“Casino Royale” backers set date to name new Bond
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – James Bond, 007, is back. Or, at least he will be on Friday.
Sony Pictures Entertainment, the Hollywood studio backing new Bond film “Casino Royale,”said on Wednesday that the actor who will portray the suave secret agent with a license to kill would be named at a news conference in London on October 14.
No further details were disclosed, and the mystery remains over who will star in the film franchise that has grossed nearly $4 billion at global box offices since the first Bond flick, “Dr. No,” hit the silver screen in 1962.
Reports in London have identified English actor Daniel Craig, who recently starred in the gangster film, “Layer Cake,” as the new Bond, but that could not be confirmed.
The new actor will succeed Pierce Brosnan, who first donned Bond’s tuxedo for 1995’s “Goldeneye” and ended his run with 2002’s “Die Another Day.”
Four others have portrayed Bond. Sean Connery and Roger Moore had successful outings as the secret agent while George Lazenby and Timothy Dalton bombed in the role.
“Casino Royale” is scheduled to begin production in January and is expected to be in movie theaters in the fall of 2006.
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