JAMES BOND
NEWS

21 September 2020
Michael Lonsdale, the Anglo-French actor who memorably portrayed Sir Hugo Drax in the 1979 James Bond film Moonraker, has died at the age of 89. Lonsdale was born in Paris on 24 May 1931, son of English Army officer Edward Lonsdale-Crouch and his half-French, half-Irish wife Simone Béraud. Sometimes billed as Michel Lonsdale, he made his screen debut in 1956 and appeared in a handful of French films in the 1960s & 1970s before taking the role of Deputy Commissioner Claude Lebel in The Day of the Jackal (1973) directed by Fred Zinnemann from Frederick Forsyth's best-selling 1971 novel. Starring opposite Edward Fox [‘M’ in Never Say Never Again (1983)], Michael Lonsdale was nominated for a BAFTA award as Best Supporting Actor.

In 1978 it was decided that Moonraker would be an Anglo-French film, and under the terms of the production agreement a number of French cast and crew were engaged. The role of Hugo Drax went to Michael Lonsdale, although Louis Jourdan who would later play Kamal Khan in Octopussy (1983) was also considered. Lonsdale was cast primarily because he could speak English.

In 1986 Michael Lonsdale would appear in Jean-Jacques Annaud's masterful medieval murder-mystery The Name of the Rose, playing the Abbot opposite original 007 Sean Connery as the Franciscan friar William of Baskerville.

10 September 2020
Dame Diana Rigg, the acclaimed actress best known to James Bond fans for playing Comtesse Teresa di Vicenzo [known as Tracy], the ill-fated wife of one-time 007 George Lazenby in On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969), has died at the age of 82.

Rigg's career in film, television and the theatre was wide-ranging, including roles in the Royal Shakespeare Company between 1959 and 1964. Her big break came when she took over from Honor Blackman in the hit UK TV series The Avengers, co-starring opposite Patrick Macnee from 1965-1968. Like her predecessor Diana Rigg left the series to star in a James Bond film hoping it would bring her more recognition in the USA. Her other films from this period include The Assassination Bureau (1969) where she starred opposite Telly Savalas and Curt Jurgens, Julius Caesar (1970) with Charlton Heston in the title role, The Hospital (1971) a Paddy Chayefsky satire directed by Arthur Hiller and co-starring George C. Scott; and Theatre of Blood, the cult 1973 horror/comedy where she played Vincent Price's daughter opposite an all-star cast of British thespians.

Many stage, television and film appearances followed, and in 2013 she appeared in an episode of Doctor Who in a Victorian-era based story called ‘The Crimson Horror’ alongside her daughter Rachael Stirling. The same year saw Rigg secure the recurring role of Lady Olenna Tyrellin in the third season of the cult HBO series Game of Thrones. Diana Rigg was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 1988 New Year Honours, and a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) for services to drama in the 1994 Birthday Honours.

1 September 2020
2nd unit director and cameraman Arthur Wooster has died at the age of 91. Starting his career as a camera operator in the late 1950s, Arthur Wooster joined the James Bond series in 1981 as 2nd unit director on For Your Eyes Only, and also assisted Maurice Binder with the filming of the main titles featuring singer Sheena Easton.

Wooster then served as 2nd unit photographer for director Fred Zinneman on Five Days One Summer (1982) which starred Sean Connery. Returning to the James Bond series as 2nd unit director on Octopussy in 1983, Wooster then performed the same duties on A View To A Kill (1985), The Living Daylights (1987) and Licence To Kill (1989), which included much of the spectacular tanker chase sequence filmed in Mexicali.

Arthur Wooster also worked as additional unit director on GoldenEye (1995), The World Is Not Enough (1999) and Die Another Day (2002) which all starred Pierce Brosnan as 007.

16 August 2020
Cutting-edge style and innovation have always been essential parts of the James Bond story. In keeping with that legacy, OMEGA has now delivered a brand new Seamaster Diver 300M James Bond Numbered Edition, offering plenty of high-tech details for 007 fans to enjoy.

OMEGA has been equipping James Bond with its Seamaster timepieces since GoldenEye in 1995. This special new release is a proud celebration of that partnership, and provides a new addition to the 007 collection.

FULL STORY AND MORE IMAGES

11 July 2020
Dubbed ‘the most famous car in the world’ and renowned as being among the most desirable and sought-after classic Aston Martin models, the DB5 has become a byword for timeless style and sports car desirability. Fewer than 900 saloon examples were built by the brand between 1963 and 1965, with by far the most famous of the original owners being the world’s best-known secret agent – James Bond – who first drove the car that is today inextricably linked with him in the 1964 film, Goldfinger.

Now, 55 years after the last new DB5 rolled elegantly off the production line at Aston Martin’s then global manufacturing base in Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire, work is once again under way there on a strictly limited number of new DB5 models. Created in association with the producers of the James Bond films, EON Productions, and featuring a broad suite of working gadgets first seen on screen in the 1964 film, the Aston Martin DB5 Goldfinger Continuation cars are history in the making.

FULL STORY AND MORE IMAGES

3 July 2020
Earl Cameron, one of the first black actors to forge a successful career in British film and television, has died at the age of 102. Originally considered for the role of Quarrel in the first James Bond film Dr. No (1962), he would eventually play Pinder in Thunderball (1965) opposite Sean Connery as 007. The pair were reunited when they both appeared in in Cuba (1979) directed by Richard Lester.

Born in Bermuda in 1917, Cameron settled in London in 1939 after a short time in the British Merchant Navy. He began his long acting career on the London stage and made his screen debut in Pool of London (1951) winning much critical acclaim for his part of Johnny Lambert, considered to be the first major role for a black actor in a British mainstream film. Later a familiar face in many British television series throughout the 1960s including Doctor Who (The Tenth Planet 1966), Danger Man (several episodes 1964-1966) and The Prisoner (1967). Cameron continued to act in films until 2010 when he appeared in a small role in Christopher Nolan's Inception. Earl Cameron was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2009 New Year Honours.

15 May 2020
SPYSCAPE have announced their James Bond exhibition DRIVEN: 007 x SPYSCAPE is now available online for free, saving fans the $23 ticket price to visit the physical exhibition in New York City.

The exhibition explores the creative process behind the 007 films, and reveals the secrets of James Bond’s iconic Aston Martin DB5. Visitors can investigate gadgets in Q’s lab, examine original concept art in Oscar^®-winning Production Designer Sir Ken Adam’s studio and peek behind the scenes of Skyfall’s explosive finale.

The online exhibition contains unique and creative content, including animations of iconic gadgets, and interviews with some of the key production team from Skyfall. Explore the reimagined Q’s Lab and Sir Ken Adams’s Studio, and a specially commissioned video homage to the 50 year relationship between 007 and his Aston Martin.

Fans can visit the online exhibition for free at SPYSCAPE.COM/007, and test their own spy skills – with exercises developed by a former Head of Training at British Intelligence – to receive an authentic profile of their own spy skills, and discover the spy role they’re best suited to.

Tickets for the physical exhibition, featuring Bond’s real Aston Martin DB5 from GoldenEye and unique immersive experiences, will go on sale again when the COVID-19 situation allows, priced at $23 for adults and $18 for children, at SPYSCAPE HQ in New York City.

23 April 2020
In early 1963 Sean Connery embarked on a publicity tour to capitalize on the success of Dr. No in the UK before the film opened in various international territories. The publicity tour began in Europe, including Paris and Rome, where Connery was escorted by three glamourous ‘Bond girls’.

The Italian TV publicity footage recently premiered on YouTube has been unseen for 57 years.

FULL STORY & VIDEO

20 April 2020
John McLaughlin, known to all as “Big John”, has died at the age of 93. John was a deep sea diver, marine engineer, underwater cinematographer, marine mammal trainer, coast guard certified master diver, demolition instructor, and deep sea salvage for the U. S. Navy. He was also a stunt performer and underwater cameraman working on many James Bond films from Dr. No (1962) to Licence To Kill (1989). John also worked again with Sean Connery on his comeback as James Bond in Never Say Never Again (1983). A lengthy interview with “Big John” was published in 007 MAGAZINE #51 in August 2009 and now available as part of 007 MAGAZINE OMNIBUS #3.

FULL STORY

LEFT: “Big John” McLaughlin pictured with Sean Connery during the making of Never Say Never Again (1983).

The Bond legend will be answering your questions from 7pm (BST) Sunday April 19, 2020.

We have no doubt that film fans across the world are currently bingeing on Bond classics to make up for the absence of No Time To Die, which was expected to drop this month. And while that’s a very commendable back-up plan, Esquire thought you could do with some company. That’s why they have asked smooth-talking Bond legend, Pierce Brosnan, to join them for a watchalong of his game-changing 007 debut, 1995’s GoldenEye, live on Esquire UK’s Facebook, Twitter and YouTube feeds this Sunday 19th April at 7pm BST (2pm ET for American viewers.)

The 66-year-old screen icon be taking us all behind the scenes of the spy epic, discussing his time in the tuxedo and how it felt to take up the mantle, as well as interacting with his legions of fans – which, of course, is where you come in. Head on over to Esquire's Twitter, Instagram and Facebook feeds right now to submit questions, and make sure to tune in on Sunday 19th April at 7pm on YouTube too.

BONHAMS LONDON - Ending 29 April 2020
The BLUE Auction in aid of NHS Charities Covid-19 URGENT APPEAL

Bid on a clapperboard from the 25th James Bond film, No Time To Die featuring the signatures of the music artist, key cast and crew:

Daniel Craig (James Bond)
Naomie Harris (Eve MoneyPenny)
Cary Joji Fukunaga (Director No Time To Die)
Léa Seydoux (Madeleine Swann)
Lashana Lynch (Nomi)
Ana De Armas (Paloma)
David Dencik (Valdo Obruchev)
Billy Magnussen (Logan Ash)
Dali Benssalah (Primo)
Billie Eilish (Co-writer/Performer ‘No Time To Die’)
FINNEAS (Co-writer ‘No Time To Die’)
Linus Sandgren (Director of Photography No Time To Die)
Michael G Wilson (Co-Producer No Time To Die)
Barbara Broccoli (Co-Producer No Time To Die)

Generously donated by Eon Productions

6 April 2020
Honor Blackman the British actress who memorably played Pussy Galore in Goldfinger (1964) has died at the age of 94.

Blackman started her acting career with an uncredited role in the 1947 drama Fame Is The Spur. Other small roles followed throughout the Fifties, culminating in substantial parts in A Night To Remember (1958) and Jason And The Argonauts (1963). Blackman joined the popular TV show The Avengers for two series from 1962-1964, where she played Dr. Cathy Gale opposite Patrick Macnee as John Steed. The character was hugely popular leading to Blackman being offered the role of Pussy Galore in Goldfinger. She left The Avengers at the end of the third series, but a reference to her character appeared in the series four episode Too Many Christmas Trees, broadcast on December 25, 1965. John Steed receives a Christmas card from Cathy Gale - looking at the envelope Steed remarks “Whatever can she be doing at Fort Knox...?” - an in-joke reference to Blackman's appearance in Goldfinger. Ian Fleming's suggestive character name was going to be changed to ‘Kitty Galore’ in order to appease American censors, but a photograph of Blackman meeting Prince Philip at the 1964 Royal Film Performance, made the front page of the Daily Mail with the headline ‘Pussy and the Prince’. The name was retained for the film, and Blackman tried to mention it as much as she could during many interviews she gave for the American press. Following the blockbusting success of Goldfinger, Blackman continued to alternate film roles with work in theatre and television.

Honor Blackman was reunited with Sean Connery for the 1968 Western Shalako. The same year Blackman appeared at the Palace Theatre in London in Mr. & Mrs. - a musical based on the plays of Noel Coward. Blackman also released a record of songs from the show. Blackman had also sang on the 1964 recording ‘Kinky Boots’ with her Avengers co-star Patrick Macnee which was a surprise hit. It resurfaced on the UK chart in 1990, peaking at number five. In 2006 Blackman embarked on her own one-woman theatre tour World of Honor where she sang popular torch-songs from the shows, and reminisced about her long career. The show was revived several times and Blackman herself returned to the West End stage well into her eighties to appear in Cabaret and My Fair Lady. Always frank and outspoken, Blackman was a role model for many women, and in 1965 even published her own book inspired by her judo-fighting alter-ego Cathy Gale. Honor Blackman's Book of Self-Defence was co-written with wrestler, Martial Arts expert and stuntman Joe Robinson [Peter Franks in Diamonds Are Forever (1971)] and his brother Doug, and reprinted many times.

2 April 2020
Iconic Images Gallery announces that Bond: Photographed by Terry O’Neill is now available as an online exhibition

Unable to open due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Iconic Images Gallery have announced that their new exhibition, Bond: Photographed by Terry O’Neill, will be available to view online. Through a virtual walk-through app, online catalogue and new original content and stories from the book of the same name – fans will be able to virtually walk-through a tour of some of Terry O’Neill’s greatest images that captured the world of James Bond.

Timed to coincide with the launch of the book, Bond: Photographed by Terry O’Neill, The Definitive Collection, edited by James Clarke and published by ACC Art Books, this exhibition is sure to enthral fans and celebrates the collaboration of two great icons: Terry O’Neill and James Bond.

The Iconic Images website will be updated throughout the coming weeks with excerpts from the new book as well as further original content from film historian James Clarke. 

VIEW THE ONLINE GALLERY

14 March 2020 - THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN
Ian Fleming’s psycho-political Cold War thriller, written in 1964 and dramatised by Archie Scottney. James Bond’s obit appears in the Times. But suddenly he’s back in London with murder on his mind. Brainwashed by the Russians?

‘M’ gives him one more chance - terminate international assassin, Francisco Scaramanga.

Bond infiltrates the killer’s Jamaican HQ. But 007 has a conscience. Can he eliminate the butcher in cold blood? Will his cover be blown?

A stellar cast includes Toby Stephen's return as 007. Cuban/American star Guillermo Diaz excels as psychopath Scaramanga and Janie Dee returns as Moneypenny, with John Standing as ‘M’ and Moira Quirk as a feisty Mary Goodnight.

Martin Jarvis directs and is the voice of Ian Fleming in a dazzling Caribbean soundscape with specially composed music by A-Mnemonic.

11 March 2020
In December 2019 Talenthouse offered young artists the chance to create a unique, eye-catching and undeniably Bond poster. It had to be inspired by the Daniel Craig films, while celebrating the design legacy of James Bond.

Selected Creators & Finalists have now had their work published on the Talenthouse website.

9 March 2020
Series 17: Episode 35 of the BBC TV series Flog It! comes from Dover Castle in Kent. Antique experts James Lewis and Jonathan Pratt search for items to take off to auction. James finds a hefty hunting club, and Jonathan unearths a lighter that is also a ruler. Paul Martin uncovers the story of author Ian Fleming, who created James Bond.

Also includes an interview with 007 MAGAZINE Editor & Publisher Graham Rye at the Kent HQ of the world's longest-running James Bond publication.

View episode

8 March 2020
Max von Sydow, the Swedish born actor who played Ernst Stavro Blofeld in Never Say Never Again (1983) has died at the age of 90.

Making his screen debut in 1949, von Sydow then went on to appear in 11 films directed by Ingmar Bergman including The Seventh Seal and Wild Strawberries in 1957. Cast as Jesus Christ in George Stevens' epic The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965), von Sydow then alternated roles in American films with those in his native Sweden, maintaining the collaboration with Ingmar Bergman until 1971. Many more high profile roles in American films followed in the 1970s, including his iconic performance in William Friedkin's groundbreaking The Exorcist in 1973. In 1980 von Sydow played Ming The Merciless in Flash Gordon opposite future James Bond Timothy Dalton, and Topol who would go on to appear in For Your Eyes Only (1981). Sydow's brief appearance in Sean Connery's comeback film as James Bond is unusual in that Blofeld is seen with a white cat - an invention of the EON series and not part of any script or story created by Ian Fleming or Kevin McClory. Modern audiences will best remember von Sydow from his appearances in Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) and three episodes of the popular US TV-series Games of Thrones (2016).

5 March 2020
‘Q’ is the brains behind every great design at MI6, and that now includes a new limited edition Swatch! Being the creator of all James Bond’s gadgets - from tracking devices to the most unbelievable secret weapons - sounds like a tough job, but he handles it all with style and a cup of his favourite Earl Grey tea in hand.

Matching his personality and style, ‘Q’s watch in No Time To Die is a stainless steel SKIN Irony with a tartan plaid brown leather strap, sharp red edges and a sun-brushed dial showing off the complex mechanism, joining Swatch and ‘Q’ at 6 o’clock. A timeless mix of tradition and futuristic innovation. Just like the man himself.
 

FULL STORY AND MORE IMAGES

1 February 2020
Swiss Watchmaker Swatch have announced seven new watches ahead of the release of the new James Bond film No Time To Die starring Daniel Craig as 007.

Six of the new timepieces draw their design inspiration from classic James Bond film posters representing each actor to play 007. These include Dr No, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, Moonraker, Licence To Kill, The World Is Not Enough, and Casino Royale.

The seventh new Swatch James Bond inspired watch is yet to be unveiled. It has been designed alongside Suttirat Anne Larlarb, costume designer for No Time To Die, and will only to be offered in limited numbers.

The watch features in the upcoming film and is worn by ‘Q’, played by Ben Whishaw.

The Swatches are housed in retro VHS video style packaging and will be available from late February. No Time To Die opens cinemas in the UK on 2nd April, followed by the US release on April 10, 2020.

FULL STORY AND MORE IMAGES