Welcome To "Casino Royale" Mr. Bond

[Dapper Dan]

Welcome To "Casino Royale" Mr. Bond
Posted: Friday February 4th, 2005 10:21pm
Source: Commander Bond
Author: Garth Franklin

In an official press release today, it's been confirmed that "Casino Royale" will be the next James Bond film under the helm of "Goldeneye" director Martin Campbell. Here's a copy of the release, courtesy of the Commander Bond guys:

"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'."

No word as yet as to whether it will use all, some or none of the original Ian Fleming novel. First published in 1953, "Casino Royale" was the first James Bond novel and its tone bares little resemblance to either its 1967 film spoof or MGM's Bond movies as the original Bond novels were much darker and more serious than their film counterparts. This one in particular was more downbeat and less glossy than others in the series and includes a legendary torture scene.

In the original story, 'M' sends Commander Bond to the gambling tables of the French Riviera to thwart an enemy Russian spy, Le Chiffre, in his attempts to win back multi-millions of KGB funds which he had lost through an ill-advised investment. The catch is the Russian secret service is on LeChiffe's tail and so the man has hired his own assassins to make sure he gets through the games and wins.

[Dapper Dan]

Director Martin Campell on Casino Royale


Source: New York Daily News
February 24, 2005




Martin Campbell, who directed Pierce Brosnan's first turn as James Bond in Goldeneye, is returning for the 21st film Casino Royale, based on the first Bond adventure written by Ian Fleming in 1953. MGM is targeting for a November, 2006 release.

The director talked to the New York Daily News about the movie, which will feature a new actor as 007. "There are things that will have to be changed from the original novel," says Campbell. "The Cold War elements will have to be reconfigured, for example, but 'Casino Royale' will be a grittier, tougher and more realistic Bond movie.

"We'll be getting away from the huge visual effects kind of films," he added. "In the new film, Bond is essentially starting out in his career, and has just recently become part of the double-0 section."

"The idea is to put a bit of the dash back in Bond. By the end of the movie, the character will have been forged into the wiser, harder Bond we know."

Visit the link above for more of the interview, which does include plot spoilers from the novel.

[Dapper Dan]

Match Round 007: Owen vs. Craig
Posted: Saturday February 26th, 2005 2:27pm
Source: UK Yahoo
Author: Garth Franklin

UK Yahoo reports that Clive Owen ("Closer", "King Arthur") and Daniel Craig ("Tomb Raider", "Road to Perdition") are fighting it out to become the sixth James Bond, insiders say. Executives for the next movie will choose either Owen or Craig to succeed Pierce Brosnan for the next film, "Casino Royale".

Owen, 40, and Craig, 37, are said to have beaten off competition from early contenders such as Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Ewan McGregor & Colin Farrell. A source told tabloid The Sun: "They're both good looking and charming, but also have that dangerous edge. We feel they are the real deal. The million-dollar question is which one will get it. There have been lots of potential candidates but these two really fit the bill."

Meanwhile "Nip/Tuck" hunk Julian McMahon, 36, claimed a few hours earlier he was also on the shortlist: "I met the producers for a final audition. They told me to expect a decision in a couple of months and they said it was between me and one other person. It's going to be a very nervous wait."

Thank god all the speculation will soon be over in any case. For now these rumours are still just that - Brit tabloid gossip. On a personal front I say Clive all the way - he's the best looking and most talented of the three by far (pay him whatever he wants), although Craig would make for a decent Bond baddie actually.

McMahon as Bond? It might go over in the States, but international audiences have a hard time forgetting his soapie work from the early 90's (far more people worldwide remember him for "Home and Away" than "Nip/Tuck"). More importantly however, he doesn't have that dark edge the other two have that's so necessary for the part.

Thanks to 'BJ'.

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Julian McMahon a Frontrunner for 007?

Source: The Mirror
February 25, 2005



While he previously was believed to have passed on the role due to his Nip/Tuck schedule, UK's The Mirror now says Julian McMahon is one of two frontrunners for James Bond in the upcoming Casino Royale.

The 36-year-old Australian reportedly said: "I'm a big James Bond fan. I met the producers for a final audition. They told me to expect a decision in a couple of months and they said it was between me and one other person. It's going to be a very nervous wait."

The other person in the frame is believed to be British actor Clive Owen.

McMahon will next be seen on the big screen as Dr. Doom in 20th Century Fox's Fantastic Four.

[Dapper Dan]

Owen Finally Confirmed as Sixth Bond?


Source: IESB
March 29, 2005




After years of rumor and speculation, actor Clive Owen may finally have been nailed down for the role that everyone on the planet seems to think he should play!

The Movie Reporter at IESB has a picture of Owen with the enigmatic caption:

"BREAKING NEWS Clive Owen confirmed to be the next James Bond? More Details to Follow 3/28/05"

If what currently is still just a rumor turns out to be true, Owen will follow the likes of Sean Connery, Roger Moore and most recently Pierce Brosnan as agent 007 in the upcoming adaptation of Ian Fleming's Casino Royale, the 21st James Bond film. That title was originally used for a 1967 spy spoof starring Peter Sellers, David Niven and Woody Allen, but this would be the first time that Fleming's novel would be given the "Broccoli treatment."

Martin Campbell, who directed Owen with Angelina Jolie in Beyond Borders, has already been hired to direct the 21st Bond film.

[Dapper Dan]

Bond Speculators Will Pierce Brosnan return as 007?
After all the denials, he may return for two more films
by Michael Slezak


THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN PARACHUTE Brosnan may reap more rewards before retiring his gun

Would all the nice young British actors please put down those martini glasses and step away from the Aston Martin? According to a report in Variety magazine, rumors that Pierce Brosnan's reign as 007 has come to an end may have been premature.

Speculation about who'll play the title role in the next James Bond film has been simmering for months, reaching a fever pitch in the last few days as Sony completes its deal to acquire MGM, the studio behind the Bond franchise. While British tabloids this week reported little-known Daniel Craig (Enduring Love) was about to ink a deal to play the dashing British agent, Variety quoted U.S. sources as saying he was no more a frontrunner than previously mentioned hopefuls Clive Owen, Dominic West, Gerard Butler, and Julian McMahon.

Furthermore, the entertainment trade publication reported on other sources as saying Brosnan — who has played Bond in the series' last four films — was back in the picture, working on a $40 million deal with the Broccoli family (who control the franchise) to return to the coveted role for two more pictures. Other rumors had Brosnan returning for only one film, which would be followed in quick succession by a second flick introducing a new 007.

MGM denied any decision had been made, while Brosnan's reps denied the actor was in negotiations to die another day.