From l. to r.: Javier Bardem, Berenice Marlohe, Naomie Harris and Daniel Craig mark the start of production on the 23rd Bond film, ‘Skyfall,’ at Massimo Restaurant & Oyster Bar in London.
Daniel Craig will return for the 23rd installment of the longest running franchise in film history, which will be called “Skyfall,” the movie’s longtime producers announced at a London press conference Thursday morning.
“[It has] all the elements of a classic Bond movie, including – to quell any rumours – lots of action,” director Sam Mendes said, referring to grumbling from critics that his selection meant a focus on drama over car chases.
The press conference was held in London’s Whitehall, where shooting on “Skyfall” officially gets underway Thursday after more than a year-long delay sparked by studio MGM’s bankruptcy. The timing may have been perfect, however, as the movie will hit theaters next year, the 50th anniversary of the first Bond film, “Dr. No.”
The franchise has raked in $1.6 billion at the box office in North America alone.
Mendes said the film will leave fans shaken and stirred as it sends Bond to London, Shanghai, Istanbul and Scotland.
Javier Barden was on hand to confirm the rumors that he had been cast to play the film’s villain. ““Who told you a villain is a bad person? For me, it’s an honor to be at this table for many reasons,” he told reporters at the event. “It will be fun to do.”
Also joining Craig and Bardem are returnee Judy Dench, French actress Berenice Malohe, Naomi Harris and Ralph Fiennes.
With News Wire Services
