Activision registers new GoldenEye game domain name

A new take on GoldenEye may be on the cards after all for Activision.

As some CommanderBond.net readers will recall, this past October it was rumoured that the company was possibly going to revive the classic James Bond title when an animator’s resume appeared online and included a mysterious credit for “GoldenEye 2010 (Wii)”.

Now heads are turning once again as Joystiq reports that Activision has registered the domain name goldeneyegame.com.

Assuming that the credit on the animator’s resume was true, then it’s a possibility that Activision is securing the domain name in advance of making an official announcement. To date, there has been no comment of any kind from the company regarding the GoldenEye 2010 rumours.

As soon as we hear more on the matter, we’ll be sure to let you know.

Latest issue of Her Majesty's Secret Servant now online

Attention 007 fans: the latest issue of Her Majesty’s Secret Servant – The Essential James Bond is now online. Check it out at www.hmss.com.

Some things to look out for…

The past couple of issues have brought you our rankings of the James Bond movies, and the villains that inhabit and drive these films that we all love. We all also love the Bond girls that are such an integral part of the series; now we catalog and rank our favorites of this distinguished company (we also review the ones we deem the hottest—and damn the political correctness).

Speaking of cataloging, senior editor Ed Werner gets way-deep into the collectible goodies spawned by On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. On the eve of the hotly-anticipated Iron Man sequel, The Other Spies’ maven Bill Koenig takes us back to the 1960s, in his review of Tony Stark’s Cold War career. Tom Zielinski tries to piece together what went wrong when the so-called ‘Blofeld Trilogy’ made it to the big screen. And Paul Baack wanders in with some gibberish about appreciating Roger Moore’s take on portraying Ian Fleming’s immortal superspy—we are outraged, and we wouldn’t read it if we were you.

Visit Her Majesty’s Secret Servant for the complete issue.

Keep turning to the CommanderBond.net main page and our Discussion Forums for the most up-to-date James Bond coverage on the web.

Florida Orchestra presents Classic James Bond on 21-23 May

In a night of ‘symphonic espionage’ relive the thrills, the spills and the ever-so-cool chills of 007… ‘Bond, James Bond’… with hits from Goldfinger, From Russia with Love, Thunderball, Casino Royale, Diamonds are Forever, Live and Let Die and other films…

The Florida Orchestra will be providing three such nights in late May for Bond fans in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater. Presented as part of their pops series, the Classic James Bond concert will feature noted conductor Carl Davis and vocalist Mary Carewe.

The times and dates for the concerts are as follows:

• Friday, 21 May – 8:00pm (Tampa)
• Saturday, 22 May – 8:00pm (St. Petersburg)
• Sunday, 23 May – 7:30pm (Clearwater)

The Florida Orchestra ticket center is located at: 244 2nd Avenue North, St. Petersburg, Florida 33701.

For further information or to purchase tickets, phone 727-892-3337 (1-800-662-7286) or visit the official website.

For up-to-the-minute James Bond coverage, always turn your browsers to the CommanderBond.net main page and our Discussion Forums.

Gemma Arterton: James Bond will survive

News Release – Gemma Arterton is sure James Bond will bounce back from its financial troubles, putting the legendary film franchise on hold.

Gemma Arterton

The 24-year-old actress played Bond girl Strawberry Fields opposite current 007 Daniel Craig in Quantum Of Solace in 2008.

Gemma said: ‘It shows the state of the film industry at the moment, especially the British film industry. Fingers crossed—it’s James Bond so it has to continue and it will. It’s just a minor blip.’

EON Productions have blamed the financial difficulties of MGM studios, which is reported to have a 3.7 billion-dollar (£2.4 billion) debt.

J Blakeson, who directs Gemma in their latest film The Disappearance Of Alice Creed, feels British film is thriving.

He said: ‘James Bond is funded by an American studio anyway. Obviously it’s very good for the technicians, it’s made by British people. But most of the money that gets made from James Bond films doesn’t stay in Britain so it doesn’t fuel our industry very much.

‘I think there’s a real good wave of up and coming filmmakers at the moment, it’s quite exciting.’

As always, CommanderBond.net will keep you updated with all the latest news circling Bond 23.

Will James Bond be back in Bloodstone?

The first rumoured title for Activision’s forthcoming James Bond video game has hit the net: Bloodstone.

As reported at CVG, the title has appeared accompanying Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii listings for the 007 game here at HMV.

While the online retailer does not go into specifics regarding the game’s release date, they do list it as a ‘driving game’. As some CommanderBond.net readers will recall, an estimated October 2010 release date for the Bond game was leaked online late last month.

Earlier this year, Activision stated that their follow-up to 2008’s Quantum of Solace was still on track for a release in the second half of 2010. This racing-oriented Bond title was originally due out in September 2009 until the company elected to delay the release.

Be sure to keep checking the CBn main page and our Discussion Forums for all the latest news as it becomes available.

Bond with Charlie Higson at the Hay Festival on 5 June

Young James Bond author Charlie Higson will once again be attending this year’s Guardian Hay Festival in the UK.

Charlie Higson

The Young Bond Dossier reports that a conversation with the Bond author is scheduled to take place on Saturday, 5 June at 2:30pm.

The venue for this event is the Oxfam Studio. Tickets are £5.00 per person and can be purchased online here.

The Guardian Hay Festival runs from Thursday, 27 May through Sunday, 6 June. For complete details on the guests attending and a round-up of all the events, email [email protected] or visit the official website.

Be sure to stay tuned to the CommanderBond.net main page (and our Discussion Forums) for all the latest news from the world of Young Bond.

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

SilverFin – Literary 007 Coverage

Blood Fever – Literary 007 Coverage

Double or Die – Literary 007 Coverage

Hurricane Gold – Literary 007 Coverage

By Royal Command – Literary 007 Coverage

The Charlie Higson CBn Interview

The Charlie Higson CBn Interview II

CBn Reviews Young Bond #1: SilverFin

CBn Reviews Young Bond #2: Blood Fever

CBn Reviews Young Bond #3: Double Or Die

CBn Reviews Young Bond #4: Hurricane Gold

CBn Reviews SilverFin: The Graphic Novel

Pinewood Studios submits its Project Pinewood appeal

Pinewood Studios has submitted to the Planning Inspectorate its appeal against the refusal of planning permission for Project Pinewood by South Bucks District Council (SBDC). The planning application for Project Pinewood, an innovative and groundbreaking proposal to create a purpose-built living and working community for film, television and the creative industries, was submitted to SBDC in June 2009. The proposal was refused at planning committee in October 2009.

Pinewood and its advisors have continued to discuss issues relating to the planning application and appeal with key stakeholders since determination of the planning application. This is part of an ongoing programme of consultation which will continue over the coming months. The Planning Inspectorate will now determine the appropriate means of progressing the case and Pinewood will continue to work closely with
stakeholders throughout this process.

Project Pinewood will build on Pinewood’s success and reputation and enable it to remain at the forefront of international film and television production. The project will comprise a purpose-built living and working community for film, television and the creative industries. Located next to and linked with Pinewood, it will also provide a hub for the growth of the UK’s international status as a centre for creative excellence. It is estimated that Project Pinewood will create approximately 960 permanent jobs and generate over £60 million per annum of Gross Value Added to the UK economy. A significant proportion of the employment generated by Project Pinewood would be available to residents of the region.

A key element of Project Pinewood is its emphasis on developing skills in the creative industries. Building on the recent launch of Pinewood’s new apprenticeship scheme, a purpose-built Screen Crafts Academy will provide opportunities and facilities for vocational education, training and employment.

Speaking about the appeal submission, Andrew M. Smith, Group Director Corporate Affairs for Pinewood commented: “Project Pinewood is just as important as ever to the UK. Locally, unemployment in South Bucks rose by approximately 57% in 2009. It is also essential for the UK’s creative industries. Recent estimates have shown that the creative industries account for 6.2% of Gross Value Added in the UK, underlining the importance of the sector to the UK economy.”

“This proposal has received widespread support from sections of the local community as well as a broad range of business leaders and industry commentators. This is a project of national and regional significance and the economic benefits will be considerable.”

Visit www.pinewoodgroup.com for more information on Pinewood Studios.

Visit www.projectpinewood.com for more information on Project Pinewood.

Stay tuned to the CommanderBond.net main page and be sure to visit our Discussion Forums for all the latest 007 news from the world of James Bond.

Speculation mounts over Bond 23 delay

Today’s announcement that development of Bond 23 has been suspended has left the 007 fan community in shock.

With news of the film’s postponement spreading throughout the world, MGM have so far declined to comment, leaving speculation to mount over what this means for the future of the franchise – and the studio.

On industry blog Deadline Hollywood, Nikki Fenke and Mike Fleming speculate that the announcement was made to signal to MGM that Eon will not proceed to develop the film while the studio remains beset with financial difficulties.

A source told the site, “It feels like Eon is sending a message to MGM. If they try to continue as a standalone studio, don’t expect to be making any Bond films.”

The speculation is in line with previous reports suggesting Eon won’t proceed with development of Bond 23 while MGM’s future remains in question.

Elsewhere, The Hollywood Reporter claims some parties have been suggesting MGM may sell off its rights to co-produce the Bond films in order to raise more capital.

Meanwhile, Daniel Craig is reportedly backing Eon’s decision to halt development of the latest James Bond film. BBC News quotes the actor as saying, “I have every confidence in Barbara [Broccoli] and Michael [G. Wilson]’s decision and look forward to production resuming as quickly as possible.”

Keep watching CommanderBond.net for more on this story as it breaks.

Bond 23 delayed indefinitely

Eon Productions today announced development of the 23rd James Bond film has been suspended indefinitely.

Bond 23 delayed indefinitely

LONDON, April 19, 2010 — 007 producers, Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli of EON Productions, today announced they have suspended development on the next James Bond film previously scheduled for release 2011/2012.

“Due to the continuing uncertainty surrounding the future of MGM and the failure to close a sale of the studio, we have suspended development on BOND 23 indefinitely. We do not know when development will resume and do not have a date for the release of BOND 23,” stated Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli jointly.

EON Productions have produced twenty two James Bond films since 1962. In 1995, Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli took over the 007 franchise from Albert R ‘Cubby’ Broccoli and are responsible for producing some of the most successful James Bond films ever, including CASINO ROYALE and more recently QUANTUM OF SOLACE. The James Bond franchise is the longest running in film history. EON Productions and Danjaq LLC are affiliate companies and control all worldwide merchandising for James Bond.

While no official release date had been announced for Bond 23, producers were understood to be aiming for the film to hit cinemas in 2011. Following this statement, it appears unlikely Bond 23 will be released in 2011 or 2012.

Recent rumours had suggested development of the film was continuing, despite the uncertain situation at MGM. This appears not to be the case.

Eon have made no statement about the ongoing involvement of any of its screenwriters (Neal Purvis, Robert Wade and Peter Morgan), or Sam Mendes, who has been rumoured to direct.

Reuters unsuccessfully attempted to reach MGM for comment.

The future of MGM remains in doubt with the studio struggling under the weight of a $3.7 billion debt. MGM has received a series of underwhelming bids from rival studios after it was put up for sale last November. Variety claims the bids it has received are around half a billion dollars less than the amount being sought by MGM and some of its debt holders. Meanwhile, other debt holders are said to be prolonging the process in an effort to save the studio.

Keep watching CommanderBond.net for more on this story as it breaks.

Bond Girls and Bond Villains join DK's 007 book line-up

As regular CommanderBond.net readers are likely aware, we recently reported that publisher Dorling Kindersley (DK) would be releasing two new James Bond titles this upcoming May: The Book of Bond—the Style, the Story, the Excitement and Bond Cars and Vehicles—the Classic Cars, the Air and Sea Vehicles, the Secret Weapons.

Today we can report on two additional 007 titles that will hit bookshelves in September. Created in full collaboration with EON Productions, they are: The Bond Girls—the Good, the Bad, the Dangerous and The Bond Villains—the Evil Geniuses, the Henchmen, the Masterplans.

Alastair Dougall, senior editor at DK, told the Bookseller that the idea behind the series was to provide edited highlights of the Bond films. ‘If you get all four titles you get fantastic visuals of all the aspects of the Bond scenarios and you can see the films from a different perspective.’

All four titles proceed through the films chronologically from 1962’s Dr. No through 2008’s Quantum of Solace. Dougall said the books are ‘fun and accessible’ with images running across spreads, and quotes, which ‘capture the spirit of the movies’.

He added: ‘They will appeal to fans and they will appeal to people who remember the Bond films and want to re-experience and re-enjoy them.’

Amazon pre-order links follow below:

• Order The Book of Bond from Amazon.co.uk
• Order The Book of Bond from Amazon.com

• Order Bond Cars and Vehicles from Amazon.co.uk
• Order Bond Cars and Vehicles from Amazon.com

• Order The Bond Girls—the Good, the Bad, the Dangerous from Amazon.co.uk
• Order The Bond Girls—the Good, the Bad, the Dangerous from Amazon.com

• Order The Bond Villains—the Evil Geniuses, the Henchmen, the Masterplans from Amazon.co.uk
• Order The Bond Villains—the Evil Geniuses, the Henchmen, the Masterplans from Amazon.com

Keep your browsers locked on the CommanderBond.net main page and our Discussion Forums for all the latest literary 007 coverage and news.