Casino Royale

[Bryan]

Eon Productions and Sony Pictures Releasing are thrilled to announce that Casino Royale opened to an incredible £13.37million at the UK box office making it the most successful opening of any Bond film ever.

Casino Royale opened at 505 cinemas across the UK and the £13.37 million figure smashes the £9.1million record set by Die Another Day in November 2002.

Producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli said, “We are delighted the UK has had record-breaking results over the weekend for Casino Royale, and we are very grateful for the support and good-will of the British public to the new film and most especially towards Daniel Craig.”

[Bryan]

James Bond returned with a bang at the international box office as "Casino Royale" dominated the weekend with $42.2 million at 3,063 playdates in 27 markets - reports Variety.

"Casino" hit the jackpot in its U.K. launch with $25.6 million at 988, including $3.7 million in previews. Its Friday-Sunday take tied "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" as the second-highest weekend launch in Brit history, trailing only "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire."

With Daniel Craig in his first turn as Bond, the Blighty opening handily topped the previous Bond pic, "Die Another Day," by 46%.

"Casino Royale" took in more than the combined foreign grosses of the next four pics -- "Borat," "The Devil Wears Prada" and "Open Season." Combined with its second-place domestic take, "Casino" totaled $82.8 million worldwide for the weekend.

Given the strong international track record of recent Bond pics -- with foreign gross accounting for nearly two-thirds of worldwide box office -- "Casino Royale" looks poised for potent offshore biz that could eclipse the $271 million mark set by "Die Another Day" four years ago. Sony has opted to wait until next weekend to launch "Casino Royale" in other major European markets, including France, Germany, Holland, Spain and Sweden.

In the second-largest "Casino" take, Russian B.O. Bonded with $3.8 million at 633 -- the eighth-largest launch for a non-Russian pic.

"Casino" set a record in India with $3.2 million at 427, beating "Spider-Man 2's" opening by 87% for biggest debut of a non-Indian pic.

Greece led the rest of the "Casino" territories with $1.34 million at 111, followed by Thailand with $1.1 million at 154, Taiwan with $1 million at 116, Singapore with $900,000, Malaysia with $800,000, Poland with $735,000 and the UAE with $635,000 -- the second largest launch in that market.

Despite the impressive start for "Casino," overall biz lagged the same frame of 2005, when "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" opened with $80 million. But foreign box office for the five major distribs (BVI, Fox, Sony, UIP, Warner) remains well ahead of the 2005 pace and should finish the year ahead of the 2004 record of $8.5 billion.

[Abi]

I just came back from seeing this film, and it was actually really good! I dont particularly like Bond films, so i didn't have very high expectations, but it really surprised me. There was a lot of action all the way through, and not just lots in little bits, great charcters, sets, and fantastic acting by Daniel Craig and Eva Green, in particular.

I've only ever seen 1 other Bond film in full, so i dont know the other Bonds, but from my point of view, Daniel Craig was fab! Loved it!

[Rach33]

Seen all James Bond's and loved most there were a few misses but the new film blew me away I loved it Daniel Craig was on top form as Bond and I have to say probably one of the best Bond's yet I will be going to see it a second time next week

[Layne]

Went to see it tonight, and all i can say is Amazing. I mean i'm not a total Bond Looney, but i have seen a few movies, but this one i really loved, it was believeable, no invisible cars etc!

And Daniel Craig, is great. He has proved all those press people wrong. And i hope he is going to be doing many a more films x

[Abbie]

Ive just got back form watching it and I thought It was amazing!!! It felt like it went on for ages but it was still great and a great twist o and i loved the way it ended!!!

[Pixie]

I loved it! I've seen most of the bond films and this has to be my favourite. Daniel Craige was also far better than I expected (and he's really good looking!)

[Abbie]

I alos loved the fact they left the : the names Bond, James Bond at the end, because that was like saying he the new bond now.

[Layne]

I alos loved the fact they left the : the names Bond, James Bond at the end, because that was like saying he the new bond now.

Well that, and also because it was the very first Bond film. Like in all the others they say it at the beginning or where ever, but because this was the very first he said he last so you know who he was kind of thing

[Bryan]

Casino Royale has taken the top prizes at this year's Empire Awards - winning best film and taking two acting awards.

Daniel Craig took the Best Actor accolade for his role as James Bond, whilst his co-star Eva Green scooped Best Female Newcomer.

The awards are voted for by the magazine's readers.

Other winners included Penelope Cruz, who won Best Actress for her role in Volver and Little Miss Sunshine which picked up the Best Comedy prize.

The assistant editor at Empire said: "I'm delighted that Empire readers have decided that Casion Royale is the best film of the year.

"We're proud that real cinema-goers have the good taste to do something neither the critics awards nor industry prizes managed to do - really get behind the reinvention of James Bond as a great British triumph."

The full list of winners is as follows:

Best film - Casino Royale
Best British film - United 93
Best director - Christopher Nolan The Prestige
Best actor - Daniel Craig Casino Royale
Best actress - Penelope Cruz Volver
Best comedy - Little Miss Sunshine
Best thriller - The Departed
Best science fiction - Pan's Labyrinth
Best horror - Hostel
Best male newcomer - Brandon Routh Superman
Best female newcomer - Eva Green Casino Royale