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Dame Judi Dench confirms she will be back as M for Casino Royale, with location filming in Prague and the Bahamas...

Judi Dench Confirmed To Play M
24th November 2005

All doubts about the casting of Dame Judi Dench for "Casino Royale" can be laid to rest today, as the actress confirmed she will be appearing as M in the 21st James Bond film.

Following on from her four appearances as the MI6 chief opposite Pierce Brosnan as 007, Dench will continue her role as M with Daniel Craig as the new James Bond.

Asked about whether she would be returning for the film, Dench told Empire Online, "Yes of course. And I heard today that I'm not going to be in London. I'm going to get to go to Prague and The Bahamas".

She added, "They're getting me out of my box. It's a whole film there. I'm very much looking forward to working with Daniel [Craig], but I've not even read a script yet. All I know is that we're due to start in February."

Principal photography is slated to commence on January 17th 2006 with some scenes being shot at Pinewood (UK), despite earlier indications that the entire production would move abroad. MI6 can confirm that significant sequences from the film will be shot at Bond's spiritual home in Pinewood.

Above: Dame Judi Dench as M in the 2002 film "Die Another Day"

Director Martin Campbell has repeatedly hinted that "Casino Royale" will take 007 back to his early career in a "Bond Begins" type fashion. How Dench's continued role as M will gel with this concept remains to be seen, or in fact, if maintaining continuity between the Bond's in the series is being considered.

Miss Moneypenny and Q will be absent from the film (Samantha Bond pre-empted the character's omission from the script as she stepped away from her role when Pierce Brosnan departed, but John Cleese is still contracted for another two films).

"Casino Royale", the 21st James Bond film, will be directed by Martin Campbell and shooting is scheduled to commence on January 17th 2006 for release on November 17th 2006, distributed by Columbia Pictures. British actor Daniel Craig will James Bond, the sixth actor cast as 007. Stay tuned to MI6 for the latest and most accurate coverage of Casino Royale.