MI6 reports from Paris where cast and crew descended on Le Grand Rex cinema for the French premiere of Casino Royale...

Casino Royale French Premiere
18th November 2006

Another day, another premiere. On Friday 17th November 2006, whilst the film was opening on general release in the USA, the cast and crew of Casino Royale headed to Paris for the French premiere. Amongst the attendees were Daniel Craig and his girlfriend Satsuki Mitchell, both Bond girls Eva Green (Vesper Lynd) and Caterina Murino (Solange), Sebastien Foucan (Mollaka), director Martin Campbell and his wife, and producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson.

The French premiere was held at at Le Grand Rex cinema in Paris on Friday 17th November 2006 at 8:00pm. The event was a sell out, filling the capacity of 2,800 guests in the theatre, with many fans scooping early tickets to the event for only 10 Euros.

Above: Daniel Craig and girlfriend Satsuki Mitchell, director Martin Campbell with wife Solveig

Whilst the special guests were walking the red carpet, posing for photographs and signing many autographs for the hundreds of fans who turned out for the event, those inside the theatre were treated to a rendition of Bond themes from a 50-piece orchestra.

Producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli were then introduced on stage at 8:00pm, followed by director Martin Campbell. Three of French-speaking cast members were then invited to say a few words, starting with free-runner Sebastien Foucan who stars as Mollaka in the explosive opening action scenes in the film.

Above: Eva Green (Vesper Lynd) and Caterina Murino (Solange)

Next up was Caterina Murino, who mentioned that Casino Royale was the last film that she would appear in a bikini as she was "getting too old for it", much to the disgruntlement of the audience who tried to persuade her otherwise.

Finally, Eva Green (who brought her mother as her guest at the premiere) explained her role in the film, describing the love story between Vesper and Bond and the emphasis of the movie was on the emotional journey the characters take.

Above: Eva Green poses for photographers with her mother (left) and Sebastien Foucan (right)

Foucan then talked about how Craig got on with the action scenes filmed in the Bahamas and how Craig had helped him with working on his first motion picture. Finally, Craig was asked to demonstrate Bond's "killer look", which raised a hearty laugh from Martin Campbell, before Craig said "No acting on stage, let's rather look at the movie now...". The curtain went up and a little under two and a half hours later, the film received a rapturous round of applause from the 2,800 guests at Le Grand Rex cinema.

The film goes on nationwide release in France on 22nd November 2006.

Above: Caterina Murino is dwarfed by a huge banner of Daniel Craig as 007

Around The World With Casino Royale
Next up... Director Martin Campbell will attend the New Zealand premiere at SkyCity Cinemas in Newmarket, Auckland on Thursday 30th November 2006. Daniel Craig and Caterina Murino will be the stars of the show at the Australian premiere in Sydney on Monday 4th December 2006. Martin Campbell and producer Barbara Broccoli will also attend. The film opens nationwide in Australia and New Zealand from Thursday 7th December 2006.

Related Articles
Casino Royale Coverage
Casino Royale World Premiere Report
Casino Royale Swiss Premiere

Thanks to 'Suivez ce parachute'