James Bond News Archive

Older 007 news that has run off the homepage.

• MI5 Looking for a Real Life Q
  
  

  Britain's domestic spy agency MI5 is hunting for its very own Q, a gadget master for their own use. MI6's sister organization, which carries out surveillance on terror suspects inside Britain and gives security advice to the government, is searching for someone to lead its scientific work. Projects could include everything from developing counterterrorism technology to tackling a biological or chemical attack.

  "Looking for a chief scientific adviser to lead and coordinate the scientific work of the security service so that the service continues to be supported by excellent science and technology advice," MI5's Web site ad reads.

• Michael Wilson Discusses his Favourite Bonds
  
  

  Michael Wilson had an interview with the Yorkshire Post, discussing, among other things, his favourite Bond films through each generation.

  Wilson commented on Bonds enduring appeal: "There are a lot of other characters like Tarzan, Superman and Batman who have been reinvented over the years, but in terms of a single production entity then yes I guess James Bond is unique. But you know there has never been a moment when we've sat back and thought that's it, this will run and run. I don't even believe that now."

• Downloadable Content for Quantum of Solace Game
  
  

  Released late last year to less than perfect reviews, Activision's Quantum of Solace will soon be joined by it's first multiplayer downloadable content pack for the PS3. The original single player was received somewhat poorly by critics, while the multiplayer was praised, so the DLC extends the good side of the game rather than trying to rescue the poor part.

  The Camille Map Pack includes four new multiplayer maps inspired by the most recent Bond Films, Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace. The new maps include:

• Cover Art Released for The Blofeld Trilogy
  
  

  The cover art and blurb has been released for the new 720 page compilation of The Blofeld Trilogy, that we mentioned earlier. The collection will have a new introduction by journalist and author, Nick Lezard, although the length is currently unknown.

  The collection will be published on 1st October by Penguin, who have also just re-released their entire modern classic James Bond series. Given the lack of extra material here, it is probably better to just buy the books separately, which is also cheaper. The official blurb follows.

• Judi Dench to be included in the Actors Hall of Fame
  
  

  Judi Dench has been chosen as one of this years fifteen inductees to the Actors Hall of Fame, joining others like Humphrey Bogart, Fred Astaire, Charles Chaplin and many others that have been honored in the past.

  The other upcoming inductees includes Robert De Niro, Robert Duvall, Kirk Douglas, Morgan Freeman, Gene Hackman, Olivia de Havilland, Hal Holbrook, Anthony Hopkins, James Earl Jones, Angela Lansbury, William H. Macy and Maggie Smith.

• James Bond Producers to make the film Remote Control
  
  

  Bond Producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli have teamed up with Sony to make the film Remote Control, a thriller based on a novel by Mark Burnell.

  Interestingly enough, this will be only the 2nd non-bond film made by EON Productions, the first being Call Me Bwana, released in 1963. EON has reportedly signed a 15 film contract with Columbia Pictures, in an attempt to establish British writers in America.

• The Blofeld Trilogy to be Compiled into One Book
  
  

  It appears that Ian Fleming's fantastic "Blofeld Trilogy", composed of the three novels Thunderball, On Her Majesty's Secret Service and You Only Live Twice, is going to be compiled into a single book, which will be released on 1st October, 2009.

  There is no blurb, description or cover art yet (hence our mangled image), but there is a listing on amazon. At 720 pages, this collection includes two of my favorite James Bond novels, and all three are generally very highly regarded throughout the Bond community. (But don't take just my word on it, a quick check at MI6 and Kim Last yields identical ratings of 4 1/2 stars, 5 stars, and 5 stars for each novel respectively.

• Michael Wilson and Barbara Broccoli Discuss Cubby
  
  

  With the British Film Institute currently celebrating the centenary of Bond Producer Cubby Broccoli, The Guardian has been able to get an interview with current Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson, Cubby's daughter and step son.

  The interview was conducted at Eon House in Piccadilly, London, the HQ of Eon Productions. It was part of the Film Weekly podcasts with Jason Solomons. Jason started off the conversation by discussing the legacy of their father.

• James Bond Celebrations at BFI
  
  

  The BFI, or British Film Institute is hosting a magnitude of celebrations to mark the Centenary of Cubby Broccoli, the key James Bond Producer.

  There will be a large Film Programme, including Casino Royale, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Diamonds Are Forever, Dr No, From Russia With Love, Goldfinger, The Red Beret, and more.

• Kurylenko and Arterton May Make 100 Sexiest Women List
  
  

  Olga Kurylenko and Gemma Arterton, who played Camille Montes and MI6 Agent Strawberry Fields in last years Quantum of Solace, have been nominated as part of "men's magazine" FHM's 100 Sexiest Women Poll.

  The voting has now closed, but it's extremely likely that at least one of them will make the list. Official results will be announced on April 23rd. Olga has previously made the list, being voted #38 in the 2008 polls.