Casino Royale (2006 film)

:For the novel and the 1954 television episode, see Casino Royale. For the 1967 film spoof, see Casino Royale (1967 film)

Unconfirmed reports

The following is a list of unconfirmed reports that have been covered by the media since the release of Die Another Day.

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The search for the new James Bond

Pierce Brosnan

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Currently, it is unknown as to who will play the role of James Bond in Casino Royale. Pierce Brosnan at one point was still considered to be in the running, but confirmed to several newspapers on October 14, 2004 that "It's absolutely over," and that he considered himself "fired" from the role. Brosnan later in February and July 2005 reconfirmed this by posting on his website that he was out.

Related Topics:
Pierce Brosnan - October 14 - 2004 - February - July - 2005

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On April 17, 2005, EON Productions issued an official statement saying that, as of that date, no actor had yet been chosen to play James Bond, except that it "definitely will not be Pierce Brosnan".

Related Topics:
April 17 - 2005

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On April 27, Dame Judi Dench, who played the role of M in all four of Brosnan's Bond films, was quoted by Britain's Daily Mirror as saying, "Despite the fact that everyone on the face of the earth has been tested as (Brosnan's) possible replacement, he'll be doing it again, and it'll be announced come summer." EON and Sony responded that no decision had been made http://www.imdb.com/news/wenn/2005-04-28#celeb5. Dench later recanted, stating that "all I know is that I'm in ." http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/artsentertainment/2002285797_dames24.html

Related Topics:
April 27 - Dame Judi Dench - M - Daily Mirror

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Regardless of the search for a new James Bond and reports about Casino Royale reinventing the character of Bond, numerous 'inside sources' and various media outlets consistently report that Brosnan is not out of the running and that a return is still very possible http://commanderbond.net/?action=Story&SID=2929 http://www.mi6.co.uk/sections/articles/bond_21_brosnan_back.php3?t=bond21&s=bond21.

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Replacement search

According to The Observer, the EON Productions office has compiled a list of no less than 72 actors who have been named as contenders for the role by various media over the last couple of years http://www.ianfleming.org/mt_content/000251.html.

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Throughout 2004 and 2005, an endless stream of potential new Bonds were rumored and even announced by some media. These names consist of collection of both unknowns and established Hollywood actors. Some of the popular names mentioned at one time or another as possible Bonds are:

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• Names in bold indicate actors who have confirmed that they've auditioned for the role.

Replacement search rumor timeline

Even immediately after the release of Die Another Day, rumors had already begun that Pierce Brosnan would not be back for another James Bond film. On April 22, 2003, IMDb reported that Jonathan Rhys-Meyers had screentested for the role. http://www.imdb.com/news/wenn/2003-04-22#celeb4

Related Topics:
Die Another Day - April 22 - IMDb - Jonathan Rhys-Meyers

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On April 6, 2004, Michael Madsen, who played Damien Falco in Die Another Day, was quoted as saying that Brosnan "told me he doesn't want to do another one," and that he was told Brosnan's replacement would be an Australian. http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/TorontoSun/Entertainment/2004/04/06/410272.html This focused attention on Australian candidates Hugh Jackman, Eric Bana, Julian McMahon and Heath Ledger.

Related Topics:
April 6 - Michael Madsen - Die Another Day - Australian - Hugh Jackman - Eric Bana - Julian McMahon - Heath Ledger

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On August 2, IMDb reported that Bana had been offered the role. http://www.imdb.com/news/wenn/2004-08-02#celeb3 Bana was then reported on August 5 as saying, "I've said like a million times I wouldn't do it. It's never, ever, ever been something we've had a discussion about. I haven't got a bloody clue where this all started." http://www.imdb.com/news/wenn/2004-08-05#celeb4

Related Topics:
August 2 - August 5

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On September 13, IMDb reported Britain's Sunday Mirror as claiming that Dougray Scott would be the next James Bond. http://www.imdb.com/news/wenn/2004-09-13#celeb3 Scott's mother was soon reported as saying that "it's not true, he has other commitments." http://www.imdb.com/news/wenn/2004-09-20#celeb10

Related Topics:
September 13 - Dougray Scott

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In early November, Brosnan was quoted in the North American media as preferring fellow Irish actor Colin Farrell for the role. The comment, however, was taken completely out of context and was initially a joke by Brosnan. Farrell, for his part, replied that he had no interest in playing the role.

Related Topics:
Irish - Colin Farrell

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Previously, Brosnan had more seriously endorsed Colin Salmon http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/film/2489503.stm. Salmon played Charles Robinson in three of Brosnan's films, and also performed as James Bond for actress screen tests for Die Another Day. In early December 2004, Ladbrokes briefly stopped taking bets on the identity of the new James Bond after receiving six £500 bets on Salmon, which they claim came out of the blue and could have been placed by people with inside knowledge. MGM and a spokeswoman for Salmon refused to comment on whether he has been approached or not. If chosen, he would be the first black actor to play the role.

Related Topics:
Colin Salmon - Screen test - Ladbrokes

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On January 21, 2005, the website www.mi6.co.uk reported that final screen testing for the role was underway and Scottish actor Rory McCann, who bears a resemblance to Sean Connery, was considered the leading contender for the role.

Related Topics:
January 21 - 2005 - Rory McCann - Sean Connery

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On January 23, Reuters reported that British bookmakers still placed Jackman as the 2-1 favorite to be given the role.

Related Topics:
January 23 - Reuters

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Popular candidate Clive Owen has played Bond-like roles in the film Croupier and in a series of short BMW films called The Hire. Rumors for Owen intensified in early 2005, after he was awarded a Golden Globe and nominated for both a BAFTA and a Best Supporting Actor Academy Award for his 2004 film, Closer. On March 29, the website The Movie Reporter, citing "inside sources", stated that Owen might be announced as the new Bond following the release of his latest film, Sin City http://www.iesb.net/movies2/movie032905.php.

Related Topics:
Clive Owen - Croupier - BMW films - Golden Globe - BAFTA - Academy Award - 2004 - Closer - March 29 - Sin City

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At about this same time, rumors also began to swirl around Layer Cake star Daniel Craig. On April 6, the British tabloid The Sun reported that EON had whittled their shortlist down to Owen and Craig, that Owen had declined the role because of fears that it would limit his career, and that a three-film contract worth £15 million had been offered to Craig. http://film.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,12589,1453249,00.html However, when contacted by BBC News in response to this story, EON denied that a choice of actor had been made, and indicated that no announcement is expected regarding the next Bond actor until some time after director Martin Campbell completes his current film assignment, The Legend of Zorrohttp://www.commanderbond.net/?action=Story&SID=2725. A spokesperson for Craig told the India-based The Statesman newspaper that the actor was not going to be the next Bondhttp://www.thestatesman.net/page.arcview.php?date=2005-04-07&usrsess=1&clid=8&id=101557.

Related Topics:
Layer Cake - Daniel Craig - The Legend of Zorro - India - The Statesman

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On April 7, 2005, movie rumor site Moviehole reported that 26-year-old Heath Ledger was the frontrunner to play Bond. http://www.moviehole.net/news/3500.html

Related Topics:
April 7 - 2005 - Heath Ledger

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On May 2, Craig stated that MGM had assured him that he had the job, but that the Broccoli family had then objected, and concluded, "I don't know what the deal is." Layer Cake director Matthew Vaughn similarly stated that he had been offered the job of directing the film by the studio, but not by the Broccolis. http://filmforce.ign.com/bond/articles/609/609721p1.html As for Owen, an article in the Telegraph Magazine portion of Britain's Daily Telegraph suggested that Owen may be out of the running because he is expected to be too busy for the next year to fit the production of a Bond film into his schedule (Owen says he is "booked out".)http://debrief.commanderbond.net/index.php?showtopic=23162 Given their past performances, either Owen or Craig would most likely represent a move towards a grittier, more stripped-down approach to Bond, in the tradition of Timothy Dalton's portrayal and the recent Jason Bourne film series.

Related Topics:
May 2 - Matthew Vaughn - Telegraph Magazine - Daily Telegraph - Timothy Dalton - Jason Bourne

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In June 2005, the actor being identified by some media as a potential favorite by director Martin Campbell for the part was Croatian Goran Visnjic who, along with other actors such as Julian McMahon and Dominic West, had announced that he had auditioned for the part. If chosen, Visnjic would become the first non-Anglophone actor to play Bond.

Related Topics:
Croatian - Goran Visnjic - Julian McMahon - Dominic West - Auditioned

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On July 6, candidate Julian McMahon stated that "I think Ioan (Gruffudd) is playing Bond." Gruffudd declined to comment, saying he didn't "want to jinx it." http://www.contactmusic.com/new/xmlfeed.nsf/mndwebpages/gruffudd%20fears%20hell%20jinx%20bond%20role%20if%20he%20talks%20about%20it On July 19, Gruffudd was reported as saying, "there's no truth in me being lined up to play Bond", and also as stating that he felt he was too young for the role. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/article/ds22723.html

Related Topics:
July 6 - Julian McMahon - Ioan (Gruffudd) - July 19

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On July 20, according to The Daily Telegraph newspaper, EON had narrowed the shortlist down to four candidates, who were not identified http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2005/07/20/dp2001.xml.

Related Topics:
July 20 - The Daily Telegraph

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On July 24, the Sunday Mirror tabloid claimed that the shortlist had been whittled down to Henry Cavill, Alex O'Lachlan, Ewan Stewart and Goran Visnjic.http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/tm_objectid=15773067&method=full&siteid=106694&headline=004---film-hunks-on-shortlist-to-be-new-james-bond--name_page.html In reporting this story, Commanderbond.net revealed that sources had suggested several weeks earlier that the 22-year-old Cavill was a finalist. The site speculates, however, that these four names may be a "smoke screen" and that the actual actor chosen may be someone else; according to site sources, an official announcement is expected "shortly".http://www.commanderbond.net/?action=Story&SID=2849

Related Topics:
July 24 - Henry Cavill - Alex O'Lachlan - Ewan Stewart - Goran Visnjic

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On August 7, Alex O'Lachlan told the Daily Telegraph that he was one of four finalists, and that he expected a decision would be made within 20 days. He did not specify the names of the other finalists. (August 27 came and went with no announcement.)

Related Topics:
August 7 - Daily Telegraph

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On August 13, the Sunday Times reported that Hugh Jackman turned down an offer to play Bond. It has not been confirmed why Jackman turned down the role, or if his decision occurred before or after the decision on the earlier reported runners-up. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,542-1733444,00.html

Related Topics:
August 13 - Sunday Times - Hugh Jackman

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On September 5, CommanderBond.net reported that statements about there being a "final four" were premature, and that Martin Campbell was scheduled to conduct another round of screen tests at an unspecified date. The 37-year-old Daniel Craig is still considered to be in the running and by some insiders is claimed to be EON Production's preferred choice, despite confirmation from screenwriters Robert Wade and Paul Haggis that Casino Royale will take place early in Bond's career. Followups to this article tend to imply that Sony fears Craig may be too much of a commercial risk and that their preferred choice for a successful Bond film is Pierce Brosnan for a fifth and final time http://commanderbond.net/?action=Story&SID=2929.

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On September 27, 2005, CommanderBond.net reported that Eon Productions and Sony executives would be meeting in London during the first week of October to make a final decision as to who would play Bond in "Casino Royale." The website sites a source as saying, " they can?t agree, all bets are off. Including making their start date." http://commanderbond.net/cw.cgi?action=Story&SID=2932 On the same day, Variety reported that Sam Worthington, in addition to Daniel Craig, Henry Cavill, and Goran Visnjic, recently screentested for the role.

Related Topics:
September 27 - 2005 - Sam Worthington

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Younger Bonds

The revelation by Martin Campbell that Casino Royale will be a reboot of the series suggests, as has been reported, that a young actor is more likely to be considered for the role than someone in his 30s or 40s. What effect this might have on the chances of fan favorites such as Clive Owen and other frontrunners, who could now be seen as being too old for the part, remains to be seen.

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According to a report by CommanderBond.net, EON Productions and Sony are considering younger actors for the role, most of which are unknowns. One source of theirs claims as low as 22 (as noted above, this was probably a reference to Henry Cavill).

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This is not the first time that a younger actor has been considered for the role of Bond. George Lazenby for instance was only 29 when he donned the tuxedo in 1969's On Her Majesty's Secret Service. Prior to Lazenby getting the part, Timothy Dalton, who later played the role in 1987 was offered the role to replace Sean Connery at the age of 24; however, Dalton didn't accept because he considered himself too young.

Related Topics:
George Lazenby - 1969 - On Her Majesty's Secret Service - Timothy Dalton - 1987 - Sean Connery

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Since Brosnan signaled his departure from the role in 2004, Orlando Bloom has consistently featured in media reports as a possible contender. The rumors for Bloom heightened with the release of the latest James Bond novel by Charlie Higson, SilverFin, in which Bond is a thirteen year-old boy attending Eton College. This connection may reflect some confusion on the part of pundits. Although the "Young Bond" book series will be published by Miramax Books, Miramax Pictures has no film rights to it, and no such rights have been assigned. The book is also set in 1933, an unlikely move for the film series to take. Most obviously, Bloom is 28 years old, so it is difficult to see a connection to the 13-year-old Bond of SilverFin. Bloom has denied ever being offered the role, and similarly to Dalton, has stated that he considers himself too young to be a serious contender for it.

Related Topics:
Orlando Bloom - Charlie Higson - SilverFin - Eton College - Miramax Books - Miramax Pictures

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Will Sony step in?

As noted, there have been media reports that Sony may attempt to bring Pierce Brosnan back into the role of Bond for a fifth time, despite announced plans for Casino Royale to feature a younger Bond and be a prequel. On September 5, the official site of Ian Fleming Publications, ianfleming.org, cited a September 4 report by the Sunday Times that Amy Pascal, chair of Sony Pictures, was planning to "convene a second 007 summit" with the aim of picking the next 007 (and perhaps, the site suggests, "knock a few heads together"); the same report suggests that Sony may consider delaying the film.http://www.ianfleming.org/mt_content/000259.html

Related Topics:
September 5 - Ian Fleming Publications - Sunday Times - Amy Pascal

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Other cast

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• Prior to the release of the 2002 Bond film Die Another Day, it was reported that Michael Madsen had already been signed to reprise the role of Damian Falco, an NSA agent, in not only Bond 21 but also Bond 22. It remains to be seen whether this will actually occur, particularly after the cancellation in 2003 of a planned spinoff film focusing on Halle Berry's character, Jinx, from Die Another Day (Falco being identified as her superior).
• Following the release of Die Another Day, it was reported in numerous media outlets that Kylie Minogue and/or her sister Dannii Minogue had been either signed or invited (depending upon the source) to appear in the next film and also to perform the theme song. Whether this will actually happen has yet to be seen, especially given Kylie Minogue's May 2005 bout with breast cancer. However, the British Sun tabloid reported in early June 2005 that she was still in negotiations for the role, despite her illness.http://www.mi6.co.uk/news/index.php?itemid=2466&catid=2 Numerous other singers and actresses have been named as possible co-stars in the next film. Those reported in the media as either being considered or expressing interest in appearing have included: Britney Spears, Keira Knightley (debunked), Sienna Miller, Camilla Power (who was the Bond girl for the screentests), French pop singer Alizée, Mariah Carey, and Indian actress and former Miss World Aishwarya Rai.
• In November 2004, the British tabloid Daily Record reported that Samantha Bond would not be returning as Miss Moneypenny due to her feeling that the next Bond will be younger than her. She stated that it would depend on the actor chosen, but most likely she wouldn't return. An August 31, 2005 report in the Hollywood Reporter indicated that the producers were indeed searching for a new actress to play the role.
• The role of Le Chiffre hasn't been mentioned much, but Gulshan Grover has said that he is the new villain of the moviehttp://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1249787.cms, Donald Sutherland has also been rumored to have screentested for the role.

Crew

• On July 18, 2005, the CommanderBond.net website reported that Stuart Baird, director of ' and a noted film editor with a career going back to the first Christopher Reeve Superman film, is the "top candidate" for the Editor position on Casino Royale, although the report suggests that Christian Wagner, editor of Die Another Day, is still considered a possible candidate, too http://www.commanderbond.net/?action=Story&SID=2842.

Vehicles and gadgets

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In 2004, Henrik Fisker, designer of the latest Aston Martin models confirmed that the AMV8 Vantage would be Bond's next car http://www.pistonheads.com/doc.asp?c=52&i=7957. Due to the film being delayed by at least a year, it is no longer certain whether this will be true.

Related Topics:
Henrik Fisker - Aston Martin - AMV8 Vantage - Car

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Other sources have claimed that Bond's next vehicle may be more of a SUV/off-road vehicle. In mid-2004 TheLandRoverChronicle.com published a story claiming that the Bond producers were interested in the Range Stormer from Land Rover http://www.commanderbond.net/?action=Story&SID=2406. On July 28, 2005 it was reported that the Fiat Panda was going to make an appearance in Casino Royale http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/07/28/business/fiat.php, a report later apparently confirmed on August 3 by Fiat itself http://www.fiat.nl/cgi-bin/pbrand.dll/FIAT_HOLLAND/news/news.jsp?contentOID=1074059502 although EON has yet to make an announcement.

Related Topics:
SUV - Range Stormer - Land Rover - July 28 - 2005 - Fiat - Panda - August 3

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Locations

While, Michael Wilson has confirmed that the film will be filmed and or take place in Prague and South Africa, there have been reports since claiming that EON Productions is having problems securing film locations in South Africa http://commanderbond.net/?action=Story&SID=2877. On September 13, 2005 CommanderBond.net reported that Martin Campbell (director) and Phil Meheux (director of photography) were scouting Paradise Island in The Bahamas as a possible location for the film http://commanderbond.net/?action=Story&SID=2922. On October 6, 2005 Martin Campbell confirmed that "Casino Royale" would film in The Bahamas and "maybe Italy." Studio work will be done in Prague with a few days work on the historic Albert R. Broccoli 007 Stage at Pinewood Studios in England. http://commanderbond.net/?action=Story&SID=2945.

Related Topics:
September 13 - 2005 - Paradise Island - The Bahamas - October 6 - Albert R. Broccoli - Pinewood Studios

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Production and release

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In EON Production's press release announcing the director and title of the film they also announced that Casino Royale would be released in 2006, however, no specific date has been revealed. According to the film trade publication, The Hollywood Reporter, MGM has set a tentative release date of November 17, 2006 http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000856722. While no release date has been announced by either MGM or EON, Casino Royale, according to Judi Dench in a March 2005 interview with BBC Radio 2, is set to begin filming in January or February of 2006 http://www.commanderbond.net/?action=Story&SID=2696. As noted above, Michael Wilson has mentioned October 19, 2006 as another possible release date.

Related Topics:
The Hollywood Reporter - November 17 - 2006 - Judi Dench - BBC Radio 2

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Although the film is confirmed for a 2006 release, various media outlets have reported rumors that the film may be pushed back to the following year, 2007, for obvious publicity reasons. No information to support this conclusion by anyone associated with the film has ever been reported.

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An April 17, 2005 article in The Observer put forward the possibility of a release later than November 17, citing EON sources as stating that the earliest the film would be released is the "end of 2006".http://www.ianfleming.org/mt_content/000251.html As noted above, the Sunday Times reported in September 2005 that Sony may delay release of the film, though the article does not speculate as to for how long.

Related Topics:
April 17 - 2005

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Novelization

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Ian Fleming Publications has yet to announce whether Casino Royale will be novelized like previous Bond films from Licence to Kill to Die Another Day. By the time the 2006 release date arrives, the company will be well into a new series of Young Bond novels about a teenage Bond written by Charlie Higson. It seems unlikely that Higson will be asked to write a novel based upon the adult Bond, so a new author might be commissioned for this purpose. The publisher may choose to simply reissue Fleming's original book, Casino Royale with a movie tie-in cover as previous Fleming novels have in the past.

Related Topics:
Ian Fleming Publications - Novelized - Licence to Kill - Die Another Day - Young Bond - Charlie Higson

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