EON CONFIRMS CAMPBELL AND 'CASINO ROYALE'!

Eon Productions have today broken their silence and confirmed that Pierce Brosnan is OUT… director Martin Campbell is IN… and Bond 21 is officially called CASINO ROYALE.

While none of this is new news to readers of CBn, it’s finally official confirmation from the only source that can make it “official”… Eon Productions.

MARTIN CAMPBELL TO DIRECT CASINO ROYALE,
THE 21ST JAMES BOND ADVENTURE

Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, producers of the James Bond films, and MGM announced today that Martin Campbell will direct CASINO ROYALE, the 21st film in the 007 franchise.

This is Campbell’s second time as helmer of a James Bond film. In 1995 he directed the hit GOLDENEYE which introduced Pierce Brosnan to the role of 007 with great success.

Wilson and Broccoli said: “We are thrilled that Martin has accepted our offer to direct CASINO ROYALE. He is an extremely talented director and we believe he will help take our films in a new and exciting direction. He is currently finishing filming ‘Legend Of Zorro’, the sequel to ‘The Mask Of Zorro’, and will be joining EON Productions shortly to work on the development of the script with our writers, Neal Purvis and Robert Wade.”

MGM Vice Chairman and COO Chris McGurk said: “Martin is an incredibly exciting filmmaker. GOLDENEYE was a wonderful movie and helped reinvigorate the Bond franchise. We’re thrilled to have him back to direct the newest Bond.”

Born in New Zealand, Campbell moved to England in 1966 and made his directorial debut on the popular TV series’ ‘The Professionals’ and ‘Minder’. He moved to America in 1986 to direct ‘Criminal Law’ and ‘Defenceless’. Following GOLDENEYE, he went on to direct ‘The Mask Of Zorro’, ‘Vertical Limit’ and ‘Beyond Borders’ and is currently directing ‘Legend Of Zorro’.

CASINO ROYALE will be released in 2006 and distributed world-wide by MGM. No decision has yet been made regarding casting for the role of ‘James Bond’.

– Official Press Release from EON PRODUCTIONS LTD

Casino Royale was first adapted in 1954 as a one-hour TV teleplay by CBS with American Barry Nelson playing the screen’s first 007. Because Fleming had already sold the film rights to his first James Bond novel, Casino Royale was not part of the 1961 Cubby Broccoli/Harry Saltzman film rights purchase deal that was the foundation of the James Bond/Eon Productions franchise.

The rights passed from hand to hand until Charles K. Feldman announced he’d produce a rival Bond film to the Eon series. But this was at the height of Bondmania, and Feldman decided he couldn’t compete with Sean Connery, so in 1967 he and Columbia Pictures turned Casino Royale into a farce comedy starring David Niven and Peter Sellers. (Kaleidoscope, an excellent thriller made in 1966, used plot elements so strikingly similar to Casino Royale that it could almost be called an unofficial adaptation.)

Fast forward to the late 1990s when Sony (who acquired the Casino rights when they purchased Columbia Pictures) locked horns with MGM over disputed rights to the Bond film Thunderball. The settlement in favour of MGM not only returned the Thunderball rights to Eon, but Sony also surrendered their long-held rights to Casino Royale. This alowed Eon to finally adapt this first Fleming novel.

Ironically, Sony’s recent purchase of MGM means they will have a major hand in producing Casino Royale after all.

As always, keep watching CBn for all the latest Bond 21…
…Whoops! We mean, CASINO ROYALE news.

To discuss this press release visit this thread on the CBn Forums.

Related CBn stories (now confirmed):

• February 11, 2004: LICENCE REVOKED
• July 30, 2004: Bond 21 is ‘Casino Royale’
• January 16, 2005: “It’s a Done Deal.” Campbell to direct

The Blades Library Book Club: Goldfinger

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

Every two months a book 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 for the CBn Forums and then post your name in the sign up thread.

The Book Club’s seventh Book

Currently we are progressing though the 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. Therefore, Goldfinger will be the book in the hands of readers for February 2005. Goldfinger, written in 1959, is Fleming’s seventh Bond novel.

Obtaining The Book

Ordering online should be quite easy. Goldfinger can be ordered online from the following sources:

• BN.com
• Amazon.co.uk
• Amazon.com

Online sources for other older versions of Goldfinger:

• Bookfinder.com
• Ebay

Discuss other places to buy Goldfinger 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. Be sure to title the thread with Goldfinger and the chapter number you have read through.

Review And Rate The Book

After you have finished reading Goldfinger, you can dicuss 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.

Previous Books Read

• 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

Read 'SilverFin' Chapter 1 Online

Hyperion Books has a real treat for those James Bond fans who just can’t wait for SilverFin, the first Young Bond novel by BBC comedy writer and thriller novelist Charlie Higson. Hyperion has put the entire first chapter of the novel on their offical website.

CHAPTER ONE: THE NEW BOY

The smell and noise and confusion of a hallway full of schoolboys can be quite awful at twenty past seven in the morning. The smell was the worst part-from this great disorderly mass rose the scent of sweat and sour breath and unwashed bodies, mixing with the two-hundred-year-old school odor of carbolic and floor polish.

CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING

SilverFin will be released in the UK on March 3, 2005. Miramax/Hyperion will release a hardcover edition and a just announced paperback edition in the U.S. on April 27, 2005.

CBn will publish a review of SilverFin on March 3.

Keep watching CBn for the latest news on SilverFin and the Young Bond series.

To discuss this news visit this thread in the CBn forums.

Pre-order the UK edition of SilverFin (March 3, 2005)

Pre-order the U.S. hardcover edition of SilverFin (April 27, 2005)

Pre-order the U.S. paperback edition of SilverFin (April 27, 2005)

Pre-order the SilverFin audio book (March 3, 2005)

Brosnan Confirms On His Official Website That It's (Really) Over

It’s over. Pierce Brosnan has at last officially and irrevocably
announced via his official website that his days as James Bond are counted.

In an update dated February 1st, 2005, Brosnan concludes:

I would like to thank all of you who have supported me over the last year or so in regard to my playing Bond. It was a decade of my life that I will always hold dear to my heart and a time that will never be forgotten. And you dear friends stood by me throughout. Many, many thanks! But everything comes to an end, and one must accept this decision which cannot be dealt with in any other way but with some kind of grace and knowledge that I did the job to the best of my ability."

Pierce Brosnan

CBn has previously reported  that Brosnan has announced his leave on
several occasions before, but his website post is the first officially confirmed
word on it. Although Bond fans in the whole world started to accept Brosnan’s
"retirement" some months ago, there was always a glimmer of hope left.

While at the beginning of January there was a
hot rumour that Brosnan was in 007 talks again, CBn has learnt that final attempts to find a solution with Pierce Brosnan have failed.

Keep watching CBn for the latest news on Bond 21.

To discuss this news visit this thread in the CBn Forums.
Thanks to Matthias & Clopin for the tip.

Related articles:

• Brosnan Fired From Bond Role!
• Brosnan REVOKES his own Licence to Kill!
• New Claims: Brosnan Out For Bond 21 Following Dispute
• Brosnan Says 007 Future Still Uncertain
• German Bond 21 Release Date Set
• Brosnan Says 007 Future Still Uncertain
• IMDb Reports: “Brosnan Will Play Bond Again”
• Brosnan Tempers Rhetoric in Recent T.V. Appearances
• Brosnan Confirms The Producers Are Talking to Jackman & Owen
• Bitter Brosnan: “Negotiations have now ceased.”
• MGM Vice Chairman Talks Bond 21
• Brosnan ‘On The Record with Bob Costas’
• Pierce Keeps Pressure on Bond Producers
• ‘…I don’t know what’s going to happen. I have no idea.’
• Brosnan Speaks Out in Detail on His Future as Bond
• Pierce Brosnan A Little Frazzled?
• Brosnan: “My Future As 007 Is Opaque”
• Eon Says That Brosnan is Bond ‘For Now’
• LICENCE REVOKED
• Brosnan’s Head is on the Block?

EA Confirms, Previews 'From Russia With Love'

Electronic Arts last week visited the University of Florida where it confirmed that their next James Bond video game will be From Russia With Love, reports IGN.com. EA also confirmed that they have another James Bond game in development at their LA studio (site of last year’s GoldenEye: Rogue Agent Community Day).

Using an early build of From Russia With Love on a PC workstation, EA showed six scenes of the company’s first revisionist Bond game. The first scene portrayed Sean Connery flying across the sky in a jetpack in small town set in the 1960s. After landing, Connery jumps into a sports car with a desirable girl and a car chase-scene ensues. The scene ends as Connery’s driving antics knock down a water tower. The other scene showed Pierce Brosnan sneaking on a boat dock, firing and blowing up explosive crates, and then jettisoning the location in a hybrid boat/hovercraft.

EA had planned an original 007 outing in the vein of Everything or Nothing for 2005, and hired Bond veteran Bruce Feirstein to write the storyline. However, when it became clear Pierce Brosnan would not be returning to the role of 007 and that an announcement of a successor was still some time away, it was decided to shelve the original and go with the remake concept.

It not known whether this second game currently in development is based on Feirstein’s original.

EA’s video game adaptation of From Russia With Love will expand beyond the storyline of the 1963 James Bond film.

EA is expected to announce more details soon.

BCW8 in New York!

“Operation: Thrill”

Spend Sean Connery’s 75th Birthday at the eighth annual Bond Collectors Weekend! The dazzling BCW8 is set for August 25-28, 2005 (Thursday-Sunday) in New York City! So save the date!

Your mission: Participate in all BOND activities

Meet, dine and party with fans from across the US, Canada, Europe, Asia and the UK. Jump in and dress up for the annual costume bash (you’ll have 45-min to get properly dressed!). There will be the usual 007 memorabilia swap and sale. Plus James Bond insiders and celebrities will be in attendance — a scheduled 007 author book signing as well (all “names” tba). Of course Bond Collectors Weekend wouldn’t be complete without tours of New York and Tri-State 007 locations — including locations from Live & Let Die, Diamonds Are Forever, Die Another Day, Goldfinger and 007 in New York.

*Sung to the tune of Goldfinger*

Bond Collectors’ (wa-wa-wa) We-ee-ee-eekend! It’s the days, the days with the golden touch, That-mean-so-much! (wa-wa-wa-wa-wa!)

…Golden coin you can spend on yourself, If you want 007’s top shelf! But our BCWs, are like no other, Events you can enjoy, sisters and brothers…

B…C…W…8’s the charm, The Weekend to end them all, …Starting at City Hall!

– That craZy Matt Sherman
organizer of the BCW’s

“You’ve suddenly become tiresome, Mr. Sherman.”

Keep watching CBn for more details on BCW8. Including hotel information, pricing and how to purchase tickets for this four-day 007 event!

To discuss BCW8 visit this thread on the CBn Forums.

Check out last years BCW…
“BCW-007: James Bond Locations! Locations! Locations!“

Young Bond Website Launched!

Literary James Bond fans can now keep their eyes on YoungBond.com, the official web-site for SilverFin by author Charlie Higson. Looks like this may be the start of Young Bondmania.

“Everybody knows James Bond. Or they think they do.
But how much do we really know about where he came
from? How much do we really know about the boy who
went on to become the world’s most famous spy? Up
until now, his past has been something of a blank
page. But on 3 March all of that is going to change…”

– youngbond.com

Currently YoungBond.com is a teaser site, but full content will be coming shortly. For now, you can submit your email address to receive updates on Young Bond. There are audio extracts and a countdown to the global launch of the series as well as mini-character profiles for James Bond, George Hellebore, Lord Randolph Hellebore, Red Kelly and Wilder Lawless.

SilverFin will be released on March 3, 2005 in the UK…
and April 27, 2005 in the US.

CBn will publish a review of SilverFin on March 3.

To discuss youngbond.com visit this thread on the CBn Forums.
Thanks to JohnBoy007 (CBn Member) for the tip-off!

Keep watching CBn for Full Coverage of the Young Bond series.

Pre-order the UK edition of SilverFin (March 3, 2005)

Pre-order the U.S. hardcover edition of SilverFin (April 27, 2005)

Pre-order the SilverFin audio book (March 3, 2005)

An Evening with George Lazenby at Pinewood Studios

Following the hugely popular ‘Afternoon With Richard Kiel‘ in November 2004 — BondStars.com have arranged another once in a lifetime opportunity. A Celebration of the James Bond film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service with the rare UK appearance of George Lazenby, aka: James Bond.

During this event James Bond fans will not only have the chance to meet George Lazenby, but to meet him at Pinewood Studios (the world famous home of 007 for over 40 years)! Pinewood is not open to the public, so this is a very rare chance to visit the complex and home of 007 himself!

DATE: 11th June 2005
TIME: 9:00am to 10:30pm (approximately)
COST: £130 per person

LOCATION: (Please do NOT call Pinewood Studios for info)
Pinewood Studios
Pinewood Road
Iver Heath
Buckinghamshire
SL0 0NH

For more information and to order tickets…
VISIT: bondstars.com

Spaced are limited to only 100 people and admission is strictly ticket only.

The afternoon will include:

• Welcome tea, coffee and pastries
• Studio tour* – see behind the scenes at the world famous studio; never open to the public.
• Guest signings
• Bond Memorabilia Room
• B-B-Q Lunch in Pinewood famous gardens
• Pinewood’s bar will be open all day
• Q&A on Stage with Bond guests (Guests to be announced)
• Afternoon refreshments
• 35mm screening of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service in Pinewood’s luxurious screening theatre
• 3 course dinner in Pinewood’s famous restaurant, with guest of honour George Lazenby + cast and crew members from On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.
• In Conversation With George Lazenby – a live on stage, post-dinner, conversation followed by a Q&A with 007 himself.
• Plus: James Bond Quiz & Goodies

To discuss this event please visit this thread on the CBn Forums.

'DR. NO' Coming From Titan in May

Titan Books next collected series of the classic James Bond Daily Express comic strips by Henry Gammidge and John McLusky will be DR. NO. This new edition also collects Diamonds Are Forever and From Russia, With Love. The book features an introduction by Eunice Gayson (who played Bond’s London girlfriend Sylvia Trench in both Dr. No and From Russia With Love) and the final part of a feature examining the post-Fleming novels.

Titan’s DR. NO is set for release in the UK on May 23, 2005 and can be pre-ordered at Amazon.co.uk.

This collection was previously published in the 1980s as The Illustrated James Bond 007 by The James Bond 007 Fan Club.

So what does the future hold for the Titan series? James Bond art expert and CBn’s own Titan insider “Red Grant” (webmaster of the terrific The Art of James Bond website) checks in with this:

Nothing is confirmed beyond Dr. No but I wouldn’t imagine that they would reprint The Spy Who Loved Me on it’s own. Given what is in the current volumes, one story isn’t enough. Teaming it with Colonel Sun is a logical choice if it is available. Both stories are quite long and complement each other perfectly.

We couldn’t agree more, Red!

To discuss this book visit this thread in the CBn Forums
Thanks to TheSaint for the tip.

Purchase all the Titan 007 graphic novels from Amazon:

• The Man With The Golden Gun
  – Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com
• Octopussy
  – Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com
• On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
  – Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com
• Goldfinger
  – Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com
• Casino Royale
  – Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com
• Dr. No (Pre-Order)
  – Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com (September 30, 2005)

Auction to benefit UNICEF: 2004 Tsunami Relief Fund

Bidding starts at $200 US (auction ends February 3, 2005)
Please VISIT OUR AUCTION and help make a difference.

“The New Year always holds the possibility of the best that life has to offer. I’m sorry to say that the news of the massive holiday tragedy has left a number of colleagues, friends and family feeling helpless.”

–Jeff Marshall

We’re all aware of the effects the tsunami has had on Asia… and because of this Jeff Marshall and CBn have teamed up in an attempt to raise a “little something” for the UNICEF: 2004 Tsunami Relief Fund. 100% of the money raised by this auction will go directly to the “United States Fund for UNICEF: 2004 Tsunami Relief Fund”. Thanks to MissionFish you can be assured that this is in fact the case, they take the money directly from the E-Bay auction and pass it on to UNICEF.

Jeff Marshall (James Bond artist extraordinaire) has donated his own personal copy of The Spy Who Loved Me lithograph which has been hanging in his office. This litho has been signed by Roger Moore, Richard Kiel and Caroline Munro!

“The litho is one of my favorites, and I was thinking if it could raise a little something – the money could then go over to UNICEF and help those children who so need care.”

–Jeff Marshall

Included in this auction, Jeff has also graciously offered an original pencil sketch that he did when creating the art work for The Spy Who Loved Me lithograph. He’ll sign it and if you wish, personalize it too.

Bidding starts at $200 US
(auction ends February 3, 2005)
Please VISIT OUR AUCTION
and help make a difference.

If you’re reading this: could you spread the news about this auction benifit to everyone you know — Web-sites, forums, family, friends, enemys, co-workers, etc. That would be awesome. Thanks guys!