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Shooting of Casino Royale starts January 17th in Prague and South Africa, release planned for October 19th 2006, plus more details from producer Michael G. Wilson...
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Casino Royale - Shooting & Release Dates
18th May 2005
Producer Speaks
Co-Producer Michael G. Wilson unveiled some of the key plans about
the production in a Q&A
session at Claremont science and engineering school at the
weekend.
Wilson confirmed the start date for principal photography was
January 17th 2006, with a release date planned
for October 19th 2006 (which is earlier than
MGM's previous
statement announcing November 17th 2006).
Also confirmed were the locations - Prague and South
Africa. MI6 first reported South Africa was being scouted
for shooting way back in August
2003. "Diamonds Are Forever" is the only film
so far to feature South Africa, in a brief sequence regarding
diamond mining and smuggling at the start of the film -
but 007 did not visit there himself.
In less sensational news, Wilson also confirmed that Aston
Martin will be providing the car, Dame Judi Dench will be
reprising her role as M, and Halle Berry will not be back
(although Wilson said "I'd love to make another film
with her").
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Above: A new Aston Martin will join
007 in "Casino Royale" (AMV8 Vantage pictured) |
Erroneous Reporting
Following trade-press
reports yesterday on the news that James Bond will be heading
to Prague for production of the latest adventure "Casino
Royale", fan speculation about the probable release date
has been sent in to a spin.
MI6 exclusively confirmed that production would be based in the
Czech capital back in early April, and MGM (now "merged"
with Sony) announced the target release date of the film as November
17th 2006 back in March.
But an online version of yesterday's Variety report caused confusion
when a headline read that shooting of the 21st James Bond film
would start in "summer 2006" - not early 2006 as expected
for a Novemeber 2006 release date. This caused fans on various
forums and fansites to incorrectly conclude that the release date
of the film must have been delayed until summer 2007.
The full original version of the Variety piece, as printed in
Cannes
Daily today, clearly states a quote from Eon Productions that
production is aimed for early 2006 - not the summer as misrepresented
by online headlines.
An Eon Productions rep in London described the planned schedule to Variety,
"We're awaiting our director Martin Campbell, who should
come aboard in June, and we hope to start shooting in January
2006".
Above: Prague has been home to many films in recent years. |
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The production community in Prague is reportedly gearing
up for Bond's arrival at Barrandov Studios.
As recently as a few days ago, producers were understood
to be still juggling their options between Barrandov, Ciudad
de la Luz in Alicante, Spain and South Africa, with a view
to start pre-production in a few months, claims Variety.
This would put "Casino Royale" on the same timetable
as the previous film, "Die Another Day", which
also started filming in January for a November release.
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James Bond's Defection
Reports of Bond's defection have sent shock waves through a U.K.
film industry, and even triggered British government ministers
into action. Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell said
yesterday, "Bond films have always used exotic locations
anyway, and at the moment nothing has been decided. But I have
spoken to the UK Film Commissioner Steve Norris and he has assured
me that everything possible is being done to ensure Bond stays
a British film. That is something I would very much welcome."
But other British film sources counseled caution. "If you're
producing a film on the scale of Bond, you book space at studios all
over the place -- Pinewood, Barrandov, Spain. That doesn't mean the
decision has been made where it will shoot," said one insider.
"Casino Royale", the 21st James Bond film, will be
directed by Martin Campbell and shooting is scheduled to commence on
January 17th 2006 in Prague and South Africa. No casting decisions
have been made officially, including the role of 007. Stay tuned to
MI6 for the latest and most accurate coverage of Casino
Royale
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