Four James Bond film cast members to attend Stars of Time event

Four James Bond film stars have been confirmed to be attending the upcoming Stars of Time event to be held in Somerset, UK.

Shirley Eaton (Jill Masterson in Goldfinger), Britt Ekland (Mary Goodnight in The Man with the Golden Gun), Caroline Munro (Naomi in The Spy Who Loved Me) and Jeremy Bulloch (Smithers in For Your Eyes Only and Octopussy) will all be present at the 1 May 2010 event.

In addition to meeting with the stars and getting autographs, guests will be able to visit the dealers room to search for collectibles, join in on photo opportunities, participate in themed face painting and much more.

The Stars of Time event will be taking place on Saturday, 1 May 2010 at the The Winter Gardens, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, UK from 10:30am to 5:00pm.

For ticket prices and further information on attending, phone 07717 193528 or 01278 641503 or visit the official website.

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WWII unit T-Force that inspired Ian Fleming gets bravery recognition

An elite fighting force from World War Two which inspired James Bond creator Ian Fleming has received an official bravey recognition more than 65 years since they were last in action.

Ian Fleming’s Moonraker

The Daily Mail reports that the Target Force unit, also known as T-Force were a lightly armed and highly mobile unit, tasked with capturing Nazi scientific and technical military materials.

Surviving members have been officially thanked for their services in letter of appreciation from army chief, Sir David Richards.

A link has been shown to possibly exist between Fleming’s experiences serving in the unit and his 1955 James Bond novel Moonraker. Further information on this is available in Sean Longden’s book T-Force: The Race for Nazi War Secrets, 1945, which was published last year in the UK.

While never meeting Fleming personally, Fred Tapper, who served as a bomb disposal expert in the squadron, stated: ‘He got the inspiration for James Bond when we stormed a chateau in search of military secrets before the Russians got there.’

‘I suppose I was a bit like James Bond. I can see that’s where he got his ideas from.’

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Pierce Brosnan signs up for Salvation Boulevard

Former James Bond star Pierce Brosnan has signed up to star in the indie film Salvation Boulevard.

Variety reports that Brosnan will be joined by Ed Harris and Jim Gaffigan in the project for the newly launched Mandalay Vision.

Pierce Brosnan

The film is expected to begin shooting this May. Detroit Monday notes that the Michigan city may serve as a prime filming location.

A comedy-thriller, Salvation Boulevard is set in the world of mega-churches in which a former Deadhead-turned-born again-Christian finds himself on the run from fundamentalist members of his mega-church who will do anything to protect their larger-than-life pastor.

Joshua‘s George Ratliff will direct from a screenplay he wrote alongside Douglas Stone, based on the book of the same name by Larry Beinhart.

Cathy Schulman and Celine Rattray of Mandalay Vision will produce.

As always, keep turning to the CommanderBond.net main page and our Discussion Forums for all the latest news from the world of James Bond.

Ian Fleming: The Man Behind James Bond audio editions in August '10

Following up last year’s re-release of Andrew Lycett’s indepth Ian Fleming biography in the US, two new audiobook editions of Ian Fleming: The Man Behind James Bond will also be available to purchase later this year.

Due out in August 2010, Blackstone Audio will release the Fleming biography on both Audio and MP3 CD formats, retailing for $39.95 and $44.95, respectively.

Ian Fleming’s life was just as dramatic as that of his fictional creation—James Bond 007. Andrew Lycett’s direct access to Fleming’s family, friends and contemporaries has enabled him to reveal—for the first time—the truth behind the complicated façade of this enigmatic and remarkable man.

With an extraordinary cast of characters, this is biography at its best—part history part gossip, part informed reassessment of one of the century’s most celebrated yet mysterious personalities.

• Order the US Audio CD edition of Ian Fleming: The Man Behind James Bond from Amazon.com
• Order the US MP3 CD edition of Ian Fleming: The Man Behind James Bond from Amazon.com

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

David Arnold discusses James Bond and beyond in new audio interview

A special edition of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra’s podcast for February 2010 features an all-new audio interview with five-time James Bond composer David Arnold.

James Bond composer David Arnold

The interview, with questions posed by Tommy Pearson, followed a sold-out CBSO Friday Night Classics concert featuring music from the movies in which Arnold was the special guest (music from Arnold’s scores for Independence Day and Casino Royale were performed during the concert).

Arnold talks about the thrill of hearing his music played live by a world-class orchestra in a concert hall, how he creates a score for a film, working with directors, dealing with the business of movies and what it’s like to write music for the world’s best known secret agent—having handled the music for every 007 film from Tomorrow Never Dies through and including Quantum of Solace. A revealing look into the life of one of the UK’s most successful composers.

Listen to the David Arnold audio interview
(courtesy of the CBSO Podcast)

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Bond girl Gemma Arterton hits the cover of GQ

British actress and Bond girl Gemma Arterton hits the cover of the forthcoming edition of GQ Magazine.

Gemma Arterton

In the April issue of the magazine, which goes on sale this week, the Quantum of Solace star discusses the issue of whether or not she was ‘hot enough’ to star in a James Bond film. The Daily Mail lets readers decide for themselves by posting a stripped-down shot of Arterton from the magazine on their website—click here to view.

She states: ‘In comparison to many actresses I think I’m really average. When I got the Bond film there was this big hoo-ha about me not being hot enough. I have to say, I agree. I don’t think I’m in that realm.’

There are some really beautiful actresses, like [fellow Bond girl] Olga Kurylenko, who find it difficult. It’s frustrating for her but she’s so beautiful that it’s like someone having a massive nose: you are going to take that into consideration when you’re casting her. Whereas I can change my look.’

Following her success in 2007’s St. Trinian’s, 2008 saw Arteton star in Guy Ritchie’s RocknRolla and appear alongside Daniel Craig for his second 007 outing. She will next be seen in the big Hollywood productions Clash of the Titans and Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, both due out this year.

‘I hope people don’t see me just as a Bond girl,’ Arterton admits. ‘I hope they’ll soon see my [other] work and think differently.’

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Charlie Higson's Hurricane Gold arrives on audiobook in US

Charlie Higson’s Hurricane Gold

Charlie Higson’s Hurricane Gold arrives on audiobook today in the US.

Young James Bond fans can now pick up Higson’s fourth novel in the series in the just-released audiobook format from Blackstone. The title is available as a 6-CD set, 6-cassette set and on MP3 and is read by Gerard Doyle.

As previously noted on CommanderBond.net, Blackstone has taken over the publication duties for the Young Bond titles on audiobook in the US. They will be releasing Higson’s By Royal Command this May. The three of the previous Higson Bond books were released under the Random House Listening Library label.

Order Hurricane Gold from Amazon.com:

• Order the US audiobook edition of Hurricane Gold from Amazon.com (CD)
• Order the US audiobook edition of Hurricane Gold from Amazon.com (Cassette)
• Order the US audiobook edition of Hurricane Gold from Amazon.com (MP3)

Be sure to keep checking the CommanderBond.net main page and our Discussion Forums for all the latest Young Bond-related news.

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

James Bond: Licence To Quote: The Quotable Double-0 Seven

A brand new book for the James Bond fan is on store shelves this month in the US.

Available now is James Bond: Licence To Quote: The Quotable Double-0 Seven, compiled and edited by Colin M. Jarman, containing more than 1,500 quotes about the world’s most famous British spy.

Published in paperback by Blue Eyed Books, James Bond: Licence To Quote: The Quotable Double-0 Seven retails for $13.99. The publisher’s blurb follows below:

James Bond: Licence To Quote: The Quotable Double-0 Seven

1500 Humorous Quotes about the world’s favorite spy … Licence To Quote is the first quotations book solely dedicated to the ever-expanding universe that surrounds James Bond.

This book of humorous quotes is all about the lighter side of Double-0 Seven—his books, his movies, his life, world, & his cultural footprint. Licence To Quote turns the tables on the world’s favorite secret agent and turns the spotlight on him. A Who’s Who of observers and commentators—from all over the globe—take dead aim at James Bond: man and myth. Comical contributions come from his creators, his critics, his biographers, his imitators, his fans and from selected media sources including film, TV, fansites, etc. The depth and diversity of subject matter in this book clearly demonstrates the incredible level of recognition and the extraordinary fan-base Bond has built up since he first appeared in 1953. For well over fifty years, 007 has been at the summit of the best-seller’s list, on top of the cinema box-office and still remains at the forefront of the world’s consciousness. His iconic image and cultural accessories are legendary and Licence To Quote celebrates that legend.

“James Bond was a suave intellectual who could slice through life’s difficulties with the ruthless efficiency of Oddjob’s hat.” WILLIAM GRIMES in The New York Times (1991) … “I wish he’d get back to the days when Bond head-butted Curt Jürgens in the face, blew up Donald Pleasence’s volcano and went to bed with Barbara Bach.” JEREMY CLARKSON in The Sunday Times (2009) … “Everyone in Bond is named after somebody Ian Fleming knew. Pussy Galore was probably his cleaning lady.” SINCLAIR MACKAY, The Man with the Golden Touch (2008) … for more details go to www.LicenseToQuote.com

Order James Bond: Licence To Quote: The Quotable Double-0 Seven from Amazon.com:

• Order James Bond: Licence To Quote: The Quotable Double-0 Seven from Amazon.com

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Pierce Brosnan ponders writing his memoirs

According to a brief audio interview posted at Hollywood Outbreak, former James Bond star Pierce Brosnan is contemplating sitting down and writing his memoirs.

As many 007 fans are aware, Brosnan is currently headlining Roman Polanski’s critically-praised thriller The Ghost Writer alongside Ewan McGregor after it premiered last month at the Berlin International Film Festival.

In the interview, Brosnan states: ‘There have been a few articles, pieces and books that have been written without my consent that have been written. So I have started in the last few years ruminating in who I am, where I’ve been, what I’ve done… some tapestry of a life lived.’

Pierce Brosnan and Ewan McGregor in The Ghost Writer

He continues: ‘There’s headings, I’ve started with a few headings… some of them are haikus of time and some of them have got a chapter, maybe! I don’t know, I’ll stitch something together.’

When asked if he would hire a ghost writer, Brosnan replies: ‘Oh, I think it’ll be my good wife, you know, she’s a fine writer. I hadn’t thought about having a ghost writer. Having come down the road 56 years, you kind of ruminate on life, and especially when you get asked the question time and time again, you know. You’ve lived a bit of time.’

2008 saw the publication of Sir Roger Moore’s memoirs, My Word is My Bond and Sir Sean Connery’s Being a Scot, which mixed together a study of Scotland’s history and culture and an account of the actor’s life.

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David Hedison joins cast of Agatha Christie's Spider's Web

David Hedison

Two-time James Bond film star David Hedison will be making an appearance at the Writers Guild Theatre in California at the end of this month.

007 fans will be able to see Hedison perform in a presentation of Agatha Christie’s Spider’s Web. The show will be performed on Saturday, 27 March at 8:00pm and again on Sunday, 28 March at 2:00pm.

Fans best know Hedison as ally Felix Leiter from both Live and Let Die and Licence to Kill.

Tickets to attend the Spider’s Web performances are available at soapfanmysterytheatre.com and include free parking. The Writers Guild Theatre is located at 135 South Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills, California 90211.

As always, keep your browsers locked on the CommanderBond.net main page and our Discussion Forums for all the latest 007 news from the world of James Bond.