RUMOR: Italian Actress Monica Bellucci In The Mix For BOND 24

On Thursday, we'll finally have the official casting announcements concerning Sam Mendes' Bond 24. This hasn't stopped a couple more casting stories coming out of the woodwork before the final reveal. Deadline is reporting that Italian born actress Monica Bellucci (Tears of The Sun, Dracula, Matrix Reloaded, Matrix Revolutions, Brothers Grimm, Shoot 'Em Up, Dobermann, Brotherhood of The Wolf, Passion of The Christ) might have a role in the film.

Monica would be an age appropriate actress for both Daniel Craig and rumored actor Christoph Waltz (said to be playing villain). Similar to Waltz, Bellucci speaks multiple languages which includes Italian, French, English and Persian. The film has been confirmed to shoot in Rome, but oddly hasn't had any Italian actors linked for roles. Bellucci would be an excellent addition to the world of Bond, so here's hoping this turns out to be true.

SOURCE: DEADLINE

French Actress Léa Seydoux Confirmed For BOND 24

TheDailyMail is confirming previous reports that French actress Léa Seydoux (Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, Blue Is The Warmest Colour, Inglourious Basterds) has indeed landed a leading role in the untitled Bond 24. It's production is about to begin, and offices have already been opened in Italy. Director Sam Mendes has an excellent eye for talented actors, so we should expect more interesting actors added to the lineup soon. No word in this report if Seydoux will be playing friend or foe in the 24th installment.

Originally, Skyfall was going to have a female main antagonist (Rachel Weisz was rumored for the role) set around the backdrop of the heroin trafficking in Afghanistan. That was seemingly removed with rewrites, and another threat/villain was used instead. I'm curious if they'll retread back to this synopsis, considering the current Middle East conflicts would make it quite topical. Léa played an assassin/thief for hire in Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, so she could easily play another villain.

However, we've been hearing rumors for a while now that producers are asking for iconic Bond villain Blofeld to finally make an appearance. MGM recently got back the rights to use the character. Ernst Stavro Blofeld is the leader of the criminal organization known as S.P.E.C.T.R.E. and hasn't shown-up since 1983's Never Say Never Again. I'm sure we'll see Mendes use him before the end of his planned trilogy.

There is also talk via Variety that Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years A Slave, Children of Men) was being eyed for the nemesis role.

SOURCE: DAILYMAIL

If Offered, Idris Elba Would "Absolutely" Take The BOND Role!

Looks like British actor Idris Elba is confirming his desire to pick-up where Daniel Craig leaves-off, when Craig exits the Bond franchise after Bond 25. During his Reddit interview he answered a couple of questions, and the the subject of James Bond came-up. He mentions that he would "absolutely" take the role if offered. We've been hearing for ages that Elba is a fan favorite for the role, along with Michael Fassbender and others.

I'm sure producers are already considering what to do with Bond 26. As months (maybe even years) of planning would be needed to make sure it's a strong first entry into a new era. Bond 26 is years away from now, but with Elba being this vocal and his latest starring vehicle debuting #1 in North America, he seems like a strong contender for the role. We've come to expect the producers of the franchise to be progressive and think outside the box. Elba has all the charm needed for the role, not to mention lengthly action career filled with awards worthy performances along the way as well.

We know that Elba is desperately looking for the right franchise. Marvel met with him about Blade, Luke Cage and Black Panther. Elba confirmed in the Reddit posts, that Marvel has hired someone else for the Cage role. It's also unlikely with him possible return for Thor 3, that Marvel Studios would cast him other roles. There's still a bit of hope that Idris could land a role with the DCU, the roles are quickly getting gobbled-up by other actors.

SOURCE: REDDIT

Legendary Prop Sculptor Brian Muir Will Work On GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY

BleedingCool reports that legendary prop sculptor Brian Muir will be working on Marvel's Guardians of The Galaxy. Brian Muir has worked on a numerous amount of stellar productions including Star Wars: A New Hope (Vader, Storm Troopers), Alien (Space Jockey), Superman, Excalibur, Dragonslayer, The Dark Crystal, Indiana Jones And The Raiders of The Lost Ark, Krull, Indiana Jones And The Temple of Doom, Return To Oz, Willow, Erik The Viking, Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade, Lost In Space, Planet of The Apes, Harry Potter (The Prisoner of Azkaban, The Order of The Phoenix, The Half-Blood Prince, The Deathly Hollows), James Bond (Skyfall, Die Another Day, Tomorrow Never Dies, Golden Eye, License To Kill, The Living Daylights, A View To A Kill, For Your Eyes Only, The Spy Who Loved Me) John Carter, Captain America: The First Avenger, Thor: The Dark World and Snow White And The Huntsman. Including creating the iconic helmet for Darth Vader in the first Star Wars film.

Sam Mendes Coming Back To Direct BOND 24?

This shouldn't come as a shock but TheDailyMail reports that Skyfall director Sam Mendes is quite possibly returning to make Bond 24. I say it's not surprising because earlier it was reported that Mendes was working with screenwriter John Logan on Bond 24's script. It was the first hint that Sam could be back in the director's chair.

Producers are likely giving the pair a creative atmosphere to make the follow up just as successful as Skyfall, if not bigger. Hence the other writers not being involved in the new film. The film has made $1.1 billion making it the biggest Bond film ever released and the second biggest film (edging out Dark Knight Rises) of 2012 just behind Avengers. Nothing is confirmed but if Sam officially signs on expect him to complete a Bond trilogy to finish off Daniel Craig's run as 007. Production is expected to take place sometime during the year with a November 2014 release date.

Christopher Nolan Still Wants To Make A Bond Film

Now that The Dark Knight Rises is about to hit theaters next month, the big question is what's next for Christopher Nolan? He had lined up a new Howard Hughes film but in an interview with Empire (via ThePlaylist) Chris states he has moved on. Another dream project he mentions is taking a shot at directing a Bond film sometime in the future. His previous film Inception was a giant love letter to Bond (within the science fiction genre) which took a lot of influence from the films.

This gives the impression like with Batman he could want to create his own Bond vision meaning a new actor taking on the role of Bond. We've been hearing rumors that actors such as Michael Fassbender and Idris Elba could be inline for the role next. However, if Nolan gets complete creative control over the film (extremely likely) he could cast actors he's previously worked with such as Cillian Murphy or even Tom Hardy as 007. Daniel Craig seems up for another film but producers will be watching closely at the reviews and the box office on Skyfall to see if they need to get new blood in the role.

Another possible film is the long in-development adaptation of The Exec which is based on a comic It's setup at Warner Bros. with Emma Thomas, David Heyman (Harry Potter Films) and Akiva Goldsman producing. The Exec seems like it could be our best chance for a semi-sequel to Inception as the main theme is greedy/violent corporations. Back in 2003 it had been reported by Variety that Jonathan Nolan was going to write with Chris directing. This project has been kicking around for almost ten years so it's unlikely it will ever get made. The comic's creator Doug Miers passed away in 2005 which might be the reason why it's been stuck in development.

In this offbeat, irreverent tale, corporations have achieved the status of nations, and if you're not tops in the boardroom, you'll find yourself laid out on the coroner's slab. In Comics Conspiracy's The Exec, your income and assets are the only things keeping you alive -- unless you remembered to pack your butcher knife or grenade launcher with your brown bag lunch.


Jack Pierce finds himself smack dab in the middle of this tongue-in-cheek look at the world of big business, but will this job give new meaning to being terminated?Welcome to the world of The Exec. When corporations achieve sovereignty, the term ‘Corporate Warfare’ takes on a whole new meaning. 


Executives are above the law and business decisions are accompanied by the sound of gunfire and explosions. Jack Pierce is a hotshot executive/executioner in a society where income level literally determines whether one is regarded as predator or prey.

First Trailer For 'SKYFALL' Starring Daniel Craig

Duncan Jones Will Make Action Bio-Pic Of Bond Author 'IAN FLEMING'

We had been patiently waiting what director Duncan Jones would choose next after making such wonderful films with Moon and Source Code. Duncan had been trying to get his Blade Runner homage Mute into production but had a difficult time getting someone to fiance it. He also was entertaining studios with meetings to direct films like Man of Steel, The Wolverine, Hunger Games and Catching Fire. I'm sure with the recent Blade Runner sequel buzz that barrier will likely be lifted eventually.

ThePlaylist picked up on a press release that reveals Duncan's next film which will be a film based on the life of James Bond author Ian Fleming. People might not understand that Fleming was an intelligence officer during WWII, a hero of sorts himself before writing the novels. He took a lot of his knowledge of the intelligence business along with his own experiences and used it as inspiration for the Bond novels. The film won't be your average bio-pic as it will be action oretiened thriller. It will be based on the biography “Ian Fleming, The Man Behind James Bond” by Andrew Lycett. Jones gave his own impression on the project.


“Fleming lived through one of the most perilous periods in world history, in a position that allowed him a unique vantage point of all the players, all the stakes. He witnesses true heroism first-hand. And he saw the evil men could do. Then, when the war ended, he went off to write fiction. The essential question for me is; where did Ian Fleming end and Bond begin?”

An actor hasn't been named but James McAvoy had been rumored for the role. James D'Arcy previously played Fleming in the British action flick Age of Heroes which had some connection to one of his WWII missions. It also focused on his special forces team the 30 Commando unit. Michael Fassbender could end in the mix as well since Fassy had been rumored to be inline as a future James Bond. McAvoy and Fassbener have a bit of time to kill before X-Men First Class 2 ramps up production in January 2013 so anything could happen.

Mark Hamill Will Have A Role In Secret Service

Mark Millar has a long honoured history of running his mouth when it comes to his film projects. We've heard more than our fair share of untrue talk about Kick-Ass 2. There is now word from Millar picked up by ComicBookResources (via CBM) that the development on The Secret Service is moving along quite nicely. Stating that Matthew Vaughn is currently writing the film's script. It was revealed a few months back that the Vaughn and writing partner Jane Goldman were working on the film. Described as Millar/Vaughn/Dave Gibbons' (Watchmen) version of S.H.I.E.L.D. or The Man From U.N.C.L.E. that follows a London hoodie that is trained to become a James Bond type of spy.

Another interesting tidbit was laid out by Millar stating that Mark Hamill will have pivotal role in the film. The iconic actor is best known for playing Luke Skywalker and as the voice of the Joker for  almost two decades. His role is unknown but he could be playing a villain or even himself. Millar also confirmed the two lead actors of the project would indeed be British. A director hasn't been named but since Vaughn has signed on for a sequel to X-Men First Class he might pass on the directing side of things.

Great Official Image Of Bond In Skyfall

Ben Whisaw Will Play Q In Skyfall

It was mentioned around the time that Quantum of Solace came out that Daniel Craig was interested in bringing back the character Q, who had been a staple of the franchise. Q was responsible for a majority of Bond's gadgets which would save his skin more than once. HollywoodReporter says that Ben Whisaw (Perfume, Layer Cake) who was confirmed for the new film will play Q in Skyfall. The Q scenes were mostly for comedic effect but considering the tone of the new Bond films it's unlikely there will be too many jokes cracked.

Skyfall Official Title Of Bond 23, Cast Confirmed

Bond 23's official title will be Skyfall. The title had been rumored for a couple of weeks but is now confirmed. The official cast lineup has also been announced which includes Daniel Craig, Judy Dench, Javier Bardem (No Country For Old Men), Naomie Harris (28 Days Later), Bérénice Marlohe, Ralph Fiennes, Albert Finney (Miller's Crossing) and Ben Whishaw (Layer Cake, Perfume). While most of the new cast hasn't been given character names it was revealed that Naomie will play field agent Eve (not Miss Moneypenny) and Bérénice will play a Bond girl named Severin. The film will still have large action pieces and it was confirmed that it will be it's own story not being connected to the previous two installments. Skyfall will hit North American theaters on November 9th 2012.


"In SKYFALL, Bond’s loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost."

RUMOR: Clive Owen The Next 007 In Bond 24?

While Daniel Craig will be playing James Bond in the 23rd installment there is talk it could be his last film. TheExaminer reports that MGM was going to try to have Clive Owen replace Craig but with the actors two picture contract it would have been a costly buy out. The only problem is that Owen is rumored to be asking for a three picture deal which the studio might not want to commit to.

You might remember Clive Owen was originally on the shortlist to play 007 in Casino Royale before Daniel Craig was eventually cast. It's expected that he would end up in the role in Bond 24. There has been rumored and confirmed interest from directors like Christopher Nolan, Quentin Tarantino and Danny Boyle to make a Bond movie. You never know these directors could end up taking on Bond 24.





Do You Think Clive Owen Should Replace Daniel Craig? Who Should Be The Next 007?? Leave Your Comments!