007 Deserts The Czech Republic

Variety today reports that Eon Productions have informed Prague’s Barrandov Studios – base of last year’s hit, Casino Royale – that their services would not be required for the next James Bond film. Eon cited the lack of financial incentives in the Czech Republic as the reason for not returning.

Instead, 007 will return to Pinewood Studios, England, where many a Bond film has been shot.

Vladimir Kuba, head of Barrandov Studios, was told by Eon that while Prague “was wonderful”, the decision not to film there was a financial one. Kuba said, “We received it from the Bond producers in black and white. They reportedly regret it … but the budget decided it.”

The decision comes as a blow to the Czech film industry, which is beginning to somewhat flag. As the government seems increasingly unwilling to fund homegrown films, foreign production spending has dropped by over one-third since 2003. The James Bond franchise is the second to pull out of Barrandov Studios in recent times; producers of Hellboy 2: The Golden Army decided not to re-use the studios, which hosted production of the series’ first picture.

Eon Productions declined to comment to Variety on which other shooting locations would feature in Bond 22.

"I've just given Fleming's Bond another chapter."

The announcement of Sebastian Faulks as the writer of a new James Bond novel to mark the centenary of Ian Fleming’s birth has received an incredible amount of publicity, including news items, features and interviews – it even made the front page of UK newspaper The Guardian.

This flurry of media activity continues with a new interview with EW.com’s Popwatch blog. Whilst Faulks keeps schtum about the novel’s plot (“If I tell you, I will be strapped to a chair naked and whipped with knotted rope”), he indicates his new Bond novel, Devil May Care, will be firmly rooted in 007’s literary incarnation, and not based on his filmic counterpart.

“Mine is the book Bond, and [my book] is set in 1967. Which is just after the last [Fleming] book. So we pick him up as Ian Fleming’s Bond, and not Roger Moore’s Bond, or Pierce Brosnan’s, or Daniel Craig’s. I’ve just given Fleming’s Bond another chapter.”

“The idea was that it should read as though Fleming had written it. On the other hand, I didn’t want to write an exact imitation, because obviously with James Bond, there’s a danger of parody and self-parody.”

In line with this statement, Faulks confessed not to have read any of the other continuation novelists. “My commission was from the [Fleming] family, and they strongly believe in Ian Fleming’s value as a writer. And that’s one of the reasons they went to someone like me rather than a genre thriller [writer]. Therefore, I felt that all I wanted to do was immerse myself in Fleming and not be distracted by anyone else’s take on the character.”

Inevitably, the possibility of Devil May Care being adapted for the big screen arose. Said Faulks, “Well, it’s a possibility. It’s been read by [producers] Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson. They were both very positive about the book. But I’m sure that their choice of story for the next movie will be dictated by hundreds of other considerations to do with Hollywood and franchise and marketing. I’d be delighted if it works.”

Of Daniel Craig’s debut outing, Casino Royale, Faulks told EW.com, “Oh, it was powerful, well-made, and exciting. The girl was great, too. [Craig] was certainly a lot tougher than Roger Moore, who was very soft.”

“And Fleming does stress the cruelty of Bond, particularly in the early novels. I think that was one of the things that made the creation appealing and rather shocking when it first came out. But if you actually analyze the way that Bond behaves, both towards his enemies, and towards women, it isn’t actually a sadistic or unnecessarily cruel. He only kills in self-defense, or if absolutely necessary for his mission. Although he is an incurable womanzier, he doesn’t actually treat the women badly. In fact, he frequently falls in love with them and is jilted by them sometimes.”

For the full interview, head on over to EW.com’s Popwatch blog. Stay tuned to CBn for all news on the literary 007.

Discuss this news in this thread on the CBn Forums, the largest James Bond forum on the Internet.
With thanks to Forum member “Gobi-1” for the tip-off.

Related Articles

• Paris Revealed As A Location In ‘Devil May Care’
• Sebastian Faulks Doesn’t Know What He’s In For, Says Charlie Higson
• Penguin Planning A Celebration Of 007 In 2008
• Sebastian Faulks To Continue James Bond Where Ian Fleming Left Off
• James Bond To Return In ‘Devil May Care’ By Sebastian Faulks
• Why Lee Child Turned Down The Centenary Novel
• Ken Follett Off The Cards For Centenary Novel
• Well-Known Writer Selected For Centenary Novel
• Higson Comments on Adult Bond Novel
• New Adult James Bond Novel Coming in 2008

Sony Eyes 2010 Release Date For 'Bond 23'

Trade paper Variety today carries a story on studios’ increasing desire to plan ahead for upcoming releases, briefly mentioning Sony’s plans for the James Bond franchise.

Whilst November 2008 sees Daniel Craig return to the role of Agent 007, the studio is reportedly eying a 2010 release date for the following Bond pic, the 23rd in the enduring spy series.

Newly-announced Bond 22 director Marc Forster and writer Paul Haggis are currently hard at work on bringing 007’s next outing to the screen. However, increasing pressures on studios – particularly in the area of marketing and merchandising – mean they have to plan further ahead in their schedules.

Stay tuned to CBn for all the latest news on Bond 22, 23 and beyond.

Looking Back: 'High Time To Kill'

The CBn ‘Looking Back…’ series now moves onto Raymond Benson’s third original James Bond novel, High Time To Kill. First released in May of 1999, this followed Benson’s January 1999 short story, Midsummer Night’s Doom. CBn takes an indepth look back at High Time To Kill. Included are publication details, trivia notes about the book and CBn Forum fan reactions…

Raymond Benson’s new James Bond story is his most thrilling adventure yet, as he pursues a ruthless criminal conspiracy to a breathtaking showdown eight thousand metres above the world on a peak in the Himalayas.

The Union is a criminal organisation with tentacles throughout the world–specializing in military espionage, theft, intimidation and murder. After one of its agents assassinates Bond’s friend and host at a glittering dinner in the Bahamas, the Union becomes 007’s priority target.

When information vital to Britain’s national security is stolen, both M and Bond suspect that the Union is behind it. The trail leads Bond from one of England’s most exclusive golf clubs to the cosmopolitan city of Brussels and finally to an expedition up the icy heights of the legendary mountain Kangchenjunga, the third tallest peak in the world. Led by the abrasive mountaineer Group Captain Roland Marquis, aided by the expedition’s sexy and beautiful doctor Hope Kendall and opposed by an unknown traitor working out of SIS itself, Bond must pit his strength and guile against two deadly adversaries–the forces of nature at high altitude and the most resourceful criminal minds he has ever encountered.

UK First Edition Hodder & Stoughton Hardback

Trivia

1999 was a busy year for Raymond Benson: his second James Bond short story, Midsummer Night’s Doom, was released in January, his third James Bond continuation novel, High Time To Kill, was released, and he wrote his second 007 novelization, The World Is Not Enough followed by his third Bond short story, Live At Five.

High Time To Kill is the first book of the Union trilogy–the other two being Doubleshot and Never Dream Of Dying.

‘A Better Way To Die’ was Raymond Benson’s working title for the novel, but marketing led to a last minute change.

This was the first Raymond Benson novel to be published in a Large Print edition (in both the UK and the US). The UK edition can be found with a dustjacket that features different cover artwork compared to the US edition.

While being promoted to the Captain status in later John Gardner James Bond novels, here 007 is a Commander once again.

This is by far Benson’s best Bond novel. Not only does he present a realistic plot, but he gives 007 interesting people to interact with… As in the original books, Benson makes use of the “Fleming Sweep,” which whisks the reader from one short chapter to another… This is a thoroughly modern espionage novel that also gives insights into James Bond’s past… Benson’s writing fits precisely into the Bond tradition of escapist fiction… As Ian Fleming was fond of saying about his own books, High Time To Kill is the perfect book to read on an airplane or waiting for a train. It is light fare that goes down quickly and is not meant for serious thought-just plain summer fun. Nobody does it better.

Oregon Daily Emerald

Raymond Benson is no Ian Fleming, but he captures the spirit and pluck of Fleming’s 007 in this high-flying spy thriller… a perfect read for a free afternoon.

Chicago Tribune

Release Timeline

• 1999: 1st British Hodder & Stoughton Hardback Edition
• 1999: 1st American Putnam Hardback Edition
• 1999: 1st British Coronet Paperback Edition
• 2000: 1st American Jove Paperback Edition
• 2000: 1st British Windsor/Chivers Press/Thorndike Large Print Hardback Edition
• 2000: 1st American Windsor/Chivers Press/Thorndike Large Print Hardback Edition

Forum Reviews

I love High Time To Kill. Not only is it neck and neck with Never Dream of Dying as my favorite Benson book, but it’s one of my favorite Bond books period.

CBn Forum member zencat

I finished High Time To Kill this morning after a marathon read–I couldn’t put the book down! An absolutely great book. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Vividly written in a Flemingesque style. Good characters. Plenty of stuff going on. It started strongly but when the climb started it shifted into an even higher gear! Liked the humour too. Great ending a la Casino Royale. I would agree with zencat–it is not just a great Benson Bond but a great Bond novel period. I mean it is better than the likes of The Spy Who Loved Me or The Man with the Golden Gun novels in my opinion. Benson really knows the character inside out too. What a great film it would make. It is definitely on par with if not better than The Man With The Red Tattoo.

CBn Forum member manfromjapan

As for High Time To Kill, I find it one of the worst of the Bond novels. There are plenty that are much, much better, including a couple by Benson (Zero Minus Ten and The Man with the Red Tattoo, for instance). I wouldn’t advise anyone just starting out on the literary Bond to make a beeline for High Time To Kill, but that’s just me, and to each his own.

CBn Forum member Loomis

Yep, it’s a good one all right. As far as the Benson novels go it’s second behind The Man with the Red Tattoo.

CBn Forum member Genrewriter

Just finished this one, and I only had one problem with it… I’ve got to stop reading the back of the book, before I read the book itself, because this one held no suspense for me. I thought the idea was great; important military secret on a microdot, stolen, crashes on top of a really big mountain, James Bond and some bad guys have to climb the mountain to get it. Problem is, I knew that from reading the back of the book.

SPOILER – HIGHLIGHT TO READ: Bond gets the microdot, the bad guy dies. OK, we all knew that was gonna happen also..

Honestly, it was pretty good, I liked Marquis’ character and most of the villains. The story was well told, though I didn’t think we needed the double-cross by Paul Baack at the end. Again, we’re not talking about a story where the good guy can die at the end, so that kind of thing, with two pages remaining, doesn’t thrill me. But I’m just nitpicking.

CBn Forum member Jriv71

High Time To Kill is my favorite of Raymond Benson’s novels. I couldn’t put it down. Everything clicked in it. He builds the suspense well. It’s a great plot and a great read. Dare I say that High Time To Kill is Benson’s “all time high?”

CBn Forum member Double-Oh Agent

High Time To Kill is my favourite Raymond Benson.

Apart from the simple, effective plot, Raymond’s writing, particularly in the mountain climbing sequences, is his best. As usual with Benson, it is well plotted and worked out. High time to read Benson.

CBn Forum member ACE

'The Moneypenny Diaries: Secret Servant' UK Paperback Released

Even though the book has been available online at amazon.co.uk for roughly one week, the UK paperback edition of The Moneypenny Diaries: Secret Servant has been officialy released today.

Literary James Bond fans can order the second novel in Samantha Weinberg’s (writing as Kate Westbrook) trilogy featuring the adventures of Jane Moneypenny at a discounted price of £3.99 at amazon.co.uk.

The official blurb runs:

From saving spies to private passions, this book covers the secret adventures of James Bond’s right-hand woman. Jane Moneypenny may project a cool, calm and collected image but her secret diaries reveal a rather different story. In the grip of an uncertain love affair and haunted by a dark family secret, the last thing she needs is a crisis at work.

But the Secret Intelligence Service is in chaos. One senior officer is on trial for treason, another has defected to Moscow and her beloved James Bond has been brainwashed by the KGB. Only a woman’s touch can save them.

Moneypenny soon finds herself embroiled in a highly-charged adventure infused with the glamour of the Cold War espionage game. Alone on a dangerous Russian mission she turns, with breathless intimacy, to writing a truly explosive private diary.

The Moneypenny Diaries: Secret Servant

The third novel in the trilogy, Final Fling, is due for release in summer 2008.

Stay tuned to CBn for all the latest news on the literary 007 releases.

Order the UK hardback edition of The Moneypenny Diaries: Secret Servant

Order the UK paperback edition of The Moneypenny Diaries: Secret Servant

Order the UK hardback edition of The Moneypenny Diaries: Guardian Angel

Order the UK paperback edition of The Moneypenny Diaries: Guardian Angel

Discuss this ‘Moneypenny Diaries’ news in this thread on the CBn Forums, the largest James Bond 007 forum on the internet.

Related Articles

• The Samantha Weinberg CBn Interview
• CBn Reviews ‘The Moneypenny Diaries’ #2: Secret Servant

'Pinewood Studios: 70 Years of Fabulous Film Making'

Pinewood Studios: 70 Years of Fabulous Film Making by Morris Bright is now available to purchase online at the offical Pinewood Studios website.

The exclusive limited edition book contains ‘500 photographs accompanied by a vivid commentary and special features that showcase Pinewood Studios seven decades of filmmaking.’ Also included is a foreword by Dame Judi Dench and an introduction by Tim Burton.

The official blurb:

Pinewood Studios: 70 Years of Fabulous Film Making LIMITED EDITION

Foreword by Dame Judi Dench
Introduction by Tim Burton

The name Pinewood Studios is synonymous with everything that is great in British and international filmmaking. Here were filmed the great classic dramas of the 30s, such as Great Expectations, as well as the latest Bond adventure, Casino Royale. To celebrate its incredible legacy, with its starry array of the best-known actors, directors and behind-the-scenes professionals, Carroll & Brown are publishing a beautiful volume containing over 500 photographs accompanied by a vivid commentary and special features that showcase Pinewood Studios seven decades of filmmaking.

• Limited Edition – Only copies sold by Pinewood Studios are embossed with the Pinewood Studios Group logo.
• Never seen before images from the Pinewood studios archive.

Please note that this product is only available for UK orders.

Pinewood Studios: 70 Years of Fabulous Film Making is available for £23.99 per copy and can be purchased online at the Pinewood Studios website.

Stay tuned to CBn for all the latest James Bond 007 news.

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

First Look At Posters For Daniel Craig's 'The Golden Compass'

Cinematical has scored the first look at the posters for The Golden Compass, starring Daniel Craig and Nicole Kidman.

Craig plays the role of Lord Asriel in the film, which also stars Sam Elliott, Dakota Blue Richards and Casino Royale‘s Eva Green. Directed by Chris Weitz, the film is an adaptation of Philip Pullman’s novel, the first book in a trilogy called His Dark Materials.

At a press conference at the Cannes Film Festival in May, Craig said of the series: ‘Like with (J.R.R.) Tolkien, there’s something about them that’s beyond the fantasy. It’s not just about witches and elves. It’s a story about true feelings.’

Watch the trailer for The Golden Compass at Yahoo Movies. The film is due for release on 7 December 2007.

Keep watching CBn for all the latest James Bond news.

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

Related Articles

• Daniel Craig Attends ‘The Golden Compass’ Press Conference At Cannes
• First Look At ‘The Golden Compass’ Featuring Daniel Craig And Eva Green
• Daniel Craig Discusses The Importance Of Non-Bond Roles

Penguin 007 Website For Ian Fleming's Centenary Now Online

CBn reported yesterday that Penguin Books had big plans for James Bond in 2008 as part of the celebration of Ian Fleming’s centenary and the new novel, Devil May Care, by Sebastian Faulks.

Their new website, www.penguin007.com, is now up and running. Literary 007 fans can register for email updates while a clock counts down to 28 May 2008 (Fleming’s centenary and the release date of the novel).

As earlier reported, Penguin, the UK publisher of all 14 of Fleming’s Bond novels, the Charlie Higson Young Bond series, as well as Fleming’s children’s classic Chitty Chitty Bang Bang will be creating a special James Bond imprint, Penguin 007–within which Devil May Care will be published.

The original press release from July 2006 when Ian Fleming Publications had secured Faulks as the author noted that ‘2008 will be dedicated to a broad range of events and publications designed to celebrate the life of this literary legend and to examine [Fleming’s] legacy. The programme includes a major exhibition featuring never-before-seen material. Further events will reflect Fleming’s passions and experiences in the worlds of art, literature, journalism, sport, motoring and travel.’

Keep watching CBn for all the latest news and details on Devil May Care, the Ian Fleming centenary novel by Sebastian Faulks.

Discuss this centenary novel news in this thread on the CBn Forums, the largest James Bond forum on the internet.

Related Articles

• Paris Revealed As A Location In ‘Devil May Care’
• Sebastian Faulks Doesn’t Know What He’s In For, Says Charlie Higson
• Penguin Planning A Celebration Of 007 In 2008
• Sebastian Faulks To Continue James Bond Where Ian Fleming Left Off
• James Bond To Return In ‘Devil May Care’ By Sebastian Faulks
• Why Lee Child Turned Down The Centenary Novel
• Ken Follett Off The Cards For Centenary Novel
• Well-Known Writer Selected For Centenary Novel
• Higson Comments on Adult Bond Novel
• New Adult James Bond Novel Coming in 2008

Paris Revealed As A Location In 'Devil May Care'

Not 24 hours after the announcement that Sebastian Faulks is the author of the Ian Fleming centenary novel, Devil May Care, and already details are coming in regarding the book.

In a press release by Doubleday, the US publisher of the novel, the president of the company, Stephen Rubin, revealed that Paris, France is one of the key locations in Devil May Care.

‘Three pages into Devil May Care and you are immediately thrown back into the world of James Bond and all those wonderful characters we have come to love,’ he said. ‘Devil May Care is pure Fleming channeled by Faulks–a madcap adventure, a romantic romp and a book you can devour in one sitting. It all starts in Paris, and no one alive writes better about Paris than Sebastian Faulks.’

According to the press release, Devil May Care will be released in the US on the same date as the UK hardback edition–28 May 2008. An Anchor paperback edition will follow in 2009.

Keep watching CBn for all the latest news and details on Devil May Care, the Ian Fleming centenary novel by Sebastian Faulks.

Discuss this centenary novel news in this thread on the CBn Forums, the largest James Bond forum on the internet. Thanks to The Young Bond Dossier.

Related Articles

• Sebastian Faulks Doesn’t Know What He’s In For, Says Charlie Higson
• Penguin Planning A Celebration Of 007 In 2008
• Sebastian Faulks To Continue James Bond Where Ian Fleming Left Off
• James Bond To Return In ‘Devil May Care’ By Sebastian Faulks
• Why Lee Child Turned Down The Centenary Novel
• Ken Follett Off The Cards For Centenary Novel
• Well-Known Writer Selected For Centenary Novel
• Higson Comments on Adult Bond Novel
• New Adult James Bond Novel Coming in 2008

Sebastian Faulks Doesn't Know What He's In For, Says Charlie Higson

The Young Bond Dossier reports that Young Bond author Charlie Higson has commented on the story that Sebastian Faulks is the new author of the centenary novel, Devil May Care.

‘I think Sebastian probably doesn’t know what he has let himself in for,’ Higson said to The Guardian. ‘He will find himself completely immersed in the world of Bond and for ever after will be pursued as a Bond author.’

‘He will now find himself getting requests to do photo shoots wearing the odd tuxedo, and I imagine he’ll say no, but after a while you sort of give in. That’s the thing about James Bond. It just turns everyone into kids.’

Devil May Care is due for release on 28 May 2008. It will be published by Penguin Books in the UK and Doubleday in the US.

Keep watching CBn for all the latest news and details on Devil May Care, the Ian Fleming centenary novel by Sebastian Faulks.

Discuss this centenary novel news in this thread on the CBn Forums, the largest James Bond forum on the internet. Thanks to CBn Forum member ‘zencat.’

Related Articles

• Penguin Planning A Celebration Of 007 In 2008
• Sebastian Faulks To Continue James Bond Where Ian Fleming Left Off
• James Bond To Return In ‘Devil May Care’ By Sebastian Faulks
• Why Lee Child Turned Down The Centenary Novel
• Ken Follett Off The Cards For Centenary Novel
• Well-Known Writer Selected For Centenary Novel
• Higson Comments on Adult Bond Novel
• New Adult James Bond Novel Coming in 2008