The latest James Bond adventure in the longest running film franchise, BOND 22 (a working title), has commenced principal photography at Pinewood Studios in London. Daniel Craig (CASINO ROYALE) reprises his role as agent 007. Marc Forster (THE KITE RUNNER) has signed on to direct the franchise's first direct sequel. Kevin Tod Haug, who has collaborated previously with Forster on THE KITE RUNNER, STRANGER THAN FICTION and FINDING NEVERLAND, is visual effects designer.
The international cast led by the critically acclaimed French actor Mathieu Amalric (THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY) as the sinister villain, and the Ukranian actress Olga Kurylenko (PARIS, JE T'AIME) as 007's leading lady. Newcomer to the Bond franchise, Gemma Arterton (ST. TRINIAN'S), will play the role of MI6 Agent Fields. Returning to BOND 22 from CASINO ROYALE are Judi Dench in her role as M, Jeffrey Wright as Felix Leiter and Giancarlo Giannini as Mathis.
Commenting on the announcement, Producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli of EON Prods. Ltd., said, "We are fortunate to continue in the Bond tradition of attracting the finest international actors for our starring roles. Mathieu in the role of Dominic Greene, a leading member of the villainous organization introduced in CASINO ROYALE, will be a powerful counterpart to Daniel's portrayal of Bond. Olga Kurylenko will play the dangerously alluring Camille, who challenges Bond and helps him come to terms with the emotional consequences of Vesper's betrayal."
MGM and Sony Pictures will share distribution rights worldwide with Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Releasing International distributing the film to theaters worldwide on Nov. 7. The screenplay is by Neal Purvis & Robert Wade and Paul Haggis. The unit includes Production Designer Dennis Gassner (his first Bond assignment), Director of Photography Roberto Schaefer, Editors Matt Chesse and Rick Pearson and 2nd Unit Director Dan Bradley.
EON Prods./Danjaq LLC, is owned by the Broccoli family and has produced 21 James Bond films since 1962. The James Bond films, produced by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, make up the longest running franchise in film history EON Prods. and Danjaq LLC, are affiliate companies and control all worldwide merchandising of the James Bond franchise.
Sony Pictures Ent. (SPE, www.sonypictures.com) is a subsidiary of Sony Corp. of America (SCA), a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corp. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution; television production and distribution; digital content creation and distribution; worldwide channel investments; home entertainment acquisition and distribution, operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of filmed entertainment in more than 100 countries.
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. (www.mgm.com), through its operating subsidiaries is actively engaged in the worldwide production and distribution of motion pictures, television programming, home video, interactive media, music and licensed merchandise. The company owns the world's largest library of modern films, comprising around 4,000 titles. Operating units include Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc., United Artists Films Inc., Ventanazul, MGM Television Entertainment Inc., MGM Networks Inc., MGM Distribution Co., MGM International Television Distribution Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Home Entertainment LLC, MGM ON STAGE, MGM Music, MGM Worldwide Digital Media, MGM Consumer Products and MGM Interactive. In addition, MGM has ownership interests in international TV channels reaching nearly 110 countries. MGM ownership is as follows: Providence Equity Partners (29%), TPG (21%), Sony Corporation of America (20%), Comcast (20%), DLJ Merchant Banking Partners (7%) and Quadrangle Group (3%).
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
