Work has begun on a new James Bond stage at Pinewood Studios after a fire destroyed the previous one in July.

Planning permission has been approved and the stage will be completed in early 2007, Pinewood executives said in a statement.

The replacement will be the same size as the previous one but modern building techniques mean there will be more usable space inside.

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Clive Owen has backed "proper actor" Daniel Craig as James Bond, predicting that his first film as 007 will show "what a great choice he was". Owen, who had been linked to the iconic role before Craig was chosen, told BBC News: "He is not shallow or posing, they have cast a really serious actor."

He said criticism of the choice was inevitable, but that people would "get off his back when the film comes out".

"I think when Craig first took the part he got a pretty rough ride, which to a certain extent is inevitable because there are so many different people who have so many different ideas about something like that," said Owen.

While she readily accepted the offer to star opposite Daniel Craig in the upcoming 007 flick, new Bond girl Eva Green insists she has never been a fan of the British superspy movies.

The 26-year-old, who plays Vesper Lynd in Casino Royale, says she has watched Bond films like most people, but has never been one of its ardent admirers.

"I've seen Bond movies like anybody. I was never a big fan. I didn't have any posters in my bedroom," Contactmusic quoted her, as saying.

However, despite her lack of interest in the 007 flicks, she has claimed that of all the Bonds, Sean Connery is her favorite.

"Sean is my favorite Bond because he looks quite naughty." Once again proving that women love the bad boys.

CHESTER will be hosting the regional premiere of Casino Royale, the new James Bond film starring the city-born and Wirral-raised Daniel Craig.

A specially-invited audience will be the first in the region to see the new 007 in action at the Odeon in Chester on Wednesday, November 15.

North West Vision, the film, TV and digital media agency for the North West, has confirmed the regional premiere will take place in the birth place of Daniel Craig.

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Daniel Craig is sure to shock Bond fans with his latest film where he shares a kiss with another man.

The actor, who debuts as 007 in 'Casino Royale' this November, shares an onscreen kiss with another chap in a new film entitled 'Infamous' - which documents the life of author Truman Capote.



In the movie, Craig plays convicted killer Perry Smith and his character has a relationship with Capote, played by British actor Toby Jones.

The film, which is already being tipped for Oscar success, closes with the pair sharing a passionate kiss in Smith's prison cell.

Jones remarked recently: "I never dreamed I would kiss James Bond."

Daniel Craig, who assumes the mantle of 007 in the upcoming 21st James Bond film Casino Royale, told the Reuters news service that the coolest thing about making the film was "finishing, probably." The production involved a rigorous training and filming schedule for the actor. To create the film's signature stunt sequences, Craig was beat up, blown up and hung on wires on the back of a fuel tanker, the news service reported.

The story is based on Ian Fleming's first Bond novel, of the same name. Written in 1953, it depicts the British spy's first mission for Her Majesty's Secret Service. The film will update the setting to the present, but the opening sequence will have a nostalgic feel to it, the news service reported. "We have an opening sequence that is filmed in black and white, which is not to say this is old," Craig said. "It is just to say, 'Go with us on this one. This is from the beginning.'"

Actor Daniel Craig has become a poker expert during the filming of gambling scenes in forthcoming James Bond movie Casino Royale. Craig enjoyed learning how to play cards so much, he's taken to poker in his spare time as well.

He says, "We all had to learn the game and to look convincing playing it. And let's just say there were some extra-curricular sessions that went on off-set that were all down to the cast and crew. I think some were playing for their week's wages!"

007 Daniel Craig has revealed that he is unimpressed with the toy version of himself, claiming the action figure is too moody.

Craig, who stars as James Bond 007 in the remake of 'Casino Royale', feels the action figure, which will be released alongside the new film in November, does not do him justice.

In particular, Craig takes issue with the expression on the characters face, saying: "He scowls a lot. He may need to soften up a little bit."

The star also revealed that he will not hesitate to criticise should the video game version of his character not come up to scratch either.

Craig remarked: "I have a clear input in all this as I know there are some things that are wrong." Good for him.

Hollywood veteran Sir Sean Connery would only consider coming out of retirement for a fourth Indiana Jones film. The Bond legend has discussed reprising his role as Indiana Jones' father in the blockbuster series with heavyweight film-makers George Lucas and Steven Spielberg - but only if they bring a good offer to the table.

Connery says, "It would have to be an offer that I couldn't refuse to do it. Maybe I'm too expensive." The Scottish actor also reveals Lucas had been "not enthusiastic" about his participation initially. He adds "He wanted someone more like YODA. The first time we had a meeting, I didn't ring any bells with him. I wanted Tom Stoppard to write the script."

The 38-year-old actor has agreed to reprise his role as James Bond for two more films after CR but is being paid far less than his predecessor Pierce Brosnan
A source told Britain's Sunday Mirror newspaper: "Daniel is very much a poor man's 007. He's facing an uphill battle to win over Bond fans before 'Casino Royale' is even released, and it looks like producers got him slightly on the cheap."

"For a role like this you would actually expect him to get a lot more."

Craig will receive $2.8 million for his first outing as the secret agent this November. The next film, set to be released in 2008, will see the actor bank $5.6 million. For his third appearance as Bond, Craig will pick up between $7.5 million and $8.5 million.

Brosnan reportedly lost the role when he demanded over $40 million to appear in Casino Royale though we highly doubt the accuracy of the sum requested.

Cars, multi-million dollar houses, and high-priced hookers are not what new Bond Daniel Craig is spending his hard earned money on these days, preferring instead some rare paintings.

The blonde Bond, who has reportedly raked in $2.8 million for ‘Casino Royale’, revealed that as soon as his money starts rolling in, he will be snapping up rare pictures to add to his collection.

"I`d love to get into buying art, though I haven`t started making money yet," the Mirror quoted him, as saying.

James Bond actor Daniel Craig is to take the role of Lord Asriel in the film adaptation of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials books. He will star alongside Nicole Kidman as the glamorous, ambitious Mrs Coulter and the unknown English schoolgirl, 12-year-old Dakota Blue Richards, as heroine Lyra Belacqua.

Filming will start in Britain on September 4, and the film is scheduled for release in December next year. The trilogy, budgeted at $157 million, is to be made by New Line, the company behind The Lord of the Rings films, one of the most successful franchises.

The Bond star's ex-wife breaks a 40 year silence to give her first account of a marriage blighted by violence, jealousy and astonishing meanness:

Diane Cilento revelled in the warmth of the Spanish evening sun. Surrounded by the cast and crew of the movie her husband Sean Connery was shooting in Almeria, she drank freely, and laughed and danced with other guests into the small hours.

For the actors, the invitation to a local wedding was a chance to let off steam after a long day’s filming, but for Diane the celebration was a welcome change from hours waiting for Connery to return from the set of The Hill.

Towards the end of the evening, she sought out her husband of three years - by then world famous as James Bond - and went up to their room to find him.



‘I was a bit drunk,’ she recalls, talking about the incident fully for the first time, but she could never have expected what came next. Connery was waiting for her. ‘Once inside our room in the darkness, I felt a blow to my face and was knocked to the floor and passed out for a few seconds. Then I was screaming, we were both shouting. I got to my feet and tried to fight back, but another blow sent me flying.

The jumbo jet parked on the runway is ready to be blown up. The fuel truck with the leaky gas tank — and a terrorist bomber behind the wheel — is idling in a nearby hangar. And the Aston Martin belonging to a certain secret agent has juts pulled up to the curb.
In other words, everyone at this secluded airfield outside London, on this picture-perfect July afternoon, is waiting for the cameras to roll on what could be one of the most spectacularly explosive — not to mention spectacularly expensive — action sequences ever shot for a James Bond movie.

''The paparazzi are everywhere,'' sighs a weary Daniel Craig, taking a break as security guards chase after the winged intruder. ''We pulled two of them out of the bushes last night. They were in Prague when we were there. They were in Venice. They were on the beaches in the Bahamas. Everywhere Casino Royale has shot, they've been there.'

The next James Bond film is still in need of a director and one will have to be found soon if it is to make its May 2, 2008 release date.

The trade paper Variety reports that British filmmaker Roger Michell, who had been in talks to helm the 22nd Bond movie, and Eon Prods. have reached an impasse. "Creative differences" were cited as the reason for why negotiations fell apart.

Michell had previously directed new 007 Daniel Craig in Enduring Love. Production on Bond 22 is slated to begin in early 2007.

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Daniel Craig is dressed to kill. Craig, the new James Bond, is the world‘s best-dressed man, according to Esquire magazine‘s third annual sartorial ranking.

Oscar nominees Terrence Howard and Jake Gyllenhaal ranked third and fourth, respectively, and brooding musician Nick Cave placed fifth.

Axl Rose , Marc Anthony and Britney Spears‘ 11-month old son, Sean Preston Federline, were named the worst dressed.

Daniel Craig vows to be the baddest motherfucking Bond ever.
He told Esquire mag he was not amused by some fans' criticism. He added: "You lose your sense of humour rapidly. But I vowed to work twice as hard to get it right."

Craig, 38, insists he has injected some evil into the suave secret agent and claims fans will be shocked by his take on the character.

He also said: "I think there has to be an element of cruelty. Certain things he does should be questionable. I think you should go, 'Fuck, that's not nice'. He IS an assassin."

DANIEL CRAIG will be proudly wearing Sunspel boxer shorts in upcoming JAMES BOND film CASINO ROYALE, after the British underwear company won the coveted contract. The boxers - which boast JOHNNY DEPP among their fans - were first made famous when hunk NICK KAMEN wore them in a 1985 advert for Levi's. A Sunspel spokeswoman says: "This is a major deal for us so everyone is really excited. There's a lot of interest in the film so we know there's going to be a lot of interest in Sunspel."

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It's a while since that big debate about who should play the next James Bond.
Things seemed to have calmed down since Daniel Craig was chosen as the new 007 - but it's all kicked off again. Jamie Foxx has had a bit of a dig at movie producers by saying that they should've chosen a black for the new James Bond.

And, instead of modestly suggesting himself as the ideal choice for the tux and Martini, he's gunning for bezza mate, rapper Diddy, as the ideal spy.

Jamie, who's currently starring in Miami Vice with Colin Farrell, told The Sun: "Bond has got to come on up, man. They've got to get with the times.

"It needs oomph right now. Diddy would have made a good Bond."

According to Foxx, a white man doesn't deliver the oomph.

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New JAMES BOND star DANIEL CRAIG was forced to overcome his crippling fear of heights to play the superspy in CASINO ROYALE.

Craig admits he was terrified when producers told him he would have to climb a 200 foot (60 metre) crane. He says, "It was borderline fun and fear. But there was no time for my fear of heights. You just have to do it." Craig was also required to fight a bad guy on a staircase, which the actor admits he found more scary. He explains, "That sequence is particularly difficult because we rehearsed on the flat and had to film it on the stairs.

"I have definitely put a few demons to bed."

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"There was only one Bond for me, and it was Sean Connery. That made the role daunting."
“Bond is an enigma. He’s smooth and bigger than life, but he’s vague as a personality. It’s a little like doing a period piece. Look, I’m thankful, the role made me an international star. I’ve been in the backwaters of Papua New Guinea and heard, "Hey, Bond."

While the four films that Brosnan starred in as 007 made over a billion dollars worldwide and he established himself at the No.2 spot as the Best Bond, the No.1 spot is still held by Brosnan’s own favorite. Sean Connery.

Remington Steele was a career criminal gone “straight” and started again as a private investigator, and ironically the huge popularity of the show meant that he missed out on his chance to be James Bond. He had originally been chosen to replace Roger Moore in 1986, but his small screen contract stopped him getting his license to kill, and the role went to Timothy Dalton instead.

"I think that all the films I’ve ever made are personal, even James Bond, because it's so much of myself, so much of who I am as a man and as an actor. You have to invest yourself in every character that you portray".

It would be ten years later before Brosnan finally stepped into the role – and over thirty years since a young Pierce had stepped into a movie theater for the first time and sat down in front of the silver screen to see Goldfinger – the very the first Bond film that was released in 1964.

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