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Casino Royale Production Diary #1
13th December 2005
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The lead story for the first Casino Royale Production Diary on MI6 will not be good news to fans. The start date for principal photography of the 21st James Bond film has been delayed until January 30th 2006. Originally slated to commence on January 17th, the two week delay follows news that shooting at Pinewood Studios has been cut back to only a single week.
This delay does not affect the release dates though, with the film still on schedule to open in the USA and UK on November 17th 2006. Sony Pictures have published a full list of international release dates.
Theme Song
Crooner Tony Christie, who recently re-found fame with a charity version of his hit song "Amarillo", has been claiming through the tabloid press since May that he is writing a song for Casino Royale. The latest twist to this story came this week when Christie said he was approaching Robbie Williams to sing the theme, which will be recorded in February.
MI6 has learned that the production is currently in the process of deciding the style of the song and discussing possible artists, but has not commissioned anyone officially.
Tony Christie is writing this song off his own bat, much like Alice Cooper did in 1974, when the rocker submitted a theme for "The Man With The Golden Gun". David Arnold will be composing the score, contrary to IMDB errors that lead to speculation that he had left the production.
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Above: Aston Martin V8 Vantage Aston Martin
Internet rumours suggested that some Aston Martin cars were delivered to Casino Royale special effects wizard Chris Corbould last month at Pinewood Studios, but the identity of the car model was not known. MI6 can reveal that as of today, Aston Martin still do not have an official deal to appear in the 21st James Bond film.
Although parent company Ford have a three picture contract with Eon Productions, which started with 2002's "Die Another Day", Aston Martin are yet to hear of an agreement between the parties. Despite the lack of an official deal, the car for the film is still expected to be the Vantage V8, which was tipped by company Design Director Henrik Fisker back in February 2004.
Another Internet story doing the rounds over the past month was a rumour that the rooftop chase sequence originally filmed but cut from 1969's "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" will be featured in "Casino Royale". The Bond series has often reused scenes either dropped from previous productions or skipped from Fleming's novels, so the inclusion of a traditional chase across the rooftops in Prague will not be a surprise to long term Bond fans.
Villain Casting
Is he or isn't he? Bollywood actor Gulshan Grover can't seem to make his mind up about his involvement with the film. MI6 first revealed back in May that Grover had been meeting with American-based casting, followed up by the actor claiming he had a role. It seems the Indian press had misquoted Grover somewhat, and he retreated by saying he was only under consideration. Last week Grover "confirmed" to the Indian press that he was playing a bad guy role in the film.
Perhaps more credible though, is the latest casting story. Pop singer Seal has been linked to a villain role as a South African money launderer called Solari. After the British tabloids had claimed their exclusive on Sunday, the German press followed up with calls to Eon Productions, who declined to comment on the story.
Casino Royale was originally planned to shoot in South Africa, which would explain the rumoured role's nationality, and Solori could be writers Purvis & Wade recycling the draft name for "Die Another Day"'s space weapon Icarus, which was originally called Solaris. Bond gamers will recall that Seal's wife Heidi Klum played Bond girl and femme fatale Katya Nadanova in the 2004 videogame "007: Everything or Nothing".
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Above: Seal with wife Heidi Klum
Bond Girls
Ever since Daniel Craig was unveiled as the sixth 007, media speculation on which women will co-star with the new Bond has been rampant. Three names have received more media coverage than others: Angelina Jolie, Kimberley Davies and Charlize Theron. At first the rumours of Angelina Jolie appeared to be based purely on her past history with Craig in "Tomb Raider", but the story soon expanded to include talk of scripts and Jolie demanding a darker character to the traditional Bond girl - which Vesper Lynd surely satisfies.
Australian actress Kimberley Davies was the next name to be linked with a Bond girl role, with German media outlets citing "insider" sources claiming she was under serious consideration for both her looks and her acting ability. But Davies has already played a Bond girl. Gamers may recall that she voiced the Australian character Alura McCall in the 2002 videogame "NightFire".
South African actress Charlize Theron is the latest name to be linked with a role, as the The Daily Mirror "exclusively" reported that Academy Award winner was being lined up as Vesper. According to the paper, "she is British director Martin Campbell's first choice". Cynics may point to the fact that Theron is currently promoting her latest movie, "Aeon Flux", in which she is reported to have commanded a £6 million pay day.
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Above: Charlize Theron, Angelina Jolie, Kimberley Davies
International actress Cassandra Hepburn has been rumoured for a screen test too, but Cecile De France and Jasmine Lennard have both reportedly had auditions but have been ruled out of the running.
Other
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Above: Dame Judi Dench will reprise her role as M despite the character of 007 going back in time to the start of his career.
In other production news, director Martin Campbell confirmed that despite the back-to-basics approach for the film, 007 will not be seen smoking in the film - because of the "need for Hollywood to set an example to young people". Casino Royale will also "only feature one explosion" according the Campbell. The budget of the movie has been rumoured to be $100m, down slightly on the last outing due to the cost saving in switching to Prague.
Judi Dench confirmed her return as M for her fifth appearance as the MI6 spy chief, but is yet to meet up with the director "I haven’t seen Martin [Campbell] since we did Goldeneye. I haven’t seen him. I haven’t seen him lately, just been told I’m going to do it. And he’ll tell me how to do it."
As MI6 reported back in September, Gary Powell has confirmed his position as Stunt Coordinator. Stunt legend Vic Armstrong, and Bond mainstay since "You Only Live Twice", will not be joining the team.
Omega will be supplying James Bond's watch in the film, maintaining their involvement since the beginning of the Pierce Brosnan era, but the former Bond will be ending his contract as brand ambassador at the end of this year. The new watch is rumoured to be the Omega Planet Ocean, rather than the traditional Seamaster.
Casino Royale Production Diary #2
23rd December 2005
Location, Location, Location
More news on Casino Royale shooting locations broke today through German newspaper Mitteldeutsche Zeitung. The paper, which is based in East Germany close to the border with the Czech Republic, reports on further locales for the 21st James Bond film shooting next year.
As MI6 first revealed back in October, the spa town of Karlovy Vary will be used for some location shooting of "Casino Royale". Today's report also includes details of production work for nearby towns Plana and Locket.
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Above: The Mühlbrunnkolonnade.
Plana features a hospital complex that was closed down three years ago due to rising debts, but when the Bond production team move in, the local town will expect to receive around 700 Euros a day.
A local said, "coworkers of director Martin Campbell have already assessed the operating rooms and they are completely suitable for filming".
City councilor Michaela Mertlova confirmed that negotiations have been taking place but no firm deal deal had been down yet for 007 to work in the town, and went on to say that the locals would prefer the hospital to be open again, James Bond or not.
Further details were revealed about the filming in Karlovy Vary, with shooting to take place at the Mühlbrunnkolonnade and the Kaiserbad - which looks like it could provide the exterior of the titular casino.
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Above: An early 1900's drawing of the Kaiserbad, and how it looks today.
The reports says that the city expects to earn 1000 Euros a day for the Bond team to shoot there, as well as a contractual stipulation that the town of Karlovy Vary is mentioned by name during the publicity campaign.
Back in the capital city Prague, the report claims that Eon Productions signed a contract to shoot in the famed Barrandov Studios a few days ago.
007 #6 Speaks
Daniel Craig broke his relative silence on his new 007 role this week to MTV. In a brief interview, Craig confirmed that the 21st 007 movie will actually be played out as if it's the first, with "Casino Royale" effectively becoming a reboot of the series.
When questioned about the nature of his earlier roles, Craig replied "James Bond is never working class. Paul Haggis has done a rewrite of the script and has written great dialogue. The lead girl part is fantastic, the characters are all fantastic. It's a Bond film. We're making a Bond movie first and foremost."
Naming "From Russia With Love" as his favorite series installment, the 37-year-old star said although director Martin Campbell will be returning from "GoldenEye," the forthcoming film will be unlike both those movies. "It's going to be very different from anything else ... it will have certain elements that will make it a Bond movie... The cars are newer too," Craig laughed. "There's a lot of similarities with the book but yes, of course it's been updated. It has to be. It's a suspension of disbelief that we're renewing Bond, and that this is the first time you see him."
"Yes, I could fail miserably, but maybe I can do something that's different and make the franchise last another 30 years — as opposed to another three."
Fiat Fiasco
Some months back, rumours broke that the tiny Fiat Panda car would be featuring in Casino Royale. Whispers then circulated that a dozen cars had been earmarked for use in the forthcoming James Bond film. MI6 has heard from official Fiat sources that no such deal is in place, and there is no contract for the car to appear in the film. But, interestingly, two Fiat Panda's were delivered to the production at the request of Bond producers, and may still feature in the film at some point.
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Above: The Fiat Panda Crossover
Further details on which model of car was delivered are not available, but it may be of note that Fiat recently announced their "cross-over" edition of the Panda 4x4, which will be released in Europe just months ahead of "Casino Royale".
Furthermore, Ford announced in September that they had signed an agreement with Fiat to jointly produce a new small car range using the Panda as the foundation. Ford currently hold an exclusive three-picture vehicle product placement licence with the 007 franchise, which started in 2002 with "Die Another Day".
Crew Updates
Matthew Stillman and David Minkowski have officially joined the Casino Royale team as co-producers. The pair are already at work in pre-production on the 21st James Bond film and will be heavily involved when production heads over to Prague in the Czech Republic.
As well as making shrewd business sense to shift a lot of the film to Prague as opposed to its expensive traditional home at Pinewood, not only will 007 be based in the same city as "Bourne" was (the films that "scared" Bond producers), but it will also share the same local production company. StillKing films confirmed earlier in the year that they will be operating as local co-producer for the work taking place in the Czech Republic. Shooting is expected to last 6 months, and will include location work in a small spa town called Karlovy Vary.
In other crew news, Paul Engelen returns to the Bond family as make-up designer, following his work on Die Another Day, Moonraker, The Spy Who Loved Me and The Man with the Golden Gun. Michael Solinger is also back in the fold as post-production supervisor, after Die Another Day, The World Is Not Enough and Tomorrow Never Dies. Dan Grace will be assisting costume designer Lindy Hemming as costume supervisor. He has previously worked on The World Is Not Enough, Tomorrow Never Dies and GoldenEye. Richard Hooper is a newcomer to the franchise, and will be the supervising armourer.
Casino Royale Casting Rumours
11th January 2006
Wanted: Bond Girl
New James Bond 007 Daniel Craig will be reading with four candidate Bond Girls this week. Despite the start of principal photography being only weeks away, the role of Vesper Lynd is still to be cast - reports Variety.
The trade paper claims four actresses will be screentesting over the next week in London, with Daniel Craig joining the production after wrapping "The Visiting" with co-star Nicole Kidman. Variety reports that a final decision will be made by next week.
British actress Rachael Stirling is the latest name to be strongly linked with the production. The daughter of former Bond girl Diana Rigg (Teresa di Vicenzo in 1969's "On Her Majesty's Secret Service) is one of the actresses up for the role of Vesper Lynd - Agent 3030.
As MI6 exclusively reported last year, Variety confirms that the production start date for Casino Royale has slipped two weeks to January 30th 2006.
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Above: British actress Rachael Stirling
Character Spoilers
In other casting news, IGN claims that no actors have been signed up for Royale duty other than Daniel Craig (007) and Judi Dench (M). IGN reports that reliable sources have revealed the characters that will appear in the forthcoming film:
Vesper Lynd - will be 20 to 30 years old. The role is being hyped as the most dramatic Bond girl role yet, which is not surprising if the cinematic character stays true to Fleming's text.
The villain (not named as Le Chiffre by IGN's sources) - will be in his late 20's to mid 30's, and Martin Campbell has previously said he was keen on casting European actors. French actors Romain Duris and Michaël Youn are reported to have screentested recently.
Villain's girlfriend - producers are looking to sign a high profile actress or pop singer in the role, which will be "sexy and dangerous".
American CIA agent - will be between 30 and 40 years old and will be cast to a well known actor according to sources. There is no information whether this character will be Felix Leiter who last appeared - cinematically - in Licence To Kill (1989).
Solari - is a commander in the Sudanese rebel army and is 40 to 50 years old. Pop singer Seal was recently rumoured to be up for this part.
Demetrius - a supporting Mediterranean character in his 40s. He is described as a sleazy gambler and money launderer who lives the high life.
Demetrius' wife - a woman in her 30s who shares her husband's love of the high life.
Massus - is of Mediterranean heritage and is in his 60s. He was once an undercover agent for Her Majesty's Secret Service, and according to IGN, is wrongly suspected by Bond of being a double agent. According to the report, this is an adaptation of Fleming's character Rene Mathis.
Johnny Allen
16-01-2006, 17:41
Im telling you this film will never been ready for it's due release date, all the hitches and such, lets hope it's alright by the end.
Im telling you this film will never been ready for it's due release date, all the hitches and such, lets hope it's alright by the end.
i can assure you it will be, all bond films have a habit for bad planning, they start late janaury and always have it on screens by november... they film it in about 6 months...considering they always have such a long break between movies youd think that theyd improve on the quality and spend more time on it...but hey we'll how it works out come november!
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German actor Ludger Pistor has personally confirmed that he's signed to play a substantial role in the forthcoming James Bond film Casino Royale - due out in theatres November 17th 2006.
Speaking from his vacation in India, Ludger Pistor confirmed that he will be playing a Swiss Banker in Casino Royale. It's a dream come true for the actor who confessed, "it is not a joke, I have never missed a James Bond film in the cinema".
Despite winning the role, Pistor has still not seen the complete script or all of his lines, which will not surprise those following the latest rumours that the screenplay is being hastily rewritten. "I have only seen fragments of it", Pistor said. "I do not even know whether I stand on the good or bad side. That is a secret so far". But the actor explained that even if he did know something, he would say nothing - to keep his part secure.
The 46-year old's role will take him to Prague, Italy and the Bahamas, and he confirmed he has been told to expect to shoot for four to five weeks throughout the course of the production.
Above: German actor Ludger Pistor
Born in Herten, Germany and now living in Berlin, Ludger Pistor will be best known to German television viewers for his role as Hauptkommisar Klaus Krapp in the RTL series "Balko" which has run since 1995. But like many newcomers to the franchise, he does have a connection to Bond. Piston starred in the 1998 movie "Run Lola Run", from which a small part of the film's soundtrack was used in the final "Die Another Day" cinematic trailer.
Bahamas Location Shooting
A popular hotel in the Bahamas is about to be transformed into the Liberian Embassy in Madagascar for the purposes of the pre-titles sequence in Casino Royale. The Buena Vista, a 200-year-old mansion hotel, will double for the location in the film. The old colonial building will be painted to make it look even older when it is transformed into the embassy, where the new James Bond will take on bad guys in the upcoming Casino Royale. Filming starts there on February 23rd.
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Above: The Buena Vista hotel at day (left) and night (right).
As previously revealed by MI6 in the first Casino Royale Production Diary (#1), a roof-top chase sequence that was originally cut from the 1969 film "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" will be resurrected for a Casino Royale action sequence.
French "free runner" Sebastien Foucan has been hired to appear in the film. A chase scene is planned which will unveil the new Bond in the form of actor Daniel Craig. Foucan will be performing the stunts of Bond's adversary in the sequence which is currently being shot on location in the Bahamas.
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Above: Sebastien Foucan in action
This news three points that have been rumoured recently: firstly that the Bahamas location will be doubling for an African country - Madagascar, secondly that the location will be used early on in the film, and lastly that a roof top chase sequence will feature as a major action sequence.
Aston Martin Bonds Again
The famous auto-maker confirmed this month that it will return in Casino Royale but this time with a new secret model - the Aston Martin DBS. The press release only contained a concept sketch of the latest car, but Daniel Craig got to see the machine at first hand as he visited the Aston Martin headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire, on Friday to view the featured car. While there he met Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ulrich Bez, and members of the workforce and also took the opportunity to take a short test drive. MI6 can reveal that despite earlier comments by director Martin Campbell, the DBS will be fitted out with the latest gadgets and gizmos for an exciting car chase.
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Above: Aston Martin DBS concept sketch
MI6 exclusively announced last week that the classic Aston Martin DB5 will also be making an appearance in the film. The classic DB5, which first appeared in Goldfinger (1964) and then Thunderball (1965), will be making a brief return in Casino Royale. Devoid of its original Q-Branch gadgetry, the DB5 will be used as Bond's personal car, much like it's appearance in GoldenEye (1995) and Tomorrow Never Dies (1997). Two original DB5's are being shipped to the Bahamas where location shooting with Daniel Craig is expected to commence in one month's time. The latest rumours are that Bond will win the DB5 in a poker game early in the film.
Corgi unveiled miniatures of the Aston Martin's set to feature in the film at the London Toy Fair. The cars will cost £11.99 GBP and will be available in October 2006 in anticipation of Casino Royale opening in theatres.
A Balanced Bond
Daniel Craig let slip a few of his thoughts on his forthcoming work on Casino Royale to the press this month.
"There is something universal about a hero who is flawed. 007 does ****ty things, but what's interesting is how he gets to that point. Hopefully that's what the movie will look at. Bond is basically a dislikable human being, and yet so incredibly likeable because he is such a rogue. That's the balance I would like to strike with him."
On the subject of costume, Craig told The Observer that James Bond will not be wearing his traditional tuxedo in the film. "Actually, he doesn't wear one in this version. I'm not sure if I should tell you that though".
Meanwhile, Dame Judi Dench - who will be reprising her role as M in the film - said of Craig, "I have met him and I liked him enormously. We had a laugh and that always bodes well."
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Above: James Bond #6 - Daniel Craig
In other villain casting news, French actors Michael Youn and Romain Duris screentested for the role of the main villain. French newspapers reported that Simon Abkarian had won the role over Youn. Despite this "confirmation", Youn went on the record that he had made it down to the last five contenders and was still to hear either way. It was also reported that Seybina Baldi had been cast as a villain's henchman. MI6 also revealed that Icelandic actor Bjorn Hlynur Haraldsson had screentested for a henchman role. 31 year-old Haraldsson said that he is still hopeful of landing the role, but at the time to screentesting, the script was still not finalised.
Bond Girl Race & Rumour Round-Up
According to the French press, Italian actress Caterina Murino has been signed up to play a major "bad girl" role. According to the paper, Murino will play Solonge, Demetrius' girlfriend in the film. Murino will shoot in the Bahamas and in Prague.
Following MI6 revealing three of the main contenders screentesting for a Bond Girl role, the Mail On Sunday claimed that favourite Rose Byrne had been signed - "Australian-born Rose, now based in London, was one of four starlets vying to play opposite Daniel Craig as Vesper Lynd".
British actress (and daughter of former Bond girl Diana Rigg) Rachael Stirling also screentested and had been in contention since Craig's announcement in October 2005. The news was backed up by intel received by AICN. But rival newspaper The Sun countered by claiming that Thandie Newton had been cast following a successful screentest.
Meanwhile on the rumour mill, Angelina Jolie bowed out of the running due to her pregnancy, "King Kong" star Naomi Watts was apparently chased by producers, and glamour model Katie Price was vying for a cameo as a casino croupier.
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Above: Caterina Murino
Production Wrap
In other production news, Crowley Maritime Corp confirmed that they will carry 28 pickup trucks, 25 production trailers, 11 excavators, cranes and other equipment to Nassau next month for filming of "Casino Royale". Soho-based company root6 has been appointed to provide editorial support. Post-production will be centred in Prague, Pinewood Studios and Soho, where root6 has worked with equipment hire company LEM and the editorial team to design the required workflow for the project. Casino Royale is the third Bond feature supported by the root6 team which also worked on Die Another Day and ‘The World is Not Enough.
Teaser Trailer Imminent?
The teaser trailer for the 21st Bond film may not be far away. Sony Pictures' "The Da Vinci Code" is reported to be carrying the Casino Royale teaser trailer in theatres when it opens on May 19th in the USA and UK.
First it was on, then it was off, and now it seem to be officially on again. As MI6 first revealed back in December, the next James Bond game in development from Electronic Arts is a third-person version of "Casino Royale" starring Daniel Craig as 007.
The game is planned to coincide with the release of the film in theatres on November 17th 2006.
"Casino Royale" will ship for the next generation platforms: the recently released Microsoft Xbox 360, and forthcoming Sony PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Revolution platforms. It is expected that the new Bond game will be a launch title for the eagerly anticipated PS3 in Europe.
Pre-production work on the game started a few months ago, with concept artwork and some 3D models already complete, even before the latest game From Russia With Love hit the shelves. The game is in the third-person perspective, and is planned to follow the plot of the movie, which will feature an original first third and then follow Ian Fleming's story for the remainder of the adventure.
EA's confirmation that the title had begun production again came in recruitment advertisements posted today by the company. The postings hinted at direct ties with the movie's production team, including Daniel Craig and the rest of the cast, director Martin Campbell, the script and marketing campaign. Casino Royale the videogame is expected to be released on the same day as the movie hits theatres - November 17th 2006.
Bond Girl Search Still On
The Hollywood Reporter today confirmed long-running rumours that the production of the latest James Bond film was still lacking a Bond girl and major villain. As MI6 revealed last week, production kicked off slightly earlier than anticipated on Friday 27th January, and "lensed" on Monday 30th - despite the roles of Vesper Lynd and the principal villain still to be cast.
The article said, "although it isn't unprecedented for a studio to begin principal photography on a film with two major cast elements unsettled, it is unusual for a project of this budget and scope. However, a source familiar with the Martin Campbell-helmed production said scenes involving James Bond's love interest don't begin for more than a month, and the studio still has some breathing room before compromising the film's schedule."
"They're talking to three to four girls right now," Casino Royale scribe Paul Haggis said. "Every week I read there's a new Bond girl, and I call them and they say, No, you idiot."
According to THR, in recent days Rachel McAdams and Thandie Newton have emerged as possible Bond girls.
Newton was first rumoured a month ago, first for having screentested and the later as being "confirmed" by the tabloid press as having won the role. Clearly, that is not the case - at least not yet.
Canadian actress Rachel McAdams is a new name in the mix. The 29 year-old actress has had a string of hit movies recently, including "The Family Stone" (2005), "Red Eye" (2005), "Wedding Crashers" (2005), "The Notebook" (2004) and "Mean Girls" (2004). In December 2005, she was #1 on MuchMusic's "Who To Do: 20 Sexiest Girls" list, and yesterday came in #3 position in the daily IMDB poll "What gal would you send a Please Be Mine valentine to?".
Speaking recently, McAdams said, ""I want to try a lot of things that I haven't tried. You know, I did a thriller "Red Eye", because it was so different and it was a genre I hadn't worked in yet. Then I did a beautiful family ensemble drama. And next? I don't know. The quality of material is important, but, basically, I'm open to anything. I like to stay open to anything".
Above: Rachel McAdams
Villain Wanted - Apply Within
An insider also told the paper that casting of the villain is much further along than that of the female star. As MI6 reported in the Casino Royale Production Diary #3, French actors Michael Youn and Romain Duris screentested for the role of the main villain. French newspapers reported that Simon Abkarian had won the role over Youn. Despite this "confirmation", Youn went on the record that he had made it down to the last five contenders and was still to hear either way. It was also reported that Seybina Baldi had been cast as a villain's henchman. MI6 also revealed that Icelandic actor Bjorn Hlynur Haraldsson had screentested for a henchman role. 31 year-old Haraldsson said that he is still hopeful of landing the role, but at the time to screentesting, the script was still not finalised.
The report stated that one agent familiar with the film's casting said Sony is in an unenviable position because anyone the studio chooses will have leverage during negotiations because of the ticking clock. "To be that exposed is unheard of," the agent said. "(The actor or actress) can have them over a barrel. Not to have your two principal leads by now is awfully strange."
Campbell Comments
Director Martin Campbell gave a brief interview to SciFi.com off the back of promoting the DVD release of his last film, "The Legend of Zorro".
On the subject of a reboot, Campbell said: "First of all, it's a franchise that doesn't need reinventing, because the last one [Die Another Day] took in a huge amount of money. But I think what makes this interesting is that it's going back to the original book. That's what makes it exciting. Having a new Bond? I think Daniel is not only a terrific actor, but it's kind of a tougher, more gritty Bond this time, hopefully without losing all the things that make Bond really work. And it's a much more ... What's the word?... It's got its feet on the ground much more in term of its action and in terms of its story."
Felix Leiter Returns
Talking about the supporting cast, Campbell commented, "Judi Dench is far too great an actress not to have, to be honest. She must be England's best actress, I think. We don't have a Q [or gadget master] in this film. That doesn't happen. We have [CIA agent] Felix Leiter in the movie. So it's a remastering of the series, basically. It is, as I've said, the original story. That I am excited about."
Several actors have been connected with villain roles in the forthcoming James Bond file Casino Royale over the past few days. news broke today of two new contenders in the mix.
The latest reports in the German press claim that television actor Jürgen Tarrach has been cast as a villain. Aachener Nachrichten report that although negotiations are still taking place, Tarrach has confirmed that he is inline to play a bad guy in the film. The actor commented that things are kept secret with the Bond productions and he himself is not too sure what is happening. Media reports indicate that the role will be smaller than that of the "Swiss Banker" which fellow German actor Ludger Pistor is inline for.
Pistor personally confirmed that has signed to play a substantial role as a Swiss Banker last week. Pistor said it was a dream come true for the actor who confessed, "it is not a joke, I have never missed a James Bond film in the cinema". Despite winning the role, Pistor has still not seen the complete script or all of his lines, which will not surprise those following the latest rumours that the screenplay is being hastily rewritten. "I have only seen fragments of it", Pistor said. "I do not even know whether I stand on the good or bad side. That is a secret so far". But the actor explained that even if he did know something, he would say nothing - to keep his part secure.
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Above: Jürgen Tarrach, Mads Mikkelsen and Ludger Pistor
Also today, Danish media outlet Ekstra Bladet report that Mads Mikkelsen is also inline to play a villain in the movie. According to the article, Danish actor Mikkelsen confirmed that he was in negotiations. He is expecting a call in the next couple of days. Mikkelsen also commented that a small 5 minute role in a blockbuster like Casino Royale would pay more than a principal role in a Danish film - he compared the experience of fellow Dane actor Ulrich Thomsen who appeared as Davidov in "The World Is Not Enough". 40 year-old Mikkelsen will be best known to cinema goers for his role as Tristan in "King Arthur" (2004).
The French Connection
As MI6 reported in the Casino Royale Production Diary #3, French actors Michael Youn and Romain Duris screentested for the role of the main villain. French newspapers reported that Simon Abkarian had won the role over Youn. Despite this "confirmation", Youn went on the record that he had made it down to the last five contenders and was still to hear either way. It was also reported that Seybina Baldi had been cast as a villain's henchman.
MI6 also revealed that Icelandic actor Bjorn Hlynur Haraldsson had screentested for a henchman role. 31 year-old Haraldsson said that he is still hopeful of landing the role, but at the time to screentesting, the script was still not finalised.
Casino Royale Production Diary #4
14th February 2006
Czech Republic Shooting
On Monday 30th January 2006, when filming began, the first scenes where Daniel Craig played James Bond involved an intense fight. According to an AFP report, the brutal scrap takes place inside the Liberian Embassy where Bond has to fight off several goons. Misha Olexova, Stillking Films marketing chief confirmed, "it was an action scene, a very tough fight". Two days later, the first shots of a bloodied and bruised Craig in 007-attire were leaked by Getty Images.
Shooting continued in the Czech Republic this week, with action taking place at the Strahov Monastery.
The monastery encompasses a 770 square meter large area, which is now being occupied entirely by the production. The area has been transformed with tents, trailers, make up rooms and production offices by the British company Translux. The filming is taking place inside the building, in the monastery's famous library.
The scene itself has been kept top-secret and despite intense interest from the press, no information has leaked in recent media reports. Since the film "lensed" on 30th January, details of the filming has been kept relatively under wraps (although the Latino Review website blew the plot wide open in a recent script review).
Following complaints from local residents over the level of noise and traffic generated by the production, local government reportedly imposed conditions on the filmmakers in an attempt to come to a working compromise. Local mayor Petr Hana told reporters this week that the people who were complaining "should be proud that that James Bond raises the area's reputation".
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Above: Strahov Monastery
Another councilor, Martin Salek, added that the production was only based in the vicinity of the monastery for a short time, and that they got paid a fee of 250 Euros a day - which was a welcome additional income for the administrative department.
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Above: Loket Castle Filming in and around the Modrany film studio is expected to wrap this week, with the production to move next to the German border region and the spa town of Karlovy Vary. Location work will also take place at Loket Castle, 15 km from the town and 135 km from Prague.
Shooting Schedule
Casino Royale production will shift to the Bahamas in a few days, and will then move on to Italy, return to the Czech Republic in March for major studio work in Barrandov, and then finally relocate to Pinewood Studios in England for two weeks with principal photography scheduled to wrap in July.
Location Watch
Albany House, a secluded and magical estate nestled in the Southwest corner of New Providence in the Bahamas, has the honour of being the first location to be used for several scenes.
The art department will be based in Coral Harbour on New Providence Island, and are already in the process of transforming local beachfront properties and dressing sets - one of which is a facade of a large ocean-view building. Areas of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force facility has been taken over with production trailers and large cranes.
A popular hotel in the Bahamas is about to be transformed into the Liberian Embassy in Madagascar — a perplexing development considering Madagascar's location off the coast of Africa. The Buena Vista, a 200-year-old mansion with a legendary restaurant, will double for a location in Casino Royale.
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The central villain of the forthcoming James Bond film "Casino Royale" is now officially cast. Le Chiffre will be played by Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen, announced by director Martin Campbell at the Prague press conference on Wednesday.
MI6 first revealed Mikkelsen was in talks in late January, and a few days ago rumours spread that the actor's father, a taxi driver, had been telling passengers of his son's new role. 40 year-old Mikkelsen will be best known to cinema goers for his role as Tristan in "King Arthur" (2004).
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Above: Mads Mikkelsen will play Le Chiffre
Variety reports that at a late afternoon press conference at the Czech Republic's Barrandov Studios, the new Bond, Daniel Craig, fielded with good humour questions that grew increasingly bizarre.
One journalist from the Czech magazine Spy asked him what he thought of media speculation about his "orientation." After a moment, Craig responded icily, "I didn't know they had but thanks for the information."
Another local reporter got off to an interesting start by asking the assembled group, Craig, Campbell, Judi Dench and producers Michael Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, if they were aware there was a previous "Casino Royale."
As for the more burning question of who will play the Bond girl. Campbell revealed the choice is now down to "two or three" but added "you'll just have to wait to find out." Eva Green and Olivia Wilde Wilde are thought to be the finalists.
Craig, perhaps thinking of the frayed nerves caused by starting the $100 million-plus shoot without a love interest, assured that the shoot is progressing anyway: "We haven't got there so it's all fine."
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Above: Director Martin Campbell (left), Dame Judi Dench (centre), and Daniel Craig (right).
Dench, who has regularly delivered a cool, scheming M to the superspy franchise, said her work with Craig on the Prague shoot usually begins with a few jokes, "and that seems to be vital. I only started working with Daniel yesterday, but we found common ground."
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Auds will see more insight into M's back story than they ever have to date in "Casino Royale" with a scene set in her London apartment, constructed in modernist beige by Barrandov, complete with Asian art and Tanqueray gin cocktail service.
Bond himself will show his more sensitive side, said Campbell, in that the film, based on the first of Ian Fleming's Bond books, reveals how he became "the Bond we all know and love."
The cast and crew jet off to the Bahamas shortly to shoot a chase sequence at seaside construction site, then will be back to Prague for studio and location work, and Italy and the U.K.'s Pinewood.
Swiss actor Carlos Leal has been cast as the croupier in the forthcoming James Bond film Casino Royale, according to Spanish media reports.
The 37 year-old will play the croupier in "a long and important scene with Mr Bond", according to the article. Leal will fly to Prague for 12 days of filming.
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Carlos Leal, son of Spanish immigrants, was born in Geneva in 1969. He is the co-founder and singer of the Swiss hip hop group Sens Unik, who have been extremely succesfull in both Switzerland and France since the early 1990’s. In 1993, Carlos appeared on the big screen for the first time in Samir's acclaimed documentary film "Babylon 2". The role of Paco in 2005's "Snow
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