20th Anniversary of Casino Royale (2006) starring Daniel Craig as James Bond

By: Anders Frejdh

Published:
2026-01-02

Casino Royale, Daniel Craig, 20th Annniversary

2026 marks the 20th Anniversary of Casino Royale, Daniel Craig’s first film as Ian Fleming’s James Bond. The film was first released in the United Kingdom on 14th November 2006. In the United States, the film premiered on 17th November. The Swedish premiere took place on 24th November.

This James Bond film, by many considered the best film in the franchise, was directed by Martin Campbell who previously directed Pierce Brosnan in his first Bond film, 1995’s GoldenEye.

I have very fond memories of watching Casino Royale for the first time at a preview screening in London with producer Michael G. Wilson and executive producer Anthony Waye sitting behind me. Following the screening, I thanked and congratulated them for a masterful film. In my eyes, it is the best Bond film starring Daniel Craig.

Film synopsis:

Casino Royale traces the early career of James Bond. His first “007” mission leads him to Le Chiffre, banker to the world’s terrorists. To stop him, and bring down the terrorist network, Bond must beat Le Chiffre in a high-stakes poker game at Casino Royale.

Bond is initially annoyed when a beautiful Treasury official, Vesper Lynd, is assigned to deliver his stake for the game and watch over the government's money.

But, as Bond and Vesper survive a series of lethal attacks by Le Chiffre and his henchmen, a mutual attraction develops leading them both into further danger and events that will shape Bond’s life forever.

Albert R. Broccoli's Eon Productions presents Daniel Craig as Ian Fleming's James Bond in Casino Royale

Production notes about Casino Royale

(Source: MGM / Eon Productions)
• 3 February 2005: It was announced that Martin Campbell would direct a film to be titled Casino Royale
• 30 January 2006: Principal photography began at Barrandov Studios with Martin Campbell directing Daniel Craig in the Embassy shoot-up
• 9 February 2006: Martin Campbell shot the opening scene in which Bond becomes a 00 agent
• 3 March 2006: Campbell shot Bond’s seduction of Solange
• 9 March 2006: Daniel Craig was filming Bond’s epic pursuit of Mollaka across a crane
• 4 April 2006: Shooting was taking place on the action-packed stairwell fight
• 7 April 2006: Martin Campbell shot the scene in which Bond orders the Vesper cocktail
• 12 April 2006: Campbell shot the scene in which Bond bets everything against Le Chiffre, and loses
• 19 April 2006: Campbell shot the scene in which Bond discovers his drink has been poisoned
• 24 April 2006: The scene was shot in which Bond reads Vesper’s text message and learns he was betrayed
• 28 April 2006: Shooting was completed on Bond’s torture scene
• 4 May 2006: The teaser trailer was released, giving the world its first look at Daniel Craig in action as James Bond
• 1 June 2006: Daniel Craig shot the final moment of the film at Lake Como, Italy, with Bond standing over an injured Mr White
• 5 June 2006: Craig filmed the scene where M tells Bond about Vesper Lynd & her kidnapped Algerian boyfriend
• 8 June 2006: Martin Campbell filmed the scene in which Bond resigns from MI6
• 13 June 2006: Shooting took place on the tanker chase across Miami airport (actually Dunsfold Aerodrome, Cranleigh)
• 23 June 2006: Martin Campbell filmed the collapsing Venetian building on the 007 Stage
• 30 June 2006: Campbell shot the scene where the lift containing Vesper plummets into the water, pursued by Bond
• 11 July 2006: Shooting was completed on the climactic Venice house collapse
• 18 July 2006: Principal photography completed. The last shots were the truck chase across the "Miami airport" set
• 8 September 2006: The first full trailer for the film was released
• 18 September 2006: Construction began on the new Albert R. Broccoli 007 Stage at Pinewood Studios after fire damaged the previous one
• 16 November 2006: ‘You Know My Name’ by Chris Cornell, the theme song for the film, was released

A selection of filming locations for Casino Royale

• Academy of Music, Venice, Veneto, Italy (Conservatorio Benedetto Marcello)
• Al Palazzo Lion Morosini, Cannaregio 5700, Venice, Veneto, Italy (the sinking house)
• Albany House, New Providence Island, Bahamas (James Bond return trip to the Bahamas - Beach Villa of Solange and Dimitrios)
• Albert R. Broccoli 007 Stage, Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England (studio) (Venetian Piazza)
• Barrandov Studios, Prague, Czech Republic (studio)
• Black Park, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England (Ugandan rebel camp)
• Buena Vista Hotel and Restaurant, Nassau, New Providence Island, Bahamas (exterior: Madagascar Embassy)
• Campo San Barnaba, Venice, Veneto, Italy
• Canary Wharf, Isle of Dogs, London, England (M's home)
• Cipriani Hotel, Giudecca Island, Venice, Veneto, Italy (Bond moors yacht)
• D Stage, Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England (studio) (Miami airport miniatures)
• Danube House, Karlín, Prague, Czech Republic (arrival of Dryden - opening sequence)
• Dunsfold Park Aerodrome, Dunsfold Park, Dunsfold, Surrey, England (exterior: Miami International Airport)
• Eton College, Eton, Berkshire, England (cricket ground - cut opening sequence)
• Grand Canal, Venice, Veneto, Italy (exteriors: ending)
• Houses of the Procurators, St. Mark's Square, Venice, Veneto, Italy (Procuratie Nuove)
• Kaiserbad - Lázne I, Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic (exterior Casino Royale, Montenegro)
• Library, Strahov Monastery, Prague, Czech Republic (interiors: House of Commons)
• Loket Castle, Loket, Czech Republic (Montenegro Town Square - Hilltop Restaurant)
• Military Museum, Zizkov, Prague, Czech Republic (Miami Body Worlds exhibition)
• Mill Colonnade, Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic (exterior: Montenegro Railway Station)
• Millbrook Test Track, Bedfordshire, England (car chase where Bond rolls Aston Martin after leaving Casino Royale)
• Ministry of Transport, Quay of Ludvík Svoboda, New Town, Prague, Czech Republic (Miami Museum exterior - body world exhibit)
• Modrany Studios, Modrany, Prague, Czech Republic (studio)
• Nassau International Airport, Nassau, New Providence Island, Bahamas (interiors Miami International Airport)
• National Museum, New Town, Prague, Czech Republic (Grand Venetian Hotel - reception and stairways)
• Old Soviet Military Hospital, Planá, Tachov District, Czech Republic (interiors Hospital - James Bond convalesces after being tortured)
• One and Only Ocean Club, Paradise Island, Bahamas (Ocean Club)
• Paddock Tank, Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England (studio) (exteriors: Venetian Sinking house)
• Palackého Street, Mladá Boleslav, Czech Republic (road scenes)
• Ponte di Rialto, San Polo, Venice, Veneto, Italy
• Pupp Hotel, Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic (Exterior of Hotel Splendid)
• Royal Bahamas Defence Force, Coral Harbour, New Providence Island, Bahamas (chase through construction site)
• St. Mark's Square, Venice, Veneto, Italy (exteriors: ending)
• Strahov Monastery, Prague, Czech Republic (House of Commons)
• Toletta Bookstore, Venice, Veneto, Italy
• Vaclav Havel Airport Prague, Ruzyne, Prague, Czech Republic (Miami International Airport)
• West Shore, New Providence Island, Bahamas (beachfront mansion of Dimitrios)
• Villa Balbianello, Lake Como, Lombardia, Italy (exteriors Hospital - James Bond convalesces after being tortured)
• Villa Gaeta, Lake Como, Lombardia, Italy (Villa of Mr. White)
• Vltava River, Czech Republic (opening sequence)

Vehicles used during the filming

(Source: BMT 216A: The James Bond Vehicle Library)
• Aston Martin DB5
• Aston Martin DBS V12 - 2007
• Bentley
• Ford Econoline Van 1971
• Ford Mondeo
• Le Chiffres car
• MD 600N Helicopter
• Miami taxi
• New Holland W190 Wheel Loader
• Range Rover Sport HSR
• Spirit 54
• Sunseeker Predator 108
• Truck with jetfuel

Over the years, FSWL has been fortunate to meet some of the cast and crew from Casino Royale:

>Andreas Daniel (actor)
>Andrew Noakes (associate producer)
>Anthony Waye (executive producer)
>Barbara Broccoli (producer)
>Caterina Murino (actress)
>Chris Corbould (miniature effects/special effects supervisor)
>Daniel Craig (actor)
>Daniel Kleinman (pre-titles)
>David Arnold (soundtrack composer)
>David Decio (stand-in)
>Debbie McWilliams (casting director)
>Eva Green (actress)
>Gary Powell (stunt coordinator)
>Gregg Wilson (assistant editor)
>Jesper Christensen (actor)
>Judi Dench (actress)
>Lindy Hemming (costume designer)
>Mads Mikkelsen (actor)
>Michael G. Wilson (producer)
>Monty Norman (composer of James Bond theme)
>Neal Purvis (screenwriter)
>Nicholas Dodd (conductor and orchestrator)
>Pauline Hume (end titles)
>Peter Lamont (production designer)
>Richard Sammel (actor)
>Robert Wade (screenwriter)
>Rocky Taylor (stuntman)
>Sébastien Foucan (actor)
>Toby Hefferman (2nd assistant director)
>Tom So (actor)

Photo on top:
The original Swedish film poster for Casino Royale (2006) from From Sweden with Love's private collection.

Read more about the 2006 film Casino Royale on MGM's official website.

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