The Bond franchise recently faced near self destruction following the financial plummet of MGM Studios. But despite a turbulent and highly frustrating past couple of years, the third installment of the Daniel Craig saga will indeed go ahead, it’s production beginning in November 2011 and it’s release set for November 2012. As well as being precisely 4 years on from the last film, A Quantum of Solace, it will also mark the 50th anniversary of the first ever official James Bond movie, Dr No.
Cast and Crew
Taking directorial helm will be American Beauty and Jarhead director, Sam Mendes, whose long running theme of complex characters in his movies is ideal for the 3 dimensional Bond of the 21st century. Also expressing enthusiasm alongside Daniel Craig is Judi Dench who has played Bond’s superior ‘M’ since the Pierce Brosnan films in the 90’s. Also rumoured for casting is British actor Simon Russell Beale.
Following years of waiting, this may turn out to be one of the most anticipated 007 movies in the history of the franchise. It was first in 2006 that the Bond saga received a greatly welcomed makeover, retelling the story of Ian Fleming’s original James Bond novel Casino Royale, and seeing Daniel Craig playing a ruthless brooding 00 agent that was less stylized on the previous incarnations played by Connery, Moore, Dalton etc, and more faithful to Flemings vision of the character in his books.
A Fresh Story for Bond
The follow up film, A Quantum Of Solace, a reworking of a 007 short story, began to weave elements covered briefly in the first film, establishing the premise of a new and deadly global crime syndicate (known originally to long term fans as SPECTRE, but now seemingly changed to QUANTUM) which was presumably written in as a game plan for future films in the series. With this long running story unfinished, cast and crew have expressed persistent enthusiasm regarding their involvement in the next film, waiting only for the financial go ahead and studio backing to bring the next chapter to life.
To add additional pressure, the success of this new Bond reworking lies highly in the critical appraisal of this latest film.Though Casino Royale was heralded as one of the greatest Bond films of all time, A Quantum Of Solace received mixed reviews, many viewing it as a disappointment when compared to it’s predecessor. The intensity of it’s action and storytelling however was proof enough that this franchise is far from down and out, in spite of it’s numerous set backs. With a wealth of trial and error under its belt, fans can only hope that this next installment will be one of the most well rounded and exciting 007 movies to date.
Ashley Jacob - I'm 28 and currently residing in Bath, England with my son Caleb and my girlfriend Julie. Since my days of childhood, music and elaborate ...
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