Daniel Craig announced as new James Bond in Casino Royale

By: Anders Frejdh

Published:
2005-10-14

At a press conference in London, it was just announced that Daniel Craig is the new James Bond, taking over the role from Pierce Brosnan, in a new film titled Casino Royale directed by Martin Campbell who also directed Brosnan (and Izabella Scorupco) in GoldenEye 1995.

It was announced today by producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. and Sony Pictures Entertainment, that DANIEL CRAIG has been cast in the role of the legendary British secret agent, James Bond, in the highly anticipated 007 adventure thriller CASINO ROYALE.

CASINO ROYALE reunites Wilson and Broccoli with Martin Campbell, who directed the 1995 Bond blockbuster GOLDENEYE. His most recent film, "The Legend of Zorro,” will be released on October 28, 2005.

CASINO ROYALE will be the 21st James Bond film produced by the franchise holders, EON Productions. The MGM/Columbia Pictures production begins shooting in January and is due for release worldwide on November 17, 2006. It will be filmed in the Czech Republic, the Bahamas, Italy and the UK.

Neal Purvis & Robert Wade wrote the screenplay based on famed author Ian Fleming's first novel. The script is currently being polished by Academy Award®-nominated writer, Paul Haggis ("Million Dollar Baby”).

Daniel Craig with producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson in London on 14th October 2005.

About actor Daniel Craig

Born in 1968, DANIEL CRAIG was raised on the Wirral nr. Liverpool. He moved to London to join the National Youth Theatre at the age 17 and continued his training at the London Guildhall School of Music and Drama. CRAIG has since become regarded as one of Britain's finest actors securing a variety of roles in television, theatre and film.

He is currently filming a thriller alongside Nicole Kidman, "The Visiting", and has two films in post-production; Steven Spielberg's "Munich" and Douglas McGrath's "Every Word Is True", co-starring Sandra Bullock and Gwyneth Paltrow.

Recent film credits include Sam Mendes' "The Road to Perdition", "The Mother", "Sylvia", and last year he received much critical acclaim for Matthew Vaughn's "Layer Cake" as well as Roger Michell's "Enduring Love".

Wilson and Broccoli said "It has been a long time ambition for us to film the first book in the series, CASINO ROYALE, which defined the complex character of James Bond. We are thrilled DANIEL CRAIG will play the character of 007. Daniel is a superb actor who has all the qualities needed to bring a contemporary edge to the role. CASINO ROYALE will have all the action, suspense and espionage that our audiences have come to expect from us but nevertheless takes the franchise in a new and exciting direction.”

"James Bond is a character without peer in motion picture history,” said Pascal, Chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group. "He is a household name recognized in virtually every corner of the globe and because of this renown, the casting of the new 007 takes on a special importance. We believe that in DANIEL CRAIG we have found the ideal 21st century Bond and we couldn't be more privileged to be working with Barbara and Michael, who are tireless champions and guardians of the James Bond legacy.”

Director Martin Campbell said, "The thing about James Bond is that each actor who has filled the role has brought his own style and imprint. With Daniel as our new Bond, I am thrilled to be returning to shepherd the new 007 in the new Bond adventure.”

Dan Taylor, President of Metro Goldwyn Mayer Inc, said: "All of us here at MGM are delighted that Daniel Craig, an actor of such high-calibre, has been chosen to be the next Bond. We are also very excited to be working closely with Barbara and Michael again and with Columbia Pictures on CASINO ROYALE, which we predict to be the biggest, best Bond ever.”

About Eon Productions

EON Productions is owned by the Broccoli family and is the most successful film series in history. The most recent adventure, Die Another Day (2002), was also the highest grossing film in the franchise bringing in almost 430 USD million in worldwide box office receipts. The World Is Not Enough (1999) grossed 353 USD million, Tomorrow Never Dies released in 1997, grossed more than 340 USD million around the world and GoldenEye (1995), took in 345 USD million.

The enduring film franchise created by the late producer, Albert R. (Cubby) Broccoli, was launched in 1962 with Dr. No starring Sean Connery, who went on to play James Bond in From Russia with Love, Goldfinger (1964), Thunderball (1965), You Only Live Twice and Diamonds Are Forever. George Lazenby had one outing as 007, in On Her Majesty's Secret Service, before Roger Moore took over the role in Live and Let Die, The Man with the Golden Gun, The Spy Who Loved Me, Moonraker (1979), For Your Eyes Only, Octopussy (1983) and A View to a Kill. Timothy Dalton later inherited the role and played the famed spy in The Living Daylights and Licence to Kill.

Visit MGM's official Casino Royale website for more information.

Tags:

#casino_royale

#daniel_craig

#news

Tag Cloud

Daniel Craig announced as new James Bond in Casino Royale

About actor Daniel Craig

About Eon Productions

Tag Cloud