Just a couple of days ago, we got the first official image of Daniel Craig reprising his role as the iconic James Bond in the upcoming Skyfall, previously known as Bond 23, apparently superseding what we’d thought was the first official image that surfaced last month.

We’ve now got some excellent new photos of Craig on the set of the film, via ComingSoon.net and SpoilerTV. Skyfall is currently filming here in the UK in London, and we can look forward to its release later this year in October. Over at 007.com, you can see the time countdown to the day of release – as time of writing, it stands at 265 days, 04 hours, 38 minutes, and 56 seconds.

“In SKYFALL, Bond’s loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.”

Along with Craig, the film has a tremendous supporting cast that includes Javier Bardem, Dame Judi Dench, Ralph Fiennes, Ben Whishaw, Bérénice Marlohe, Albert Finney, Naomie Harris, Helen McCrory, and Ola Rapace.

Sam Mendes, who won an Academy Award with his feature debut for American Beauty, will be behind the camera for this, with the script coming from long-time Bond writing duo Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, as well as one of my favourite screenwriters of all time, John Logan (Gladiator, The Last Samurai).

Skyfall will be with us here in the UK on 26^th October, so just another eight and a half months to go until we get to see Craig return in one of the roles that made him famous. As usual, he looks awesome in these new photos from the set, which you can click to enlarge. And for all things Skyfall-related, just click right here.

A few weeks ago, we put up what we said was the first official image from James Bond 23 aka Skyfall. Well, turns out that wasn’t the first official image as this morning, via 007.com, Sony Pictures have released this first look image of Daniel Craig playing James Bond in the latest movie.

The last image shows Daniel Craig sitting by the pool at the Four Seasons hotel in London (and was a bit naff) and this image is rather a lot better and now I want to see more!! Check it out below and click it to enlarge.

Skyfall is directed by Sam Mendes and as well as Daniel Craig, stars Judi Dench, Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Ben Whishaw, Helen McCrory, Albert Finney. It’ll be with us October 26th later this year.

OK, I lied about the speedos but he is by a swimming pool! This has to be the most boring first image ever released by anyone ever! It is the first look at James Bond aka Daniel Craig in Bond 23 which has the title Skyfall. This photo was taken at the Four Seasons Hotel in London recently.

Skyfall is directed by Sam Mendes and as well as Daniel Craig, stars Judi Dench, Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Ben Whishaw, Helen McCrory, Albert Finney.

I don’t know what else to say about this image really other than Sony, please can we have some better ones in future? Thanks!

The movie is currently filming here in the UK and we snapped some set pics a week or so ago.

Source: Empire

Last night, , news broke that MGM will be releasing all the James Bond movies on remastered Blu-ray and they released a rather fabulous trailer to coincide with it. If you missed it, you can see the trailer here and pre-order the boxset here.

Now on the flip-side of that, we know that James Bond is not only a very cool British agent, but he’s also a womanising chauvinistic pig! But hey, he’s been doing this for 50 years now and I guess people sort of let that side of him slide. Or do we?!

This video from RunningConrners has done the rounds on twitter today I guess since people started hunting for more James Bond parody videos (this one is from October last year) and it’s so good, I had to share it with you. It basically used the famous James Bond theme song and add lyrics to it detailing exactly the sort of man James Bond is.

Please note that the video contains swearing and is therefore NSFW unless you have headphones or a very cool boss.

Enjoy!

We’re big fans of Bond, James Bond here at HeyUGuys and the announcement at CES2012 this evening from MGM and 20th Century Fox is a welcome one indeed. The entire collection of Bond films are heading to Blu-ray with a special Bond50 collection.

All twenty-two films are being given a HD polish, with nine films making their debut in high-definition and we are being promised some exclusive bonus content yet to be detailed. All you need is Alan Partridge doing the commentary tracks and it’ll be the ultimate collection.

Click here to pre-order your copy before it arrives October 1st 2012.

Here’s the launch trailer, crank it up all the way to 1080p and enjoy.

And don’t go anywhere without watching the animated packshot!

Here’s the box set picture which can be clicked to make it enormous.

Of the many films that we have to look forward to this year, the upcoming Skyfall, until recently known as Bond 23, is one of the biggest titles coming to us in 2012, and we’ve recently been getting a small flurry of news from the project since the official press conference back in November, all of which you can catch up on right here.

Directed by Sam Mendes (American Beauty), the film has a fantastic cast with Daniel Craig of course reprising his role as James Bond, supported by the likes of Javier Bardem in the villain’s role, Dame Judi Dench as M, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Ben Whishaw, Ola Rapace, Helen McCrory, and Albert Finney.

“In SKYFALL, Bond’s loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.”

The film’s official website, 007.com, has launched, with a countdown to the film’s release date and a short introductory video from long-time Bond co-producer Michael G. Wilson, whose credits include Moonraker, Licence to Kill, Goldeneye, Casino Royale, and Quantum of Solace, to name but a few.

One of the things that excites me most about the project is that John Logan is heading up the credits for the screenplay. Logan is the man who brought us the brilliant Gladiator and The Last Samurai, and he’s returning to work with Fiennes after scripting the actor’s directorial debut, Coriolanus, which is due out here on 20^th January this month.

Fiennes has been speaking to the Sunday Mail about his love of Bond and Ian Fleming’s original novels, and though he’s expectedly being kept to secrecy about his role, he did have this little piece of information to say:

“I’m allowed to say that I’m a government agent.”

Skyfall is released here in the UK on 26^th October – the countdown clock on the official site looks to be counting down (if I can count right) to our release date, rather than America’s two weeks later – and if all goes well, it will no doubt be a huge box office and critically acclaimed success. Quantum of Solace and Casino Royale both took more than half a billion dollars at the international box office, and though the former wasn’t received quite so well, Casino Royale was received by most people really well, and I think we can expect the same from Skyfall. At the time of writing, we have 297 days, 9 hours, 18 minutes, and a handful of seconds to go. Be sure to check back in for more on Skyfall as we get it in the coming months.

Thanks to ComingSoon.net for the heads up.

In the past month or so, we’ve been treated to a flurry of news surrounding the upcoming next Bond film, until recently known simply as Bond 23, which has now been officially titled Skyfall.

In case you’ve missed all our coverage, you can catch up on it right here. To give you a quick run-down, Daniel Craig will of course be reprising his role as Bond, with Javier Bardem cast opposite him as Skyfall’s lead villain. Dame Judi Dench will return as M, and the film also has a brilliant supporting cast with Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Ben Whishaw, Ola Rapace, Helen McCrory, and Albert Finney all attached too.

We’ve even been lucky enough to see the plot begin to surface with a short official synopsis:

“In SKYFALL, Bond’s loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.”

We’ve now got some more photos from the set to share with you, courtesy of the Daily Mail, giving us a look at what appears to be an exchange taking place between Craig and Harris, with Craig giving Harris – who will play a field agent by the name of Eve – a conspicuous black box.

Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes (American Beauty) is taking the helm for what is already one of next year’s most highly anticipated films, with a current release date scheduled for 26^th October. Without further ado, here are the photos from the set to feast your eyes on (one of which is of Harris wrapped in a duvet for warmth between takes). As usual, click to enlarge.

We had suspicions that this would be the case but the BBC have confirmed the news that Ben Whishaw will play Q in the brand new Bond movie now known as Skyfall. The role was played by Desmond Llewelyn in 17 Bond movies to perfection and was more recently played by John Cleese. Wishaw has most recently starred in the 1950s new drama The Hour on the BBC.

The BBC make the good point that this will be the first time that Q is to be played by someone younger than James Bond (Daniel Craig), in this case, 12 years younger but in the age of hi-tech, maybe it’s just what the part required? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. He doesn’t really look like a Q that I ever imagined but then this is the new generation of Bond. Now all we need to know are the details of who Ralph Fiennes is playing! Blofeld anyone?

Michael G. Wilson, Barbara Broccoli are back Producing the movie while and Sam Mendes Directs with a cast that includes Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem​, Dame Judi Dench​, Naomie Harris​, Bérénice Marlohe, Ralph Fiennes​, Albert Finney and Ben Whishaw​.

You can keep up to speed with all our James Bond coverage right here!

Without a doubt, one of the most highly anticipated films of 2012, Skyfall – until now, known by the name Bond 23 – has been progressing excellently over the past few days, officially announcing its name, logo, cast, and synopsis.

Filming has commenced as of yesterday, with the first official image from the set tweeted courtesy of the official 007 Twitter page. The very same page has also now tweeted that Skyfall has added two more members to its cast, in the form of Helen McCrory and Ola Rapace.

“In SKYFALL, Bond’s loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.”

The film will see the return of Daniel Craig in the Bond role – my personal favourite Bond actor to date – and of course Dame Judi Dench will be returning as M, with the rest of the cast including the likes of Ralph Fiennes, Javier Bardem as the villain, Albert Finney, Bérénice Marlohe, Naomi Harris (who will be playing a field agent called Eve, not Moneypenny, as previously thought), and Ben Wishaw. And now we can add to that McCrory, best known for her role as Draco Malfoy’s mother in the Harry Potter films, and Rapace, Swedish actor married but separated to The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo’s Noomi Rapace.

Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli are producing the film, and Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes will be taking the helm on this, which I couldn’t be happier about, having gone from strength to strength every step of the way since his feature debut with the classic American Beauty back in 1999.

Skyfall is scheduled for release on 26^th October next year, which means we have less than twelve months to go until we get to see the return of Bond to the big screens for the first time since 2008’s Quantum of Solace.

Incase you have been away from your computer or all English speaking newspapers in the last few days, here’s a little recap on all things Bond 23. It’s called Skyfall and shooting has commenced right here in London. For the first time ever, Bond has a new Twitter account (@007) and Facebook page which will be posting images and information right up until the movie is released (and no doubt beyond that too!).

The first official image tweeted this morning was this one which we’ve been emailed to post on the site and it’s now embedded below. It simply shows a clapper-board with the now official title, Skyfall along with the scene shooting first today which was Scene 45 on 7th November. We’re very excited that Skyfall is shooting here in London and especially back at the legendary Pinewood Studios. We don’t know for sure where this image was taken but who cares, Bond 23 is off and running people!

Michael G. Wilson, Barbara Broccoli are back Producing the movie while and Sam Mendes Directs with a cast that includes Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, Dame Judi Dench, Naomie Harris and Bérénice Marlohe, Ralph Fiennes, Albert Finney and Ben Whishaw.

You can keep up to speed with all our James Bond coverage right here!

This morning, I blogged as fast as my fingers could carry me the James Bond 23 press conference. You can see Jon’s roundup post here including the synopsis but now our friends from Digital Spy have put the entire press conference up on their YouTube channel and it’s embedded for your viewing pleasure.

Joining Producers Michael G. Wilson, Barbara Broccoli and Director Sam Mendes were members of the cast of SKYFALL, including: Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, Dame Judi Dench, Naomie Harris and Bérénice Marlohe. The filmmakers also announced Ralph Fiennes, Albert Finney and Ben Whishaw.

We can expect to see it some time in 2012 and we are rather excited about that fact!

Earlier today, I went along to the press conference for Bond 23 which we now know officially has the title Skyfall. I blogged my little heart out live and now Jon has already summarised all the main points from the press conference which you can see here.

Joining Producers Michael G. Wilson, Barbara Broccoli and Director Sam Mendes were members of the cast of SKYFALL, including: Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, Dame Judi Dench, Naomie Harris and Bérénice Marlohe. The filmmakers also announced Ralph Fiennes, Albert Finney and Ben Whishaw.

Sony have just sent over the Title Treatment for Skyfall, the latest movie in the Bond franchise. Here it is in all it’s glory!

Click the image below to enlarge.

It’s been a long road but Bond 23, now given its official title of Skyfall at the press conference held in London this morning, is now firmly on the way to the big screen with director Sam Mendes and producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli announcing the title and the full cast.

What wasn’t announced but is making its way around the internet on the James Bond Facebook page right now is this brief synopsis, credited to Sony Pictures:

In SKYFALL, Bond’s loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.

UPDATE: The synopsis was confirmed by Sony, so this is the first word on how Skyfall will play out. Anything which guarantees more Dame Judi Dench is good in my book. It also may explain what Albert Finney is doing in the cast…

You may have been following our liveblog of the events here but we have collated the main points below.

• The title is Skyfall as suspected. Twitter nearly broke down with a pun-avalanche.
• Daniel Craig will face off against Javier Bardem as the villain with Ralph Fiennes, Albert Finney and Ben Wishaw confirmed to star but the names of their characters were not given as they ‘may’ be known to Bond fans.
• The film will be shooting in Istanbul, Scotland and Whitehall and Pinewood Studios (of course) in London.
• The film starts shooting today… Will it have Bond apprehending a bad guy at a London press conference? Is this all a ruse to get footage for the pre-credits sequence?
• The first film that director Sam Mendes saw was Live and Let Die, and after seeing Daniel Craig in Casino Royale he wanted to be part of it. Barbara Broccoli talked of the ‘childish enthusiasm’ of Mendes as a director. It seems half the people on the panel talked about watching Bond as children.
• Mendes confirmed there will be a lot of action but that it will have to ‘co-exist with the drama’.
• Actress Bérénice Marlohe will play a ‘glamorous, enigmatic character’ called Severin, Naomi Harris will play a field agent called Eve and not Miss Moneypenny as was previously thought. Harris talked of her training which involved two months of Yoga and firing guns which must be a tough class, and calls Skyfall a “rollercoaster that is about to commence”.
• Skyfall doesn’t relate to any previous element of the series, and therefore it won’t see the return of Quantum.
• The title has some ‘emotional context which will be revealed in the film’ – just like Quantum of Solace then…
• No announcement of who is dong the theme music.
• Mendes was asked if he would direct another and said if all goes well then he would, happily.
• Daniel Craig will take his shirt off. This should probably have gone at the top of this list I suppose.
• More importantly Craig was asked if he would return as Bond and answered, “If i could do this for a few more years then I’ll be happy”

And that’s all there is. If you’re in Whitehall today and see a dapper chap and a camera crew snap a few pics won’t you?

Today we head to the Bond 23 press conference which has to be the most anticipated that I’ve ever been to. At the press conference, we’re hoping to officially find out the title of the movie officially (which we think will be Skyfall). According to the info we have, the press conference will be attended by Producers Michael G. Wilson, Barbara Broccoli, Director Sam Mendes, Daniel Craig and other key members of the cast.

We’re hoping that if technology allows, to live blog the entire press conference so keep your eyes peeled below for updates as they happen. Who knows what will happen but we know it will be very exciting!

The press conference is due to begin at 11.45 so keep your eyes peeled for updates below. You won’t need to click refresh, text should appear magically!

UPDATE: See a round-up of all the highlights in Jon’s post here.

James Bond 23 Press Conference

(11/03/2011)

  

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10:46

Now at the Press conference. T-minus 1 hours till we hope that the cast and filmmakers turn up We’ll be blogging it all live right here for you so stay tuned! Thursday November 3, 2011 10:46

10:46

All name tags are covered so we don’t know 100% who’s coming other than the 2 producers, Daniel Craig and the Director Sam Mendes Thursday November 3, 2011 10:46

10:46

In the meantime, here’s what it looks like Thursday November 3, 2011 10:46

11:00

it’s coming, honest! Thursday November 3, 2011 11:00

11:00

James Bond Press Conference Thursday November 3, 2011 11:00

11:01

and there it us! No title of the movie yet and all name tags covered. Going dark for a bit. We’ll kick off about 11.45 if all rungs to time Thursday November 3, 2011 11:01

11:19

Room’s pretty full now. 25 mins to go until kick off. Will it be called Skyfall? Thursday November 3, 2011 11:19

11:33

Room completely packed now. Only spaces left are the 9 chairs up the front Thursday November 3, 2011 11:33

11:38

007:  The room is packed. The lights are dim. The iconic 007 logo is on the screen… [via Twitter] Thursday November 3, 2011 11:38 007

11:40

[Comment From MarvinMarvin: ]  How many press people are there? Thursday November 3, 2011 11:40 Marvin

11:40

Marvin- must be over 150 Thursday November 3, 2011 11:40

11:42

Loads of speculation here about the title. We think it’s still going to be Skyfall but hopefully we’ll soon find out! Thursday November 3, 2011 11:42

11:43

Bond music has just started playing. Oh the excitement! Thursday November 3, 2011 11:43

11:44

007:  As the classic James Bond theme tune sounds out, the press conference is ready to begin… [via Twitter] Thursday November 3, 2011 11:44 007

11:45

We’re off! Thursday November 3, 2011 11:45

11:46

Michael g Wilson and Barbara broccoli here to introduce it Thursday November 3, 2011 11:46

11:46

Title is: Skyfall!!!! Thursday November 3, 2011 11:46

11:47

007:  The press conference takes place on the same date that Sean Connery was announced as the first James Bond. [via Twitter] Thursday November 3, 2011 11:47 007

11:47

Director Sam Mendes here to introduce his cast Thursday November 3, 2011 11:47

11:48

007:  The title of Bond 23 will be….Skyfall. [via Twitter] Thursday November 3, 2011 11:48 007

11:48

Shooting at Pinewood Studios, Scotland, Whitehall in London, Turkey Thursday November 3, 2011 11:48

11:49

Here comes the cast. Naomi Harri, Thursday November 3, 2011 11:49

11:50

Dame Judy Dench here in da house Thursday November 3, 2011 11:50

11:50

Javier Bardem here is here and some chap called Daniel Craig Thursday November 3, 2011 11:50

11:50

007:  Director Sam Mendes is joined on stage by Bérénice Marlohe, Naomie Harris, Dame Judi Dench, Javier Bardem and Daniel Craig. [via Twitter] Thursday November 3, 2011 11:50 007

11:51

So, Skyfall is the title, what do we think of it? Thursday November 3, 2011 11:51

11:51

along with French acrtress Bérénice Marlohe Thursday November 3, 2011 11:51

11:51

Sam Mendes has been a fan as a child. First movie he saw was Live and Let Die. Thursday November 3, 2011 11:51

11:52

When he saw Craig play Bond in Casino Royale, he wanted to be a part of it and wanted the huge challenge. Thursday November 3, 2011 11:52

11:52

He has also confirmed that there WILL be action! Thursday November 3, 2011 11:52

11:52

Barbara talks of Mendes saying that they wanted his chikdish enthusiam Thursday November 3, 2011 11:52

11:53

today is also the 50th anniversary to the day that Sean Connery was announced as Bond for Dr. No Thursday November 3, 2011 11:53

11:53

Sorry for the spelling mistakes BTW. Trying to keep up! Thursday November 3, 2011 11:53

11:53

Craig is very comfortable stepping back into the famous shoes and cant wait to get started Thursday November 3, 2011 11:53

11:54

Shooting starts today! Thursday November 3, 2011 11:54

11:54

Reason the press conference is here in London is because they will be shooting in and around Whitehall Thursday November 3, 2011 11:54

11:54

007:  Skyfall will begin shooting today. [via Twitter] Thursday November 3, 2011 11:54 007

11:54

Javier says that Bond was very much a part of his growing up. Some of fondest memories were seeing Bond at the cinema with his family, Thursday November 3, 2011 11:54

11:55

And Bérénice Marlohe says that she has too been watching them since she was a child. When she got the part, it took her days to realise that it was true! Thursday November 3, 2011 11:55

11:55

Naomi cant believe that this is still happening. She’s spent two months training and is very ready for the “rollercoaster that is about to commence” Thursday November 3, 2011 11:55

11:55

Now onto the audience questions….. Thursday November 3, 2011 11:55

11:56

Question from The Guardian – we’ve had action mentioned but what about gadgets Thursday November 3, 2011 11:56

11:56

Mendes “cant reveal too much at the moment but there will be lots if surprises” Thursday November 3, 2011 11:56

11:56

007:  Ben Whishaw, Ralph Fiennes and Albert Finney will all be joining the Skyfall cast. [via Twitter] Thursday November 3, 2011 11:56 007

11:57

Q: After playing role in the dragon tattoo – how would you compare the two roles? Thursday November 3, 2011 11:57

11:57

Craig – “they are completely different”! Lovely! Thursday November 3, 2011 11:57

11:58

Bérénice plays a glamous enigmatic character, Naomi plays a field agent called Eve, Thursday November 3, 2011 11:58

11:58

007:  Bérénice Marlohe will play Severin. Naomie Harris will play a field agent called Eve. [via Twitter] Thursday November 3, 2011 11:58 007

11:58

Question to the bond girls – cant you expand on your roles Thursday November 3, 2011 11:58

11:58

Question – What about the Scotish element to the film? Thursday November 3, 2011 11:58

11:59

They’re not giving anything away!! Thursday November 3, 2011 11:59

11:59

Mendes – “There is a Scottish element and it involves Scotland!” Thursday November 3, 2011 11:59

11:59

Question to Producers – “Will the budget be cut for this one after a heavy spend on Bond 22?” Thursday November 3, 2011 11:59

12:00

A: It’s in the same range as the last one. Nothing i nthe script has been changed to get what we want. We keep on adding. We’ve not had to sacrifice anything. All the money will go on the screen. All the crews are back, same production crew, effects, stunts – everything the same as the last film Thursday November 3, 2011 12:00

12:00

Q: How does Skyfall relate to any existing property A: It doesnt! Thursday November 3, 2011 12:00

12:01

Q from Empire: Who’s going to do the bond theme? A: Considering various people but no one to announce at the moment Thursday November 3, 2011 12:01

12:01

Q: Daniel – 3rd Bond movie, what will you try to bring to the Bond Character? A: In doing a 3rd one and being lucky enough to do a 3rd one it’s an inntention to make it as good as we possibly can Thursday November 3, 2011 12:01

12:01

Mendes also stated it’s hard doing a press conference when they cannot give anything away. Craig – we have a great script Thursday November 3, 2011 12:01

12:02

Q: Question for Javier – How do you feel being in the beginning of the film and being the bad guy in the story? A: It’s an honour to be at this table because of the background story and because of these professionals working with these people and it;s going to be fun Thursday November 3, 2011 12:02

12:03

Javier – Being a baddie means soewhere someone thinks I’m a good guy! Thursday November 3, 2011 12:03

12:03

007:  Javier Bardem will play Skyfall’s villain. [via Twitter] Thursday November 3, 2011 12:03 007

12:03

Q: Javier – You played such a formidable bad guy in a last film, how can this be improved? A: It’s about the journey and finding a new way of doing it Thursday November 3, 2011 12:03

12:04

Q: for Mendes – What is it like working with this great team/ A: For me it’s being part of a great team. Alex (second unit director) is working in tandem with me but every decision is mine. The action needs to co-exist with the drama Thursday November 3, 2011 12:04

12:05

Q from the BBC for Sam – There’s an outstanding cast with 16 Oscar noms and your films alone with 12 Oscars and 6 wins. Think this might get an Oscar? A: It’s not the reason you do a movie and not the reason you do a Bond movie. For me, Bond movies are for the audience and what happens afterwards is out of my hands Thursday November 3, 2011 12:05

12:07

Q: How are you celebrating the 50th Anniversary? Will the last movies come back to the big screen? Will 2012 be a ‘Bond Year?’ A: Michael – We have a documentary currently being made. We have a lot of other things planned but as yet won’t annuonce them. Sony and ourselves are looking for a way for the fans to celebrate. Thursday November 3, 2011 12:07

12:08

Question from TotalFilm – Daniel, have you had to do any new training and new cast, what training have you done? A: Javier – Learning the English vowels!! *Audience laughs! Naomi has been doing Yoga three times a week to get int shape and stunt driving, fireing maching eguns which she loves. Stunt training, jumping out of cars and running up and down stairs Bérénice – I’ve been learning to fire guns and very much enjoyed it Thursday November 3, 2011 12:08

12:08

Question from Deadline – If this goes well, will you direct a second? Laughs and looks to Producers – If this goes well then hopefully yes but let’s see how this one gies Thursday November 3, 2011 12:08

12:09

Q – What does Skyfall mean? A – It has some emotional context which will be revaled in the film Thursday November 3, 2011 12:09

12:10

007:  Producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli explain that the title Skyfall has “some emotional context”. [via Twitter] Thursday November 3, 2011 12:10 007

12:10

BBC Radio 1 Q – Were there doubts this movie wouldn’t get made Craig – I kept myself busy but it was frustrating waiting. Now everything is ready. The past few months have just been to this point but it was frustrating Thursday November 3, 2011 12:10

12:10

Q: Will we see Quantum again in this movie? A: This one doesnt connect and is it’s own story Thursday November 3, 2011 12:10

12:11

Question from Sky – Producers, were you worried this wouldn’t get made after the problems with MGM? A: Craig takes it and says The reason we are here today is because of these two pointing to the Producers who have made it happen Thursday November 3, 2011 12:11

12:11

Q: Was there every any reason to make the movies more high-brow? A: Michael – With Casino Royale we went down a certain path. We had a great cast, plenty of action Thursday November 3, 2011 12:11

12:12

007:  Director Sam Mendes says Skyfall “is its own story. It doesn’t connect with the last two movies”. [via Twitter] Thursday November 3, 2011 12:12 007

12:13

Q: Will we see shirts off from Javier and Daniel A: Barbara – Damn Right!! Thursday November 3, 2011 12:13

12:13

Michael – We want to see more than that! Thursday November 3, 2011 12:13

12:13

Question – Daniel – is it hard to not be typecast as Bond? A: I just like working. If i could do this for a few more years then I’ll be happy. Barbara – Definitely! (implies he might do more?) Thursday November 3, 2011 12:13

12:15

Ben Moritimer who is writing for Coming Soon asked a great question – They wont tell us the names of three characters, is that because Bond Fans will recoginise them? Praised on a well pharsed question and they implied that is exactly why but i guess we’ll see! Thursday November 3, 2011 12:15

12:16

007:  The press conference has concluded. Thank you to producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, and director Sam Mendes… [via Twitter] Thursday November 3, 2011 12:16 007

12:16

And that is that people. End of the press conference. We’ll get this typed up with the highlights and stay tuned. thanks so much for everyone who joined us and don’t forget Bond 23 is Skyfall and starts shooting today – my guess is at the legendary Pinewood Studios. This is Dave signing off! Thursday November 3, 2011 12:16

12:16

007:  Thanks also to cast members Daniel Craig, Dame Judi Dench, Naomie Harris, Javier Bardem and Bérénice Marlohe. [via Twitter] Thursday November 3, 2011 12:16 007

12:17

 

 

Another step on the long road to Bond 23, which may or may not be called Skyfall, has been taken today with the long rumoured role for Javier Bardem confirmed by the man himself.

It’s not a particularly detailed conversation but it’s the first time that Bardem has spoken publically about his role, which will see him face off against Britain’s finest secret agent in the form of Daniel Craig. He’ll be joined by Naomi Harris, Ralph Fiennes and Dame Judi Dench and the whole shebang will be under the hand of Sam Mendes which points to a fine return for Bond.

Here’s the short clip, from MI6-HQ (via ComingSoon)

Here’s one for the ‘rumour’ or ‘maybe’ categories but sites last night were reporting that James Bond 23 which sees Daniel Craig returning for the third time as 007, could get the title Skyfall. The news comes as Fusible spotted that Sony had registered a list of domain names with Skyfall in the title. You can see the full list on the Fusible website.

In the meantime, we can keep speculating what it might be called but surely we’ll find out at some point in the near future although we still have over a year to wait until it’s release date of October 26th 2012. Sam Mendes helms the project and we can’t wait to start talking about it in much more depth!

Keep checking back for more!

Nestled a few miles west of London sits Pinewood Studios, still looking as sprightly as ever, but having today reached the grand old age of 75.

And what a 75 years it has been. Though the landscape of cinema has changed beyond recognition in that time (fads have come and gone, new filming techniques have been developed and refined, entire genres have been popularised, then forgotten, then revived), Pinewood remains.

Bought by building tycoon Charles Boot in the early 1930′s, Pinewood was then turned into a studio through a joint venture between Boot and J Arthur Rank, the name being settled on because according to Boot:-

“of the number of trees which grow there and because it seemed to suggest something of the American film centre in its second syllable.”

The studios officially opened their doors on 30th September 1936 and since then has been home to some of the largest scale productions imaginable. The 007 stage was built for The Spy Who Loved Me in the late 1970′s and has accommodated a whole host of Bondian adventures up to and including Quantum of Solace. Check out the video below for the mind-boggling dimensions of this legendary stage.

What else has Pinewood been home to I hear you ask? Try this lot on for size:-

• Much of Michael Powell’s early output, including Black Narcissus, The Red Shoes and Peeping Tom
• A Night To Remember, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and The Ipcress File
• Superman, Bugsy Malone, Battle of Britain
• Clash of the Titans (1981), Little Shop of Horrors, Santa Claus: The Movie, Patriot Games, Mission: Impossible
• Patriot Games, The Fifth Element, Event Horizon, Alien 3, Batman
• Tomb Raider, United 93, The Bourne Ultimatum, Captain America, The Dark Knight, HP and the Deathly Hallows
• The Hobbit, Hugo, Kick-Ass, Aliens, Children of Men

I could go on. At some length. What an almighty legacy. The studio continues to thrive, with Tim Burton returning after Sweeney Todd and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to shoot his next film, Dark Shadows there. The Hobbit and Snow White & The Huntsman are hardly small-fry either.

So if you have them to hand, raise your glasses to Pinewood Studios and its “diamond plus something but not yet platinum” anniversary. What is my favourite of what has been shot there so far? It’s probably not The Da Vinci Code or Tomb Raider. Gosh, this is like trying to pick your favourite child. I guess it would have to be either Aliens or The Bourne Ultimatum. What’s yours?

Following on from the news that that British actress, Naomie Harris is set to Miss Moneypenny in the as-yet untitled, Bond 23, Twitch have broken the news this morning that French actress, Berenice Marlohe is also set to play opposite Daniel Craig in the latest movie.

Twitch tell us:

Sources tell Twitch that Berenice Marlohe has been cast opposite Daniel Craig in Mendes’ upcoming installment of the long-standing franchise. A young French actress currently making the transition from television to film – she is currently filming Un bonheur n’arrive jamais seul with Lucky Luke and Hellphone director James Huth.

Bond 23 was all set to film in India but this week, it’s been revealed that they will now shoot an opening sequence in Istanbul. Bond 23 is directed by Sam Mendes and we’re hoping we’ll get to see it October 2012.

More as we get it.

Cars have played vital roles in some of the most popular movies ever committed to film, from the iconic Minis weaving through Turin in The Italian Job to Steven McQueen blasting his Mustang through the streets of San Francisco in Bullitt, to James Bond’s Aston Martins and ever more fantastic fare such Doc Brown’s time-traveling DeLorean and various incarnations of the Batmobile.

Among some of the most memorable cars to feature on the silver screen over the years are those that have come from Ford, and as part of their UK Centenary Tour the Blue Oval stopped off at Elstree Studios where they wheeled out five of their biggest stars of film and television.

Of the five, the most distinctive is without doubt the gigantic Fab 1 created for the 2004 Thunderbirds movie. This imposing, very pink car is definitely not something you’d want to drive down the average British high street, nor would it be much fun trying to tuck it into a tight spot at the local multistory car park, but it’s a stunning thing to view up close. OK, so seeing it in the metal and getting to check out some of the finer details only serve to remind you that this is effectively a very large prop created for a single purpose – the screen built-in to the steering wheel which displays complex animations in the movie is in reality static, and there’s some rough edges here and there – but there’s no denying the craftsmanship that went into creating Fab 1; the interior is sumptuously appointed with white leather and chromed instruments, and the way that roof lifts up and moves backwards to ease entry is just incredible. It’s a car that is more than suitable for the needs of an aristocrat such as Lady Penelope.

At the opposite end of the spectrum is a Ford Anglia that looks positively minuscule next to Fab 1. This version of the Anglia (the 105E) entered production in 1959, but has gained popularity in recent years due to its appearance in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. The car on display at Elstree, complete with a fake Hedwig in a cage on the rear seat, is owned by John Colyer, the honorary president of the Ford Anglia 105E Owners’ Club. John helped the filmmakers source a total of 15 Anglias to use in the movie, and with an obvious affection for these little cars he is quick to point out that despite what you saw on screen not one Anglia was actually wrecked during production – instead unsalvageable MOT failures were used for those scenes in which the car was seen to sustain damage. And as if to highlight how Harry Potter has raised awareness of the Anglia he adds that Rupert Grint himself now owns one of the cars.

Of all the vehicles on display, the oldest is a bright yellow Siva Tourer based on the chassis of a 1957 Ford Popular 103E – or as it’s better known to legions of Dr. Who fans: Bessie. This car played a recurring role in the adventures of John Pertwee’s third doctor, and even went on to make brief appearances in stories featuring the fourth and seventh incarnations of the time lord. The model on display at Elstree was lovingly restored by its owner Dr. Dean Rose over the course of two years; his dedication to transforming the car from the dilapidated state in which he bought it to the pristine condition in which it can be found today even extended to a two year search for the correct type of plastic hand to affix to the right-hand side of the windscreen. Over 40 years after its first appearance in Dr. Who, interest in Bessie remains strong, and Dr. Rose happily makes his car available for convention appearances and even weddings.

Rounding out the five models on display are two cars that normally wouldn’t get a second glance as they appear to be nothing more than two of Ford’s bestselling cars from the last 30 years. But despite the ubiquity of their nameplates, both the Granada Mark II and the Mondeo seen here have played important roles in pop culture. The Granada, for example, was a familiar sight in the later years of The Sweeney, while this generation of Mondeo actually made its debut alongside Daniel Craig’s 007 in the James Bond movie Casino Royale.

From minor roles to more outlandish vehicles such as Fab 1, the Ford Motor Company has enjoyed a rich history in film and television during its first 100 years in the UK – one that will no doubt continue in the years ahead.

Word came last week that Rhys Ifans, best known for his role as Hugh Grant’s brilliant, bumbling, Welsh best friend in Notting Hill, would be starring in Sam Mendes’ upcoming Bond 23.

MTV Movies now have it that this was just a rumour after speaking to the actor at Comic-Con over in San Diego. I was quite looking forward to seeing what kind of role he’d be given, but sadly it looks like this isn’t to be.

It’s interesting that Ifans now looks to not be attached to the film, given that director Mendes was the one who confirmed his involvement. But Ifans probably knows best of all his own schedule, so we still have much to wait for in regards to who will be joining Daniel Craig.

Javier Bardem is thought to be the film’s antagonist, which I’m quite looking forward to, and Ralph Fiennes’ name has also been rumoured to be attached, though no confirmation on that yet. Naomie Harris is set to be taking the role of Moneypenny for the upcoming film, with Judi Dench expected to reprise her role as M.

Mendes is a brilliant director who won an Academy Award for Best Director for his debut, American Beauty, and this new Bond film has all the making of something brilliant, with a script written by John Logan (Gladiator, The Last Samurai) and veteran Bond writers, Neal Purvis and Robert Wade. Craig is my own personal favourite Bond to date, and though I was looking forward to seeing Ifans in a Bond film, I’m of course still excited that this is taking shape. Filming is expected to begin at the end of this year, with a release date scheduled for October next year, so we can expect more concrete casting details in the coming months. More news as and when we get it.