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  1. Eva Green Discusses Her BAFTA Nomination, Bond, And More

    By Devin Zydel on 2007-02-10

    In a new interview with Empire, Casino Royale‘s Eva Green discusses her BAFTA Orange Rising Star award nomination, playing Vesper Lynd, the future, and more.

    Saying she was ‘thrilled’ to be nominated, Green said of awards in general: ‘I think it’s very important to recognize talent in all facets of filmmaking. Making a movie is such a lengthy and intense experience, so it’s wonderful to honour actors, directors, producers and all crew members who put so much hard work and passion into a project.’

    When asked about taking on the role of Vesper, she said: ‘Initially, when I heard that they were interested, I was a little cautious. I had not read the script and the words “Bond Girl” were swimming in my conscience. My first role was with Bertolucci and I’m inclined towards independent movies, so I worried about the stigma of the female role in a Bond movie, and thought that I would just be pouting and wearing a bikini. However, when I read the script, I fell in love with the role and also the way that Bond was portrayed. I saw a whole new Bond, and a role that was simply magnificent. So many layers–a character that had a strong facade but that was very vulnerable at the same time.’

    ‘It was a really well-written role on the page,’ said Green when asked if the character was strong from the beginning or if she had to bring out alot of the strength seen in the finished film. ‘I worked a lot with Lindy Hemming (the costume designer) to make her feminine but strong. I really didn’t want the character to be just one big cleavage and so we worked on finding sharply tailored suits. I wanted to make her like Ingrid Bergman in the 1940’s–strong and witty but also fragile and warm. Vesper Lynd was the first female role that Ian Fleming ever wrote so it was a great responsibility to make her fabulous–I just hope I pulled it off!’

    Green’s next role is Serafina in The Golden Compass. Speaking about the film, she said: ‘I read the Philip Pullman trilogy and really liked the role–she’s strong and hundreds of years old. She is a witch who is a guide, philosopher and friend to Lyra. It is quite a mysterious role which I found attractive.’

    Click here to read the entire interview with Eva Green.

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

    Related Casino Royale Articles

  2. First Edition Of Ian Fleming's Casino Royale Expected To Sell For $20,000

    By Devin Zydel on 2007-02-09

    According to a report from The Washington Post, a UK first edition Jonathan Cape hardback of Ian Fleming’s Casino Royale is expected to sell for $20,000 at an auction next week.

    Casino Royale First Edition

    Casino Royale First Edition

    The sale will take place at the London-based Bloomsbury Auctions next week. Fleming expert Roddy Newlands said interest in buying first editions of the original James Bond novels has shot up as a result of Daniel Craig’s debut 007 film. ‘Casino Royale is an exceptionally important book because it is the first.’

    This particular 1953 copy could reach up to $30,000 if it were not for the previous owner’s name and the bookseller’s stamp inside the front cover. In February 2005, another copy sold for over $40,000 at a Bloomsbury Auctions sale.

    Other Fleming Bond novels to feature at the sale include Moonraker, From Russia With Love, The Spy Who Loved Me and The Man With The Golden Gun. Additionally, a copy of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service signed by George Lazenby will also be included.

    Keep watching CBn for all the latest James Bond news.

  3. 'With a delivery like a brick through a plate glass window.'

    By Evan Willnow on 2007-02-09

    Evan Willnow

    It was Major Boothroyd who gave James Bond his trademark PPK before Bond set off to face to villainous Dr. No, For builders of LEGO® James Bond models like myself, we finally have an armourer of our own to similarly equip our James Bond LEGO mini-figures.

    PPK Spy Pistol

    PPK Spy Pistol

    PPK Tactical Spy Pistol

    PPK Tactical Spy Pistol

    That armourer is Will Chapman, owner and operator of BrickArms, a small toy company specializing in original, custom designed LEGO-compatible weapons and custom minifigs.

    BrickArms’ big news this week is the addition of their take on the famous Walther PPK. Or more accurately their two takes on the PPK, as BrickArms now offer the PPK Spy Pistol and the PPK Tactical Spy Pistol which is the regular PPK with a silencer. Both are the perfect weapons for the well-armed plastic British secret agent.

    BrickArms recently sent us one of the prototypes of the PPK Tactical Spy Pistol for our opinion of it.

    And my opinion: Wow! It looks fantastic. The PPK shows Mr Chapman’s knack for putting just the right amount of detail into his weapons to make them look just as if LEGO had made them.

    The PPK is not the only weapon BrickArms offers that would fit in to a LEGO James Bond builder’s arsenal. Other weapons include: SW500 Magnum Revolver for those San Monique models, the PSG1 Sniper Rifle that’s sure to scare the living daylights out of any one, the M47 Shotgun (rock salt not included), and the M1911 .45 cal Handgun which is handy for keeping those French free-runners from escaping the embassy. Just to name a few of their 20 or so LEGO-compatible weapons.

    SW500 Magnum Revolver

    M1911 .45 cal Handgun

    PSG1 Sniper Rifle

    MP5 9mm SMG

    RPG Rocket Grenade

    M23 Pistol

    The well armed plastic spy

    To top it all, BrickArms will even sell you the Spy. BrickArms’ custom Spy figure includes: Black Minifig with custom printed dinner jacket decal with color and metallics inks, the black BrickArms PPK Tactical Spy Pistol (the one with the silencer), a brown briefcase with hidden modified BrickArms Uzi and spare magazine.

    Okay, you may ask yourself as a LEGO snob and a bit of a purist, (never shall that other block company’s merchandise ever cross my door) how can I look you in the eyes and recommend using a custom part? For me, it all comes down to the goals of my models. My goal is to make James Bond models how LEGO would make them had they the rights. If LEGO did have licencing rights for the James Bond series, I am sure Bond‘s gun would look very much like that of BrickArms.

    That is better than good enough for me.
     

    Each of of BrickArms weapons are $1US each. The Spy is priced at $20US. See BrickArms website for more details on pricing and shipping. They do ship nearly worldwide.

  4. Charlie Higson Discusses James Bond On Celebrity Mastermind

    By Devin Zydel on 2007-02-08

    According to the Young Bond Dossier, Charlie Higson will be answering questions about James Bond on an episode of Celebrity Mastermind. Note that this is a repeat episode. It originally aired before Higson was announced as the Young Bond author.

    To be broadcast on BBC Prime, viewers can catch the show at 11:00 on Saturday, 10 February 2007. ‘BBC Prime is an English language subscription channel, available via cable and satellite to Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. It is not available in the UK or U.S.’

    Keep watching CBn for all the latest Double or Die and Young Bond news.

    Order the UK paperback edition of Double or Die from Amazon.co.uk

    Order the UK audiobook edition of Double or Die from Amazon.co.uk

  5. Four Sean Connery James Bond Films Hit The Big Screen In March

    By Devin Zydel on 2007-02-08

    James Bond fans in Pennsylvania will have the chance to see Sean Connery as 007 four different times in March.

    The Colonial Theatre will be featuring a ‘Sean Connery as James Bond’ theatre event with four different Bond films; one on each Sunday throughout the month. The schedule includes:

    • From Russia With Love – 4 March
    • Goldfinger – 11 March
    • Thunderball – 18 March
    • Never Say Never Again – 25 March (12pm)

    Tikcket prices include: $7.00 Regular Admission / $6.00 Seniors & Students with ID / $4.00 Members and Children under 13. The movie information line is 610-917-0223. The Colonial Theatre is located at 227 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, PA 19460.

    Keep watching CBn for all the latest James Bond news.

  6. Casino Royale DVD & Exclusive Poker Case Set

    By Devin Zydel on 2007-02-08

    While the Region 1 and 2 DVD releases of Casino Royale are scheduled for mid-March, James Bond fans in Australia are going to have to wait a little while longer–4 April to be exact.

    However, EzyDVD has revealed details on a limited edition exclusive Casino Royale DVD and poker case set, which includes:

    • 1 x Sleek Aluminium Poker Case
    • 2 x Deck of Cards
    • 5 x Dice
    • 1 x Dealer Button
    • 100 x Poker Chips, and
    • 1 x Double Disc Collector’s Edition Casino Royale DVD contained within.

    Click here for pictures and pre-ordering details on the Casino Royale DVD & exclusive poker case set.

    Keep watching CBn for all the latest Casino Royale DVD coverage and James Bond news.

  7. Individual James Bond 007 'Ultimate Edition' DVDs Released In US

    By Devin Zydel on 2007-02-07

    The first wave of the ‘Ultimate Edition’ James Bond DVDs–which are being released individually (as single-disc editions; no special features are included)–are now available to order in the US. They are featured in normal DVD case packaging, and not the slimcases contained in the current boxed sets.

    The cover artwork on the individual DVDs remains the same as that used for the four US boxed set collections.

    Retailing for $14.98 each, the first wave of the Bond DVD releases are now available to order from amazon.com: Goldfinger, Thunderball, The Spy Who Loved Me, For Your Eyes Only, Licence To Kill, and GoldenEye.

    Dr. No …… TBA
    From Russia With Love …… TBA
    Goldfinger …… Amazon.com
    Thunderball …… Amazon.com
    You Only Live Twice …… TBA
    On Her Majesty’s Secret Service …… TBA
    Diamonds Are Forever …… TBA
    Live And Let Die …… TBA
    The Man With The Golden Gun …… TBA
    The Spy Who Loved Me …… Amazon.com
    Moonraker …… TBA
    For Your Eyes Only …… Amazon.com
    Octopussy …… TBA
    A View To A Kill …… TBA
    The Living Daylights …… TBA
    Licence To Kill …… Amazon.com
    GoldenEye …… Amazon.com
    Tomorrow Never Dies …… TBA
    The World Is Not Enough …… TBA
    Die Another Day …… TBA

    Click here for CommanderBond.net’s full round-up of all the latest James Bond 007 ‘Ultimate Edition’ DVD news: front and back cover art, box cover art, worldwide release dates, menu and screen caps, new certificates, ordering details, special features, technical specs, and more.

    Keep watching CBn for all the latest Casino Royale and James Bond news.

  8. Eva Green To Present At Academy Awards Ceremony

    By Devin Zydel on 2007-02-07

    Casino Royale‘s Eva Green

    According to the Hollywood News, Casino Royale‘s Eva Green will be presenting at the 79th Annual Academy Awards ceremony, which takes place on Sunday, 25 February 2007.

    As previously reported on CBn, Daniel Craig will also be one of the presenters at the event. According to this earlier report, ‘executives from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences observed how well Casino Royale went down with audiences and critics.’

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

    Related Casino Royale Articles

  9. Casino Royale Once Again Continues Success At International Box Office

    By Devin Zydel on 2007-02-07

    According to The Hollywood Reporter, the international box office success for Casino Royale continued throughout the first February weekend.

    Daniel Craig’s debut James Bond film took in an estimated $6 million from 1,780 screens in 44 markets, lifting its international total to $416.8 million ($582.8 million worldwide). It took the fourth place overall for the weekend.

    Of that total, China contributed an estimated $4 million for the weekend ($6.9 million since its opening on 30 January) from 468 screens. Sony is expecting Casino Royale to set a new overall record for a non-Chinese film in the country.

    The film’s international total of $416.8 million makes it the 22nd highest grossing film internationally of all time. It is expected to pass by Spider-man 2‘s international total of $417.9 million sometime this week (if not already).

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

    Related Casino Royale Articles

  10. Craig Scoops Evening Standard British Film Award

    By Matt Weston on 2007-02-05

    Daniel Craig has scooped his first major acting award after winning Best Actor for the part of James Bond in Casino Royale at the Evening Standard British Film Awards. The news comes just one week out from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards, in which Craig is the first 007 be nominated for the prestigious award.

    Along with the BAFTAS and the British Independent Film Awards, the Evening Standard British Film Awards are one of the most important events in the British film calendar. The winners of the awards are selected by a jury of five film critics from a list of all British-made films released in the preceding year.

    At the ceremony, Craig said he was delighted at winning the award. “This is tremendous. It makes you think that the success of the film might not be a fluke. We wanted to make an exciting and sexy Bond and tell a good yarn at the same time.”

    Craig added, “I don’t know if I”m ever entirely happy with my performances but I’m happy with the way this turned out.”

    The actor is looking forward to topping Casino Royale”s success with the release of next year”s sequel. “We made the first one good and we”ve got to make the second one even better.”

    Fellow Bond star Dame Judi Dench scooped the award for Best Actress for her role in Notes on a Scandal, whilst director Stephen Frears, who was previously attached to the ill-fated Jinx spin-off, won the Alexander Walker special award for his contribution to British film.

    Eyes now turn to Sunday’s BAFTA Award ceremony, in which Craig is up against the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio and Forest Whitaker in the Best Actor stakes.