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Culver City, CA October 14, 2005
– It was announced today by producers Michael G. Wilson and
Barbara Broccoli, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc. and Sony Pictures
Entertainment, that DANIEL CRAIG has been cast in the role of
the legendary British secret agent, James Bond, in the highly
anticipated 007 adventure thriller Casino Royale.
Casino Royale reunites Wilson and Broccoli with Martin
Campbell, who directed the 1995 Bond blockbuster GoldenEye.
His most recent film, The Legend of Zorro, will be
released on October 28, 2005.
Casino Royale will be the 21st James Bond film produced
by the franchise holders, EON Productions. The MGM/Columbia
Pictures production begins shooting in January and is due for
release worldwide on November 17, 2006. It will be filmed in
the Czech Republic, the Bahamas, Italy and the UK.
Neal Purvis and Robert Wade wrote the screenplay based on
famed author Ian Fleming’s first novel. The script is
currently being polished by Academy Award®-nominated writer,
Paul Haggis (Million Dollar Baby).
Born in 1968, DANIEL CRAIG was raised on the Wirral nr.
Liverpool. He moved to London to join the National Youth
Theatre at the age 17 and continued his training at the London
Guildhall School of Music and Drama. CRAIG has since become
regarded as one of Britain's finest actors securing a variety
of roles in television, theatre and film.
He is currently filming a thriller alongside Nicole Kidman,
The Visiting, and has two films in post-production; Steven
Spielberg's Munich and Douglas McGrath's Every Word
Is True, co-starring Sandra Bullock and Gwyneth Paltrow.
Recent film credits include Sam Mendes' The Road to
Perdition, The Mother, Sylvia, and last year
he received much critical acclaim for Matthew Vaughn's
Layer Cake as well as Roger Michell's Enduring Love.
Wilson and Broccoli said “It has been a long time ambition for
us to film the first book in the series, Casino Royale,
which defined the complex character of James Bond. We are
thrilled DANIEL CRAIG will play the character of 007. Daniel
is a superb actor who has all the qualities needed to bring a
contemporary edge to the role. Casino Royale will have
all the action, suspense and espionage that our audiences have come to
expect from us but nevertheless takes the franchise in a new and exciting
direction.”
“James Bond is a character without peer in motion picture
history,” said Pascal. “He is a household name recognized in
virtually every corner of the globe and because of this renown, the
casting of the new 007 takes on a special importance. We believe that in
DANIEL CRAIG we have found the ideal 21st century Bond and we couldn’t be
more privileged to be working with Barbara and Michael, who are tireless
champions and guardians of the James Bond legacy.”
Director Martin Campbell said, “The thing about James Bond is
that each actor who has filled the role has brought his own style and
imprint. With Daniel as our new Bond, I am thrilled to be returning to
shepherd the new 007 in the new Bond adventure.”
Dan Taylor, President of Metro Goldwyn Mayer Inc, said: “All
of us here at MGM are delighted that Daniel Craig, an actor of
such high-calibre, has been chosen to be the next Bond. We are
also very excited to be working closely with Barbara and
Michael again and with Columbia Pictures on Casino Royale,
which we predict to be the biggest, best Bond ever.” |
