By Devin Zydel on 2006-07-31
Welcome to the July 2006 CBn Dossier, a wrap-up of all the James Bond 007 news and rumours for the month. In this month’s column, we’ll be examining the constant news coming in on 2006’s Casino Royale, Bond 22, the many upcoming literary James Bond releases including Charlie Higson’s Young Bond Book 3, the ‘Ultimate Edition’ James Bond DVDs, Sideshow Bond announcements, as well as other 007-related events, and much, much more.
This month’s CBn Dossier will be delivered by Devin Zydel.
Enjoy.
Counting Down To ‘Casino Royale’
It seems that recently each successive month gets flooded with more news about 2006’s Casino Royale than the last. July is certainly no exception. Principal photography was completed, the main title song performer was announced, reports from the official website were filed, the world premiere was announced, filming and video reports were revealed, and so much more…
July began with the announcement that the Casino Royale production would be filming in Black Park. James Bond fans may best know the area as the location where Tilly Masterson is killed by Oddjob in Goldfinger. The early forest chase in Octopussy and the pipeline sequence in The World Is Not Enough are also featured here. Pictures were later posted on CBn from the filming. It was later on reported that Sir Richard Branson, Virgin Atlantic airline owner, will be making a cameo appearance in the film. He will apparently be playing himself at one of the scenes set at Miami Airport for the upcoming Bond film.
Official ‘Casino Royale’ Teaser Poster
Behind-the-scenes photographs of Daniel Craig meeting with fans were revealed on 7 July. On the same day, GreekGeek.de posted the Casino Royale banner that was previously seen at the Cannes Film Festival. Eva Green, Caterina Murino, Ivana Milicevic, Michael G. Wilson, and Debbie McWilliams were all interviewed by Coming Soon / SuperHeroHype as well. Questions regarding casting, preparation, rumours and more were asked.
A set report from the Dunsfold Park Aerodrome (which doubles as Miami International Airport in the film) was filed thanks to CBn forum user ‘marktmurphy.’ Included were several pictures from the location. Additionally, shots from the Miami sequence were also posted. ‘What happens between Bond and Carlos (a villain in some of the photographs) is breath-taking. It is some of the best stuntwork you are likely to see…’ says a movie insider.
It was also reported that Smirnoff Vodka will once again team up with the James Bond 007 films and be featured in Casino Royale as ‘007’s vodka of choice.’ Later on, some of the Smirnoff Vodka campaign details were revealed. They include a $10,000 sweepstakes (where contestants enter codes from the bottles) and a TV ad featuring a bottle of Smirnoff being broken out of a booby-trapped briefcase (view a picture from this upcoming TV ad here) are planned. Smirnoff is one of only eight marketing partners for Casino Royale. The reason for this change, according to Mary Goss Robino, senior vice president, global marketing partnerships is ‘by choice… We work hand-in-hand with them to make sure everything fits with the brand and the character James Bond.’ Mitch Litvak, CEO of The L.A. Office (a company connecting studios and marketers) says: ‘there’s a point where there are too many partners, but the studios are much more proactive about making sure they don’t overdo it, especially for something with as much caliber as Bond.’
Casino Royale made the front cover of Empire magazine. Daniel Craig features on the front cover and included is the ‘biggest ever preview’ of the newest James Bond film. An image from the magazine can be viewed here. Click here for a wallpaper featuring Craig on the Empire website. A video report featuring several action shots from the stairwell sequence in the film was also revealed.
Principal photography on Casino Royale was completed in mid-July. The film then moved into post-production. Details on the world premiere of the film were also released. The date chosen is 14 November 2006 at the Odeon Leicester Square in London. It will be the 60th Royal Film Performance.
After endless months of rumours, suggestions, and wondering the main title theme performer was chosen: Chris Cornell. In collaboration with composer David Arnold, Cornell has written and will perform the main title song ‘You Know My Name’ for the film. Casino Royale will be the first film since 1983’s Octopussy to not feature a main title song that matches the name of the film. ‘I’ve always loved Chris’ work, both as a writer and as an artist, and had hoped someday to find the right film to inspire him… His music is both soulful and tough. It was the perfect complement to Daniel Craig and Casino Royale‘, says Lia Vollack, President, Worldwide Music for Columbia Pictures. In an article on MTV, Cornell expressed some of his early concerns about taking the job, saying: ‘I wasn’t really sure about doing a Bond theme, because I wasn’t really a big fan of the last several movies,” he said. “And then I heard that there was going to be a new guy-Daniel Craig-who was going to play Bond. And he’s so different…’
The official Casino Royale website was also updated with several new reports, including #8, #9, #10, and #11. In addition, three video reports: ‘The Fighting’, ‘Directing Bond’, and ‘007 Stage’.
As a truly unfortunate and shocking end to the Casino Royale news for July, it was reported that the ‘007 Stage’ at Pinewood Studios has been destroyed by a fire that required at least eight fire engines to put the blaze out. The Casino Royale production had luckily finished and the set was being de-rigged at the time of the fire.
James Bond Will Return… In 2008
It was revealed in mid-July that the release date for Bond 22 has been set for 2 May 2008, finally shutting down the 2007 rumour. It was also reported that it was very unlikely that Martin Campbell would be returning to direct the 22nd James Bond adventure. The other bit of Bond 22 news came from the Hollywood Reporter. The report claims that Roger Michell is in negotiations to direct the film, with a script not written by Neal Purvis or Robert Wade, but instead with a script based on an original idea from Bond producer Michael G. Wilson.
Time will tell…
Bonding With The Literary 007
The ever busy world of the literary 007 didn’t take a break in July either. The month started off with the news that the recently announced James Bond comic strip collection from Titan Books, Trouble Spot, is now discounted on both amazon.co.uk and amazon.com. This new 007 collection, made up of the Isle of Condors, The League of Vampires, and Die With My Boots On strips in addition to the title story. It will feature an introduction by Bond girl Martine Beswick, who portrayed Paula Caplan in Thunderball and gyspy girl Zora in From Russia With Love, amongst other special features that accompany these releases.
Perhaps the biggest news of the month was that ‘Ian Fleming Publications Ltd have commissioned a very well-known and highly respected author to write a new James Bond novel. The launch of the new book, which promises to be a major publishing event, will mark the centenary of Ian Fleming’s birth in May 2008. Corinne Turner of Ian Fleming Publications Ltd comments, “We are delighted to have secured this particular author who we have had in mind for some time now. He is the perfect writer for this project and we are greatly looking forward to his take on James Bond, in what we are convinced will be a stunning novel.”‘
Other big news included the announcement of the authors to introduce the 2006 reprints of the Ian Fleming James Bond novels by Penguin UK. The complete list is: Jeffery Deaver, Louise Welsh, Michael Dibdin, Jonathan Kellerman, Charlie Higson, Simon Winder, Ben Schott, Barry Eisler, David Wolstencroft, Nick Stone, Val McDermid, Mo Hayder, Charles Cumming, and Robert Ryan. Each Bond novel will be released on 26 October 2006 from Amazon UK and will retail for £6.99 each. No details yet on an Amazon US release.
As the premiere of Casino Royale gets closer, so does the release dates for the many 007-themed tie-in books. Bond On Set: Casino Royale is now available to pre-order discounted on amazon.com.
The book follows the 2002 release of Bond On Set: Die Another Day in that it will feature photography from the James Bond set by Greg Williams. The full blurb follows: ‘Featuring the debut of a brand-new Bond and set in a number of spectacular European locations, Casino Royale is the latest addition to the most successful film series ever made. Working alongside cast and crew, premier showbiz photographer Greg Williams creates a unique visual record of the making of the movie.’
The second edition of 007: A Literary Dossier has been announced, with a release date set for November. The second edition features bonus material and all new artwork along with synopses of all 35 original James Bond novels, 7 movie novelizations and all spin-off novels to date.
Casino Royale was released on On Audio CD, Cassette, & MP3 on 15 July, The Science Of James Bond is now available to pre-order at a discounted price of $9.72, and the release of James Bond: The Secret World of 007 was pushed to October.
All Things Young Bond
The big news in the Young Bond world was undoubtedly the details surrounding Charlie Higson’s third novel in the series, Young Bond Book 3.
This novel, which follows the successful SilverFin and Blood Fever will be released on 4 January 2007. It can currently be pre-ordered for a discounted price of £5.59. The official blurb runs:
Bond is back! This is the third brilliant “Young Bond” adventure by Charlie Higson.
With kidnap, violence, explosions, and murder, it was no ordinary weekend. But then, James Bond is no ordinary boy…In a North London cemetery, a professor is kidnapped at gunpoint. A suspicious letter crammed with cryptic clues arrives at Eton. To decipher the deadly mystery, James Bond must take a series of dangerous gambles. Once the code is cracked, he has just 48 hours to save the professor from the dark forces that threaten to destroy them both. And if the professor can’t escape, it’s not only his future under threat. It’s the rest of the world’s…
Charlie Higson’s Young Bond Book 3
In an interview on the official Young Bond website, Charlie Higson also revealed his James Bond ‘formula’. Finally, the Spanish edition of SilverFin is available to order from amazon.com.
Sideshow
July was filled with several different Sideshow Collectibles announcements. The three new figures are the Sean Connery Legacy Edition, Roger Moore Legacy Edition, and the Pierce Brosnan Legacy Edition figure. All three James Bond figures are estimated to ship in the fourth quarter of 2006, and can be pre-ordered now at Sideshow for $44.99.
Each of the Legacy Edition James Bond figures include an authentic portrait, fully articulated body with 30+ points of articulation, expertly tailored fabric costume, and many different accessories.
Check out CBn’s Comic-Con 2006 report for coverage on the Sideshow figures, Sony, DK, Profiles in History, and so much more.
Double-Oh-DVDs
In mid-July, possible Region 1 packaging for the ‘Ultimate Edition James Bond 007 DVDs was posted online. Two different boxed sets were highlighted: a gold and red one. Each boxed set has five rows of stills from five different Bond films on the front. One would assume this means each boxed set would contain five James Bond films, for a grand total of four Region 1 boxed sets. Another theory is that each of these sets will contain ten films each–with five rows of stills on both sides of the boxed set (two sets total). Keep in mind that this first picture of the Region 1 packaging is not confirmed yet – there is still no official announcement regarding the Region 1 James Bond 007 ‘Ultimate Edition’ DVDs.
The red boxed set includes stills from Thunderball, Die Another Day, The Spy Who Loved Me, A View To A Kill, and Licence To Kill.
The gold boxed set includes stills from Goldfinger, The World Is Not Enough, Diamonds Are Forever, The Man With The Golden Gun, and one other film (stills cannot be viewed for this final row).
The James Bond 007 ‘Ultimate Edition’ DVDs were released on 17 July in the UK. Click here for CommanderBond.net’s round-up of all the latest James Bond 007 ‘Ultimate Edition’ DVD news: front and back cover art, worldwide release dates, menu and screen caps, new certificates, pre-ordering details, special features, technical specs, and more.
Events, Boat Shows, Marathons, And More
Bond fans will want to take notice of the upcoming Boats of Bond exhibit, which is set for 3 to 8 August 2006 at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre. The event will be showcasing the Tow Sled from Thunderball, the Bath-O-Sub from Diamonds Are Forever, the Neptune Submarine from For Your Eyes Only, and the Q-Boat from The World Is Not Enough.
Lana Wood and David Hedison will be appearing at the Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia Convention in September 2006. Joanna Lumley met with fans at the Vintage Magazine Shop on 29 July.
A new 007-themed event will be coming in November 2006 to celebrate the release of Casino Royale. It is planned on Sat and Sun 18th/19th November at the Mill Hotel & Spa Destination, Chester: ‘Destination Bond:’ A Celebration Of 007 And Casino Royale.
Click here to read Chris Wright’s report on the International Sports & Entertainment Festival, which featured David Hedison and Priscilla Barnes from Licence To Kill.
Get ready for a new James Bond 007 marathon on TV. Yahoo reports that Spike TV will feature James Bond movies all throughout August in their ‘Bond Days Of Summer’ marathon, telecasting every Tuesday evening in “Casino Cinema,” and every Saturday and Sunday starting at 4:00 PM, ET/PT.
On Saturday 18th November, lucky Bond fans will have a chance to spend ‘An Evening With Eunice Gayson.’
Monopoly: James Bond 007 Collector’s Edition was released and CBn took a look at several new James Bond models coming from Corgi, a brand which has been associated with the James Bond series before, in October 2006.
Bonds Keep Busy
Sir Sean Connery, Sir Roger Moore, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig have or will be involved with several other projects outside of the 007 world lately.
It was recently reported that Rome’s new film festival would honour Sir Sean Connery, ‘an actor of extraordinary quality who has worked with the world’s greatest directors and written some of the most unforgettable moments in movie history.’
Additionally, fans of the actor can watch the American Film Institute’s (AFI) Lifetime Achievement Award ceremony for Sir Sean Connery online. Featured are speeches by Andy Garcia, Harrison Ford, George Lucas, Tom Jones, Eddie Izzard, Steven Spielberg, Pierce Brosnan, Tippi Hedren, Catherine Zeta Jones, Julia Ormond, Ian McShane, and Greg Ferguson. The opening by Mike Myers and the Daniel Craig video appearance are also included.
It was also reported that Sir Connery will be writing a book about his life and views of Scotland.
Sir Roger Moore, UNICEF goodwill ambassador, attended the J8 Youth Forum in St. Petersburg on 8 July 2006. Pictures from the event can be viewed on the official Roger Moore website and on the CBn forums.
Pierce Brosnan, honorary chair of the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF), will be serving as ambassador for Lee National Denim Day. The event helps to bring more awareness to the fight against breast cancer and encourage people nationwide to participate.
Daniel Craig doesn’t just have a new James Bond role on his plate. He will be appearing in an animated film with a former Bond villain. PR Inside reports that new 007 Daniel Craig will be appearing alongside Jonathan Pryce (Elliot Carver in 1997’s Tomorrow Never Dies) in film noir cartoon Renaissance.
CBn – James Bond At Its Best
Be sure to check out the most interesting and enjoyable interview by CBn’s Blair Pettis with Simon Winder, author of The Man Who Saved Britain. Later on in the month, CBn gave away a free copy of the novel to one lucky winner. Congratulations to CBn forum member ‘Jericho_One.’
Lastly, the CBn forums celebrated a milestone number of 6000 members in July 2006. In addition, the CBn RSS feed syndicates CBn news stories all over the world. Check out the CBn Podcast–the first and only James Bond podcast on the internet–for all the latest news in the world of 007.
With over 570,000 posts and endless discussion topics, there has never been a better time to join the CBn Forums to discuss Casino Royale and all other Bond topics. Registration is free and only takes a minute. It’s safe to say that as Bond fans, we have a lot to look forward to. As always, stay tuned to CBn for daily coverage of all things James Bond 007.
Related Links
- The CBn Dossier, June ’06
- The CBn Dossier, May ’06
- The CBn Dossier, April ’06
- The CBn Dossier, March ’06
- The CBn Dossier, February ’06
- The CBn Dossier, January ’06
- The CBn Dossier, December ’05
- The CBn Dossier, November ’05
- The CBn Dossier, October ’05
- The CBn Dossier, Special Edition covering ‘Casino Royale’
- The CBn Dossier, September ’05
- The CBn Dossier, August ’05
- The CBn Dossier, July ’05
- The CBn Dossier, June ’05
- The CBn Dossier, May ’05
- The CBn Dossier, April ’05
- The CBn Dossier, March ’05
- The CBn Dossier, February ’05
