Madonna Confirms Role

In an interview with Genre magazine Madonna has spoken of her two roles in Die Another Day; that is, of the title song and of her cameo role.

To begin with, Madonna has confirmed earlier reports that her role in Die Another Day would be that of James Bond’s fencing instructor. Obviously, the role will see her on screen opposite Pierce Brosnan. There is still no word on how long Madonna will be seen on screen, thought it was recently revealed that her characters name is Verity.

Of the theme song for Die Another Day Madonna has told Genre, “The song I wrote for the Bond film is about destroying your ego, and it’s juxtaposing the metaphor of, you know, the fight against good and bad, and it’s set inside the whole universe of Bond. Like all Bond films, somebody’s chasing him or he’s chasing somebody and it’s always a fight against good and evil. I wanted to take it to another level. It’s kind of a metaphor.. I’m fighting myself.”

If you’d like to discuss Madonna’s comments please visit this thread of the Die Another Day Forums. Thanks to robster006 for the tip-off!

DAD Cars To Feature at British International Motor Show

In a press release earlier today the British International Motor Show have revealed that three cars from Die Another Day will feature at this years Motor Show;

As excitement builds for the imminent release of the brand new James Bond movie, DIE ANOTHER DAY, Motor Show has announced the world public debut of three of the film’s automotive stars.

The twentieth instalment in the super-spy adventure series sees Pierce Brosnan return as Britain’s favourite secret agent taking the wheel of Aston Martin’s latest model – the Aston Martin Vanquish.

The movie’s villain Zao, will drive a modified 400bhp Jaguar XKR convertible and the latest Bond girl Halle Berry, the new Ford Thunderbird. All three cars can be seen in a specialist area centred in Hall 4 of the NEC.

Chief executive of SMMT, the Show organiser’s, the SMMT, Christopher Macgowan said, ‘We’ve seen the plans for this fantastic feature, and can’t wait to see it live at the NEC. More than half a million people who come to the event are in for a real treat – the ultimate British action-hero at the ultimate motoring event.’

Speaking on behalf of Premier Automotive Group, Stuart Dyble, Director of Communications and Public Affairs added, ‘We chose the British International Motor Show to showcase our involvement with the forthcoming Bond film, DIE ANOTHER DAY, as it coincides with both the promotion of the film worldwide, and the huge fan base based in the UK, who I am sure will come to see these unique cars.’

MTV To Show Special Bond Programmes

Orange Today have reported that MTV will air two special James Bond programmes in November this year.

Bond fans can look forward to a ‘diary entry’ entitled A Day In The Life of 007 which will feature contributions from Bond actor Pierce Brosnan and from Die Another Day’s director Lee Tamahori. The program will air on MTV UK on November 1.

It seems that the US Market will receive a different special with MTV showing a special program on the film on it’s US release date, November 22nd. The program will feature interviews with Lee Tamahori, Pierce Brosnan, Halle Berry and Judi Dench.

Hopefully, MTV Channels world-wide will show both programs, giving Bond fans the opportunity to watch both documentries.

Another special promised, with no release date yet scheduled in, is a behind the scenes look at the filming of Madonna’s Die Another Day video clip.

If you’d like to discuss this news please visit this thread of the Die Another Day Forums.

A big thanks to ‘Brad Tirpitz’ for the tip-off!

Donations: Please Help Keep CBn Online

CBn is now back…what do you all think? Please leave all your feedback at this thread in the CBn Forums.

Now we have our new dedicated server, the costs of upkeep are a lot more, than that of a year ago. The donations from CBn’s last campaign have nearly gone, but it did the job, in keeping the server online, coping with over 5 million hits each month and rising this month.

It’s time to ask for your financial support…again.

We’ve proved that we can jump the biggest of hurdles because we have kept on running against the odds.

Even when the site has been down – we’ve always come back, bigger and better. And during our latest “incident”, our forums reached the milestone of 1000 members – without the support of the main site – that can’t be bad.

So, if you can give a donation (please click on the button below), however big or small, it will help to keep the site running.

As always, I want to emphasise that every penny, cent etc goes into the site costs.

Each and every member on the site works on a totally voluntary basis, purely wanting to promote the James Bond phenomenon – nothing more, nothing less.

Bond Changes His Vodka Tastes

James Bond and the phrase “shaken, not stirred” have always gone hand in hand, and while Bond will be shaking those Vodka Martini’s for years to come it seems that’s Bond’s Vodka brand of choice are about to change with the release of Die Another Day.

The Wall Street Journal have reported that Finlandia will replace Smirnoff as Bond’s choice of Vodka brand. The change came about after Smirnoff decided not to use product placement in Die Another Day as they believed the Bond films no longer reach the target audience they were seeking to promote their products too.

Details about Finlandia’s contract for product placement have not been released. but Finlandia will tout its role with print ads, posters, magazines and contests, according to the Wall Street Journal.

If you’d like to discuss this news please visit this thread of the Die Another Day Forums. Thanks to ‘Jeff007’ for alerting us to the news.

Source: MKKBB: http://www.ianfleming.org

Die Another Day Title Song Release Dates

Over on Madonnarama, they have published the release dates for the DAD Title Song.

7th October – Radio stations.
10 October – Worldwide simultaneous video debut.
28 October – Commercial single release.

The making of video is being created by MTV for all the MTV channels internationally.

Mr Big's Crocodile Farm

In the James Bond films directed by Guy Hamilton, it was quite common for the villain to knock Bond out unconscious and then have him awaken in a strange and perhaps dangerous place, the “snake pit” device I think they call it. In Goldfinger 007 is hit with a tranquilizer and comes to in a plane with Pussy Galore pointing a gun at him, Diamonds Are Forever sees Connery get sprayed in the elevator and then awake to find himself in a pipeline conversing with a rat, and ofcourse in Live and Let Die, Tee Hee whacks Bond across the back of the head with his hook, and carries 007 over his shoulder all the way to Mr. Big’s Crocodile Farm.

If you holidayed in Louisiana any time between 1972 and 1998 and you didn’t take the opportunity to visit Mr. Big’s Crocodile Farm, then you should be taken out and beaten. Because during that period the Crocodile Farm was the premier tourist attraction in the state, and in many peoples minds the entire nation. There was so much to see and do, with “Feeding Time” being the particular highlight of the day, but there is also a relaxing atmosphere as you bask in the mid morning sun, keeping a careful eye out for anyone in the swamp that may consider you edible. Sure, it’s a risky venture, but so is a trip to the supermarket when you think about it. The difference with The Crocodile Farm was that anyone who lost a hand was provided with a hook, courtesy of the Farm, ensuring that there were no complaints. Until a few years ago that is, when the premises was set alight one too many times and was declared a fire risk by the local council. The Crocodile Farm was shut down, tourism to the region dropped 74%, and world domination seeking villains had lost their best “snake pit” situation to send Bond to.

But maybe it’s all for the best. The loss of the greatest “snake pit” of all forced the producers to admit the standard of the “snake pits” had been going downhill in recent times. It all started with A View to A Kill, Zorin just puts Bond in the Rolls Royce and pushes it in the river. And then in GoldenEye all Trevelyn can come up with is to tie Bond up inside the helicopter and have it shoot itself. It seems like the villains are getting lazy of late, not putting any creativity or energy into their “snake pits” anymore, and that’s a downright shame. Thankfully for them, I’ve come up with a few snake pit situations of my own, ones that even Guy Hamilton would be proud of…

A Bulls Roar: Bond awakens to find himself in the middle of a Bull Fighting ring in Spain. He is surrounded by herds of bulls and they are not happy. Why? Because the villain has stripped Bond naked, painted him red, and stapled a McDonalds logo to his behind. The angry bulls lower their horns and charge at Bond from all directions, lets see him get out of this one.

A Drop in the Ocean: Nusing his head, Bond wakes up to gentle rocking of water all around him. It seems that the villain has placed Bond in a life raft and left him in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. To make matters worse, the life raft has a puncture and is losing air fast. Bond must continuous blow air into the raft, while paddling with both hands to get to the nearest continent.

Problem Solver: Bond feels quite strange when he comes around, something isn’t quite right. Turns out it’s because he’s 14,000 feet above the air. “Goodbye Mr. Bond” the villain cries gleefully, suddenly pushing 007 out of the plane. Tumbling towards his death, all Bond has on him is a coat hanger, a pair of suspenders, and some chewing gum. Can he construct a parachute and glide to safety before it’s too late?

Love and Marriage: When Bond stirs, he is shocked to find that he’s in a village in Africa. What’s more, while he was unconscious, a wedding ceremony took place where Bond became married to the tribal chiefs ugliest daughter. Upon awakening, Bond is informed by the chief that if he so much as attempts to flee the village, the men of the tribe will spear him to death, hollow out his skull, and use it as a musical instrument.

The Ultimate: Regaining consciousness, Bond realises that he’s been tied to a chair. There is dynamite strapped all over him and the chair as well. Two burly commandos stand on either side of Bond, both holding machine guns. Surrounding them is a 12-foot circular moat ceeming with sharks and piranhas. Around the moat are six guards at equal intervals around the circle, each with rocket launchers aimed directly at Bond. All this, is right in the middle of 50 sq mile mind field. Good luck Mr. Bond.

Of all the “snake pit” situations Bond has been in, so far Mr. Bigs Crocodile Farm has come the closest to bringing him to his downfall. But perhaps one of these “snake pits”, if used by a world domination seeking maniac one day, could be the one that finished off 007 once and for all.

Until next time,

Freemo

Ford Release James Bond Edition Thunderbird

To celebrate the collaboration of the Ford Motor Company and James Bond – Ford plan to release 700 special limited editions of their Thunderbird model due for release in spring, 2003.

The car will be built to the same specification’s as the one driven by Halle Berry in Die Another Day. It will also feature the specially produced “coral” paint colour as well as the 007 logo to feature prominently on its bodywork. Jan Valentic, vice president of Ford’s global marketing described product placement in the James Bond series by saying:

There’s no single product placement in the industry more iconic than James Bond’s car.”

And Ford make full use of this quote in the latest James Bond movie by also equipping producers with a 460-horsepower Aston Martin V12 Vanquish, and a 400-horsepower Jaguar XKR Roadster.

The news of the new car was announced this Thursday by Valentic, and follows on from previous James Bond car manufacturer BMW, who produced a limited edition – 007 edition Z3 model, which was built to the same specifications as the one driven by Pierce Brosnan in 1995’s GoldenEye. This move by BMW made them the talk of the marketing world and the car sold out within a matter of hours. Valentic also said;

No other films better capture the aggressive performance of the chase scene and sex appeal of the spy game better than the James Bond films.

Although the series is a marketers dream come true, to advertise in a James Bond film does not come cheap. It was rumoured that Ford is spending $70 million on its James Bond promotional deal. However, Valentic told reporters that this number was incorrect and has refused to reveal the correct amount.

The coral coloured Thunderbird will be produced beginning Spring 2003, however with such a small number being built, and the added appeal of James Bond, they are expected to sell very quickly. A final price has not yet been revealed, however pre-orders are thought to be taking place.

Lazenby, Maud, Munro in LA on Oct 5 & 6

CBn Forum user ‘Zencat’ has written in with a small note of an appearance to be made by George Lazenby, Maud Adams, and Caroline Munro shortly in Los Angeles at a collectors show;

George Lazenby, Maud Adams, and Caroline Munro will all be at the HOLLYWOOD COLLECTORS & CELEBRITIES SHOW on Oct. 5th and 6th. They’ll be signing their own pics and whatever else you bring along (for a small fee). This show is held 3 or 4 times a year at the Beverly Garland Holiday Inn near Universal Studios. Bond celebs frequently appear at these shows.

More info here.

Thanks to Zencat for the news!

CBn Is Back…As Promised

Around a month ago, it didn’t look as though CBn would survive. However, the team have been hard at work the last month, and today we present back to you, CBn.

For regular CBn visitors, you’ll notice the return of the “Latest Post” feature at the top right of all pages. This keeps you up-to-date on the discussions going on in the CBn Forums which have recently reached the 1000 member mile stone. Also, the Search function is back so that visitors can search through our content, and for your convienience, we’ve added a small search box on each page, over on the right hand column.

Due to the legal pressures we’ve had, the site has been forced to create new graphics for the entire site. The CBn Team have been hard at work all the time we’ve been down, creating new graphics for the films, games and other sections all around the site.

In addition, for the safety of the fans, the producers of the James Bond films stated that we had to remove all images from the films etc.

A big thankyou to Greg for working hard and taking up his time while on Holiday to complete the new web script for CBn. Thanks for putting up with me 😉 Another big thankyou to Evan for the new CBn graphics – even with the legal barriers, the graphics have come out looking fantastic.

A big thankyou all the rest of the team who’ve helped the site get through the last traumatic month, and I ask everyone to raise their martini’s to the future of CBn!

“We were shaken, but not stirred.”