny in The Living Daylights and Licence To Kill) will provide the introduction.

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

Discuss this Titan James Bond news in this thread on the CBn Forums. With thanks to ‘zencat.’

Purchase the Titan James Bond 007 graphic novels from Amazon:

'You Know My Name' Nominated For World Soundtrack Award

The accolades for Casino Royale just keep on coming. The film’s title track, “You Know My Name”, was last week nominated for the award for Best Original Song Written Directly For A Film at the 2007 World Soundtrack Awards.

The song, which was performed by Chris Cornell and written by Cornell and James Bond composer David Arnold, is up for the award alongside four other tracks nominated by the World Soundtrack Academy.

Vying for the title of Best Original Song Written Directly For A Film are:

• “Le Festin” from Ratatouille (music and lyrics by Michael Giacchino and performed by Camille)
• “Falling Slowly” from Once (written and performed by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova)
• “I Need To Wake Up” from An Inconvenient Truth (written and performed by Melissa Etheridge)
• “When You Taught Me How To Dance” from Miss Potter (written by Mike Batt, Nigel Westlake, and Richard Maltby, Jr. and performed by Katie Melua)
• “You Know My Name” from Casino Royale (written by Chris Cornell and David Arnold and performed by Chris Cornell)

The winner will be announced on 20 October, on the closing evening of the Ghent International Film Festival, and is selected by the World Soundtrack Academy’s voting members.

The World Soundtrack Academy was established in 2001 as a way of promoting music in film. The Awards are distributed annually to celebrate outstanding achievement in music in motion pictures. More information about the World Soundtrack Awards can be found on their website.

“You Know My Name” was previously nominated for an International Press Academy Golden Satellite Award in the Best Original Song category, which it won.

Order the “You Know My Name” CD single from Amazon.co.uk.

Order the “You Know My Name” CD single from Amazon.com.

Stay tuned to CBn for all the latest Casino Royale coverage.

Financial Friction Facing Future Bond Films?

The Financial Times, in a story picked up by The Hollywood Reporter, reports that the proposed attempts to raise $700 million to $1 billion funding for selected MGM tentpole releases have been “blown off-course” due to the recent global debt market crunch.

Among these titles are The Hobbit, Terminator 4 and upcoming instalments of the Pink Panther and James Bond franchises. Bond 22 is an MGM co-production with Sony Pictures.

According to the Financial Times, Goldman Sachs and Deutsche Bank, underwriters of the proposed slate of pictures, have stepped down from their role “amid credit woes”. While the financing arrangement has not been ditched all together, it is said to have shifted from an underwriting commitment to a “best efforts” commitment to complete the funding.

MGM is now said to be looking for outside financing for the aforesaid films, which were all on the list of movies Goldman Sachs and Deutsche Bank were to have sought out funding for. However, the studio is understood to be relaxed about the delay as none of the films are due to commence production immediately.

One Hollywood Reporter source said MGM may wait until later in the year before pushing for funding, in hope that the credit market will bounce back. Alternatively, the two banks may remain in business with the studio, but bring in further partners by syndicating the loan.

MGM refused to comment on the reports, while spokespeople for Goldman Sachs and Deutsche Bank could not be reached.

Bond 22 is due for release on 7 November 2008, while Sony are said to be eying a 2010 release date for Bond 23.

Related article

• Sony Eyes 2010 Release Date For Bond 23

SPOILERS: Further Details On Potential 'Bond 22' Action Scene

CommanderBond.net’s intrepid forum members have been eagerly discussing Bond 22‘s potential Tuscan sequences, details of which emerged on Monday. In the process, the original article from the Italian newspaper Il Giornale has been unearthed, and it sheds a bit more light onto what the scenes will involve. CBn Forum member “Vauxhall” kindly translated the key elements of this original report, which clarifies what was relayed in Monday’s Times Online article.

Firstly, “Vauxhall” reports that the original article offers no indication that the previously-reported sequence, in which 007 is said to pursue the film’s villain down Siena’s narrow cobbled streets, across the town’s rooftops and through its medievil aqueducts, all during the Palio di Siena, is actually the climax of the film.

Over the past few weeks, James Bond producers are said to have been negotiating with the Siena town council over what can be shot at the Palio di Siena tomorrow. The Palio is traditionally a major event in the Sienese calendar. The footage reportedly being shot tomorrow is to be strictly of a documentary-style nature, with no manipulation or ridiculing of the event, and no shots of violence involving horses or people to be included.

The article references unconfirmed reports that 007 will negotiate central Siena’s narrow alleys in his Aston Martin before taking to the town’s rooftops in “an exciting pursuit” of the film’s villain. The Palio will apparently serve as a backdrop to this sequence, with shots of the horse race intercut to parallel Bond’s own pursuit. Il Giornale describes the chase sequence as “no holds barred”.

Siena’s town council have reportedly granted Eon Productions permission to return to film footage in and around the town during principal photography between January and July 2008. However, it is likely that such scenes may simply be recreated at Pinewood Studios.

One such scene mentioned in the article would see 007 confronting Bond 22‘s villain in Siena’s bottini, a labyrinthine network of tunnels under the city, which date back to the 12th century and were once used to transport running water to houses. The bottini cannot be visited by the public without written approval.

The town council plans on using Siena’s exposure in the film to present the location in the most positive light possible. However, none of the city’s badges are allowed to be captured on camera during filming.

Some location scouting is said to have took place yesterday (on the eve of the Feast of the Assumption), while tomorrow will reportedly see 14 strategically-placed cameras catching the bi-annual Palio di Siena on film for use in Bond 22.

Keep watching CBn for all the latest news on Bond 22.

Related article

• SPOILERS: ‘Bond 22’ Climactic Scenes Revealed?

The Blades Library Book Club: Scorpius

Welcome back to The Blades Library Book Club – the place for quality discussions of the books of James Bond!

Every two months a James Bond 007 novel is chosen for the club members to read. A thread is posted in the club forums listing locations on where you can find the novel. Discussions about the book will go on as the book is read and when it is finished. Another thread will be created so that club members can post their review and give a rating on the current book.

All fans of the Literary Bond are eligible for membership. All you need to do to sign up is register on the CBn Forums (it’s free and only takes a minute) and then post your name in the sign up thread.

The Book Club’s Twenty-second Book

Currently we are progressing though the James Bond 007 novels in chronological order, since quite a number of members are using the club as an opportunity to read the books for the very first time. The club has just finished all fourteen of the Ian Fleming novels as well as the one-time-only Bond novel by Kingsley Amis, Colonel Sun. Most recently, the club moved onto the John Gardner era, and now continues with his seventh novel: Scorpius.

Obtaining The Book

Ordering online should be fairly easy. Scorpius can be ordered online (although in used condition) from the following sources:

• Amazon.co.uk
• Amazon.com
• eBay

Discuss other places to buy Scorpius or where you got your copy in this thread.

Discuss The Book While Reading

Want to talk about the book while reading it? Post a new thread in The Blades Library.

Review And Rate The Book

After you have finished reading Scorpius, you can discuss it with other club members in The Blades Library, and give the book your personal rating out of five in this thread.

If you have any questions or suggestions just post them in a new thread. Happy reading.

*New* Archive Of All Past Read Books

Additionally, club members can review or comment on any of the past read books in the club any time they want. Click here for the full archive of the past read books in the club.

Previous Books Read

• No Deals, Mr. Bond: June 2007 – July 2007
• Nobody Lives Forever: April 2007 – May 2007
• Role Of Honour: February 2007 – March 2007
• Icebreaker: December 2006 – January 2007
• For Special Services: October 2006 – November 2006
• Licence Renewed: August 2006 – September 2006
• Colonel Sun: June 2006 – July 2006
• Octopussy & The Living Daylights: April 2006 – May 2006
• The Man With The Golden Gun: February 2006 – March 2006
• You Only Live Twice: December 2005 – January 2006
• On Her Majesty’s Secret Service: October 2005 – November 2005
• The Spy Who Loved Me: August 2005 – September 2005
• Thunderball: June 2005 – July 2005
• For Your Eyes Only: April 2005 – May 2005
• Goldfinger: February 2005 – March 2005
• Doctor No: December 2004 – January 2005
• From Russia, With Love: September 2004 – November 2004
• Diamonds Are Forever: July 2004 – August 2004
• Moonraker: May 2004 – June 2004
• Live and Let Die: May 2003 – June 2003
• Casino Royale: March 2003 – April 2003

'The James Bond Encyclopedia' Sneak Preview Online

Back in June of this year, CBn reported that a new 007 book would be hitting the shelves in September: The James Bond Encyclopedia by John Cork and Collin Stutz.

In addition to featuring more than 2,000 movie stills and images, the book will focus on the 007 lifestyle, the role of Bond as interpreted by the six actors who have played him on the big screen, and double-page features on every Bond film, with details of production history, cast, and crew.

Bond fans can now get a sneak preview of The James Bond Encyclopedia at Penguin Australia has provided a “Look Inside” feature for the book. Click here for a sneak preview of The James Bond Encyclopedia.

Created in full collaboration with Eon Productions, producers of the Bond movies, this illustrated celebration of the world’s most famous super-spy examines every aspect of 007’s world, with information on his history, style, and tastes, along with A-Z guides to his adversaries, allies, gadgets, cars, and, of course, the ever-glamorous Bond girls.

John Cork and Collin Stutz authorities on every aspect of the James Bond story, wrote the acclaimed book on the James Bond phenomenon, James Bond: The Legacy, have produced, written and directed 30 special feature documentaries for MGM’s DVD releases of James Bond films, and contributed to The Ultimate James Bond: An Interactive Dossier CD-Rom for MGM Interactive.

The James Bond Encyclopedia is set for release on 6 September in the UK and 15 October in the US.

Pre-order The James Bond Encyclopedia from Amazon.co.uk.

Pre-order The James Bond Encyclopedia from Amazon.com.

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

Discuss this new James Bond book release in this thread on the CBn Forums, the largest James Bond forum on the internet. Thanks to CBn Forum member ‘sharpshooter.’

Related Articles

• ‘The James Bond Encyclopedia’ Previewed At Comic-Con
• ‘The James Bond Encyclopedia’ Coming In September 2007
• The John Cork CBn Interview

'SilverFin' Makes The 2007 Books Alive Great Read Guide

Charlie Higson’s debut Young Bond novel, SilverFin, has been named one of the 50 books “so good everyone will want to read” in The 2007 Books Alive Great Read Guide.

Books Alive is an Australian Government initiative that “aims to encourage all Australians to experience the joys of reading”. As part of the initiative, an annual campaign is run to ignite the Australian public’s passion for reading, which includes the publication of the Great Read Guide each August.

A substantial advertising campaign accompanies the publication of this guide, with selected bookstores across the country displaying extensive promotional material for the 50 chosen reads, many of which boast discounted prices (as part of this campaign, SilverFin now retails half-price – AU$8.95 – in participating bookstores). Additionally, for a limited time, each selected book comes with a free novel by Australian author Peter FitzSimons.

The 2007 Books Alive Great Read Guide describes SilverFin as a “sensational, action-packed adventure” that will leave readers “shaken and stirred” (the SilverFin write-up can be found on page 45 of the guide).

An independent panel of book industry experts from right across Australia carefully selected each of the books from a range of genres and styles, including crime, travel, history, thrillers, biographies and teen fiction, where SilverFin placed.

Meanwhile, The Young Bond Dossier today carries photos from arguably Charlie Higson’s most arduous mission yet – personally signing the 1,500 copies of his new book, Hurricane Gold, which will be sold exclusively through independent booksellers throughout the United Kingdom.

Each signed copy of the novel is also numbered – so yes, there is an elusive “007” copy out there somewhere. White gloves were used by all involved, including Higson himself, to avoid fingerprints winding up on the golden novels, which are due in-store on 6 September.

Keep watching CBn for all the latest Young James Bond news.

Pre-order the UK hardback edition of Hurricane Gold from Amazon.co.uk.

Pre-order the UK audiobook edition of Hurricane Gold from Amazon.co.uk.

Discuss this news article in this thread on the CBn Forums, the largest James Bond 007 forum on the Internet.

Martin Campbell On The 'Casino Royale' DVD And Turning Down 'Bond 22'

In an interview posted at Hollywood In Hi-Def, director Martin Campbell sat down to discuss the success of Casino Royale on DVD (and its eventual special edition release with even more extras), how James Bond and Blu-ray work well together and turning down Bond 22.

‘I was impressed. It does look phenomenal; you can’t get away from it. It’s simply staggering, the difference,’ said Campbell of the Blu-ray disc of Casino Royale–which was the first high-def title to sell more than 100,000 copies.

‘I watched the whole film from top to bottom, which is unusual; I don’t normally. But I watched it because the quality was so terrific. I think that just about every scene transfers wonderfully. Even on the dullest scenes, you know, like office scenes, which are normally pretty boring to actually shoot and really they are functional scenes. They stand out incredibly. You see detail.’

When asked if he had worked on any of the special features that will accompany the eventual special (ultimate perhaps?) release of Casino Royale, he said: ‘All I’ve done is watch the movie. I’m fascinated by the quality of it. But that’s about as far as I’ve gone. I’m sort of busy at the moment looking at other projects.’

‘Certainly I have to OK the scenes that have been cut out. That’s good. I think people are fascinated by scenes that are cut out and I put most of them back into the disc. I hope there’s going to be an extended documentary because they (documentary film crews) are with us all the time, doing interviews all the way through. The documentary on the existing movie (DVD/Blu-ray discs) is just a little short. I just wanted more. Whether anybody else wants more, I don’t know. It fell a little short for me. They are there every day so it could just be a little longer. Even the Goldeneye, I think, one was more detailed and longer. So I hope they are going to extend that.’

Campbell also commented on the marketing strategies to release a bare-bones DVD and then eventually follow up with a more substantial release. ‘Bond is peculiar in that they release every other title, just before Casino Royale came out, they released, in England anyway, a sort of silver suitcase, with all the digitally remastered Bond films. They all looked fantastic, by the way. So they have editions and then special editions and special editions of the special editions. So they milk them, and why shouldn’t they? People buy them and that’s great.’

And what about Daniel Craig’s return as 007? ‘I feel that after the Pierce Brosnan one, I sort of said that was it, I didn’t want to do anymore. Then, because it his was based on the book, this one, and it meant there was a change of tone, then I did this one. But, really, the problem is, you sort of then start to repeat yourself. The character’s pretty much set and you just feel you’re sort of doing the same thing again, only different, you know. How Sam Raimi does Spider-Man is beyond me.’

Be sure to head over to Hollywood In Hi-Def for the complete interview.

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

Related Casino Royale Articles

Young Bond Goes 'Gold' In London

Subscribers to the Young Bond Danger Society newsletter will find the latest issue in their inboxes today, with details about the launch of Charlie Higson’s new book, Hurricane Gold.

To celebrate the novel’s release on 6 September, Waterstone’s Piccadilly are throwing an all-gold party featuring themed activities, gold food and a reading by Charlie Higson. A public signing of the new book – gold-themed itself, with a gold cover featuring debossed lettering and gilt-edged pages – will follow the event. Attendees are even encouraged to wear gold to the event.

The party kicks off at 6:30pm on 6 September and is a ticketed event. However, tickets are free and can be reserved by phoning Waterstone’s on 020 7851 2400. The Danger Society Newsletter also notes that it may be possible, though not guaranteed, to reserve signed copies of the book if you are unable to attend. Contact Waterstone’s for details.

Earlier this year, Waterstone’s Piccadilly hosted the launch party and title announcement for Higson’s third Young Bond novel, Double Or Die.

You can subscribe to the Danger Society Newsletter at the official Young Bond website. Keep watching CBn for all the latest Young Bond news leading up to the release of Hurricane Gold.

Order the UK hardback edition of Hurricane Gold from Amazon.co.uk.

Order the UK audiobook edition of Hurricane Gold from Amazon.co.uk.

Discuss the UK audiobook of ‘Hurricane Gold’ in this thread on the CBn Forums, the largest James Bond 007 forum on the Internet.

SPOILERS: 'Bond 22' Climactic Scenes Revealed?

Times Online today carries a lengthy story – and a huge scoop, if true – about Bond 22‘s climactic scenes.

The site relays a report from Italian newspaper Il Giornale, which claims the next James Bond outing will reach its climax during the centuries-old bareback horse race of Palio in the Tuscan town of Siena. Bond 22‘s climax reportedly sees 007 pursuing the film’s villain down narrow cobbled streets, then across the town’s rooftops and through its medievil aqueducts as the horses charge around the Piazza del Campo.

Palio di Siena is held twice yearly, once on 2 July and the second time on 16 August – this coming Thursday. Some filming for Bond 22 will reportedly take place on Thursday, however shots involving actors will be inserted later. A total of 14 cameras – but no helicopters – will be placed strategically around the arena.

The town council reportedly approved the request to film there, so long as the filmmakers agreed to “strict conditions” that they treat the traditional race with “full respect”. However, animal rights activists are protesting the inclusion of the race – in which some 50 horses have been killed, and many others injured, since 1970 – in the film. Accordingly, the filmmakers are banned from showing any violence “involving either people or animals” that may take place during filming.

Eleonora di Giuseppe of the Italian Federation of Equestrian Sport told Times Online that the “horses [in the Palio] are exposed to unacceptable risks” and that featuring them in a James Bond film would only serve to glamorise the event.

The race is a large part of Sienese culture and dates back to the 11th century.

To read the whole article, visit Times Online. For more information about the Palio di Siena, please visit the authorised Il Palio website.

Don’t forget to keep watching CBn for all the latest news on Bond 22.