Details on the next installment of the world’s favourite spy with a license to kill are starting to emerge with casting updates, as well as story clues and shooting locations. Due to MGM’s money problems the next Bond adventure has seen numerous delays which have made this the longest gap between Bond flicks without a change in actor. Oscar winning director Sam Mendes has long been attached to direct the 23rd Bond flick and with the announcement of the studio’s financial bailout, the production is now rapidly moving forward with shooting set to commence this November.
During the year long limbo the script has gone through a few changes. Initially original series writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade were collaborating with Peter Morgan of ‘Frost/Nixon’ fame, however after the new deal was made it was revealed that ‘Gladiator’ screenwriter John Logan would be taking over scripting duties. Earlier this month, news spread across the net like wildfire that the title of the next Bond flick had been disclosed, namely ‘Carte Blanche’, based on the recently published 007 novel from Jeffrey Deaver. This was in part due to a story which reported that Serbian cellist Jelena Mihailovic had been approached by producers to work on the movie’s theme and the title of the next film was said to be ‘Carte Blanche’. Another link to the novel were reports that producers were trying to get permission to shoot a thrilling action sequence aboard trains in India, the okay was just granted as the country did not wish their transport system to be portrayed negatively. News of the planned action sequence fueled speculation of the similarities to the novel that sees a terrorist like threat on board a train that Bond averts. EON Productions recently dismissed these rumours stating: The new film is not going to be called Carte Blanche and will have nothing to do with the Jeffery Deaver book.
With pre-production in full swing, star Daniel Craig is preparing for months of training which isn’t something the actor is looking forward to. Recently on the promotional trail for ‘Cowboys and Aliens’ which wasn’t the success many had hoped, he spoke with the Sydney Morning Herald about his preparation to play Bond again and the many months he’ll spend in the gym. “It’s really boring. So boring I can’t tell you.”
With all the delays, the yet untitled Bond flick should have the advantage of a worthwhile story, though as Craig revealed ‘Quantum of Solace’ was made in the midst of the writers’ strike and ditched much of the subtly of ‘Casino Royale’ in favour of excessive action set pieces. Rumour has it that he contemplated departing the role after sustaining injuries and finishing the shoot with his arm in a sling and eight stitches in his face. “Quantum was very physical,” he says. “Probably too physical. We were suffering because there was the writers’ strike and we weren’t allowed to do rewrites, so the action sequences got juggled together and I personally ended up doing way too much. It was difficult.”
As for casting, a recent shake up sorts announced Naomie Harris would be taking over the role of Ms. Moneypenny, a character who’s been absent from recent flicks. It’s thought that this shift in casting will also allow the character to be more current and somewhat removed from the pining secretary of the earlier films. Javier Bardem has long been tipped as the film’s bad guy with Ralph Fiennes also said to be playing a character “of extreme complexity”, Rhys Ifans has also nabbed a role, though at this stage their parts are closely guarded secrets.
James Bond 23 is set to open in the U.K. on October 26th and the U.S. on November 9, 2012.
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