James Bond exhibition marks 50 years shaken, not stirred

LONDON: Tuxedos, bikinis and vodka martinis are among hundreds of items going on show in London to mark 50 years since James Bond made the jump from Ian Fleming's novels to the silver screen.

More than 400 archive items from the Bond movies are on display from Friday at London's Barbican Centre in "Designing 007: 50 Years Of Bond Style," a celebration of the British spy's evolving style.

From the black dinner jacket worn by Sean Connery in "Dr No" to a crystal-covered dress seen in the forthcoming "Skyfall", the exhibition is a journey through the British spy's glamorous world from 1962 to the present day.

Visitors are greeted by a life-size model of Connery relaxing on the bumper of the Aston Martin DB5 he used in an Alpine car chase in 1964's "Goldfinger".

A walk down a red carpet, through the giant gun barrel that has become an instantly recognisable feature of the Bond title sequences, opens up a world of gadgets and glamour.

The deadly bowler hat used by Oddjob in "Goldfinger" and the weapon used by assassin Francisco Scaramanga in "The Man With The Golden Gun" are on display while scenes from the films are projected on the walls.

"You will see dazzling film clips, sequences that illuminate iconic moments in James Bond films from the beginning -- 'Dr No' -- all the way up to 'Quantum of Solace'," said curator Bronwyn Cosgrave.

"The sets, costumes and gadgets are today considered equally as iconic as the man himself, and that's what we hope to illuminate."

An array of sketches, storyboards and costumes show 50 years of changing style -- but also the enduring themes that have made the films popular worldwide.

The "Bond girl" is naturally one of these -- and the white bikini which catapulted Ursula Andress to fame in "Dr No" is showcased next to the orange two-piece worn by Halle Berry in "Die Another Day" 40 years later.

"I think James Bond films have changed," said curator and Oscar-winning costume designer Lindy Hemming.

"They have become far more international. When they started they were an English phenomenon that spread all over the world."

A visit to the exhibition can be rounded off with a trip to the Martini Bar for one of Bond's favourite cocktails -- shaken not stirred.

After two months in London the show will embark on a three-year global tour, starting in Toronto later this year. (AFP)

James Bond to hold 50th anniversary exhibition

James Bond movie bosses are staging the biggest ever exhibition of iconic props from the spy films, to mark the 50th birthday of the franchise this year.

Eon Productions chiefs have released a dazzling array of costumes, gadgets and cars from the 007 movies to go on display in London in the summer.

The famous exhibits include 'Goldfinger' henchman Oddjob's bowler hat, the metal teeth sported by Jaws in two 1970s Bond films, Scaramanga's pistol from 'The Man With The Golden Gun', 007's spacesuit from 'Moonraker', and a deck of tarot cards seen in 'Live and Let Die', the Daily Express reported.

The flick-knife shoes worn by SPECTRE agent Rosa Klebb in 'From Russia with Love', a waterproof camera from 'Thunderball', Halle Berry's orange bikini from 'Die Another Day', Bond's underwater Lotus car from 'The Spy Who Loved Me', and Daniel Craig's famous blue swimming trunks will also be on display.

The exhibition will even feature some of Bond's personal effects, including his black American Express card and his passport - which reveals he travels under the false name Arlington Beech. Source:http://www.newkerala.com

Daniel Craig perfect choice for 'Girl with the Dragon Tattoo'

Daniel Craig feels that he was perfect for the thriller 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' because he comes from the ''cold, dark" and "depressing" part of the UK, so can relate to the original Swedish novel.

The actor plays lead character Mikael Blomkvist in the Hollywood adaptation of the Swedish thriller novel, and was convinced that he could do justice to the tough part because he hails from the North of England, which he feels shares much in common with Scandinavia.

"I'm from the UK, we have a lot in common. I mean, we are all from the frozen North," Contactmusic quoted him as telling the Sun newspaper.

"It gets cold, it's dark for most of the year, we are depressed. We like a drink, we like singing, we like storytelling and we like scaring the s**t out of each other."

Although his American co-star Rooney Mara didn't share the same background, Daniel was very impressed with the way she tackled her role as gothic, tattooed, computer hacker Lisbeth Salander.

"She's fantastic in this part. I've just been incredibly impressed by her commitment.

"Her work was not about suffering - she just got on with it and did it.

"I mean it was like having a 15-year-old teenage boy walking around the set in a bad mood most of the time. For me, that's what Salander in the book was all about," he added.

'The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo' will release in cinemas this month.

Daniel Craig stops James Bond filming over dirty dressing room

Daniel Craig halted filming on the new James Bond movie ‘Skyfall’ because his dressing room was dirty and he wanted it cleaned.

The 43-year-old actor complained while shooting a swimming-pool scene at a gym in the swanky Four Seasons Hotel in London.

“The gym is one of the best in London and usually very clean,” the Daily Star quoted one gym worker as saying.

“But it wasn’t up to scratch for Daniel Craig.

“He said it was ‘dirty and untidy’ and refused to get into costume until it was cleaned,” the source added.

Secrecy surrounds new James Bond movie 'Skyfall'

LONDON: Daniel Craig will be back dodging bullets and vanquishing villains from China to Turkey in the 23rd installment of the James Bond film franchise, but the stars and director of "Skyfall" are keeping the who, what and how under wraps for now.

As previously announced, Oscar-winning director Sam Mendesdirects his first Bond adventure, which celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2012 when Skyfall is released.

One of the few details Mendes revealed to more than 100 reporters from around the world at the film's London press launch were his cast and the locations of the blockbuster, which starts production on Monday.

Bond regulars Craig and Judi Dench, as his stern spymaster M, return to their roles, Spanish actor Javier Bardem plays the villain and French actress Berenice Marlohe and Britain's Naomie Harris are Bond girls.

All five were at the press briefing, where they were joined by Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson.

In addition, Mendes said the latest installment in one of cinema's longest and most successful film franchises will feature Ben Whishaw "who will be playing a part I can't tell you about in scenes I can tell you nothing about.

"And Albert Finney, who will also be playing a part I can tell you nothing about in scenes that I can't really tell you about and Ralph Fiennes, who, similarly, I can give you very little information about."

Asked whether he had not named all of the characters the leading actors would be playing because Bond fans might recognize them, the "American Beauty" director replied: "They might do. On the other hand they might not."

What producers have confirmed is that Skyfall will take Bond on another action-packed mission to London, Shanghai, Istanbul and Scotland.

A press release gave a brief plot outline, saying Bond's loyalty to M is tested "as her past comes back to haunt her.

"As MI6 (British intelligence) comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost."

NO "AUSTERITY" BOND

Mendes and his producers sought to reassure fans that tough economic conditions in the real world would not make the fictional exploits of the suave superspy any less spectacular.

"It, I think, has all the elements of a classic Bond movie, including, to quell any rumors, a lot of action," Mendes said.

Wilson added: "I think it's in the same (cost) range as the last film and we really haven't had to change anything in the script. We haven't had to sacrifice anything."

The 22nd Bond movie, "Quantum of Solace," cost an estimated $200 million to produce, more than the previous installment and Craig's Bond debut "Casino Royale," which cost a reported $150 million.

Any extra outlay did not translate into higher ticket sales, however, with Casino Royale earning $594 million at the global box office and Quantum of Solace $586 million, according to website www.boxofficemojo.com.

Sony Pictures, part of Sony Corp, will distribute Skyfall, which is set to hit British theaters on October 26, 2012 and U.S. cinemas on November 9 after a studio bankruptcy put production on hold for months and the last movie earned mixed reviews.

Next year is the 50th anniversary of the series, which began in 1962 with Sean Connery -- breathing life into the character created by former intelligence officer and novelist Ian Fleming -- on Her Majesty's secret service in "Dr. No."

Debt-laden Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc, known for its roaring lion logo and behind some of Hollywood's most fabled films including "The Wizard of Oz," filed for bankruptcy in November last year.

But two months later it confirmed Bond 23 would hit theatres in November, 2012, and in April MGM and Sony announced they would co-finance and distribute the next two Bond movies.

Craig's first appearance as Bond in 2006 was hailed as a refreshing change in direction toward a tougher, more serious 007, and reviews were overwhelmingly positive.

Quantum of Solace fared less well with the critics, although positive reviews still outweighed the negative and both films were commercially successful.

When Craig was asked if he would continue in one of cinema's most recognizable roles for a few more years, Broccoli interjected and said: "Yes, definitely." (Reuters)

James Bond aims to bounce back with new film launch

LONDON: James Bond returns on Thursday with the launch of the 23rd instalment in the famous film franchise, and aims to bounce back after a studio bankruptcy put production on hold for months and the last movie earned mixed reviews.

As ever ahead of a major Bond announcement, unconfirmed rumours have been flying across cyberspace.

What can be said with certainty is that Daniel Craig returns for his third outing as the suave secret agent, and Sam Mendes, Oscar winner with "American Beauty" who worked with Craig on "Road to Perdition", will direct.

Spanish actor Javier Bardem and Britain's Ralph Fiennes are expected to join the cast, and Judi Dench is set to return as Bond's stern boss "M".

Other stars reported to be involved include Albert Finney, who would be making his first Bond appearance aged 75, and Naomie Harris as Miss Moneypenny.

Locations and plotline are largely unknown to the outside world, although some media have said scenes shot on a train in India are likely to feature.

A spokeswoman for Sony Pictures declined to give details about Thursday's event beyond what appeared on a press invitation -- that producers Michael Wilson and Barbara Broccoli would present Mendes and "key" cast members.

Sony Pictures, a unit of Sony Corp, will distribute the film, which is set to hit British theatres on Oct. 26, 2012 and U.S. cinemas on Nov. 9.

Next year is the 50th anniversary of the series, which began in 1962 with Sean Connery on Her Majesty's secret service in "Dr. No".

Debt-laden Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc, known for its roaring lion logo and behind some of Hollywood's most fabled films including "The Wizard of Oz", filed for bankruptcy in November last year.

Two months later it confirmed Bond 23 would hit theatres in November, 2012, and in April MGM and Sony announced they would co-finance and distribute the next two Bond movies.

The studios previously partnered on "Quantum of Solace" and Craig's 2006 Bond debut "Casino Royale."

The high-octane, action-heavy films are expensive to make and market, with Quantum of Solace estimated to have cost around $200 million.

But they have a good record commercially, and according to movie tracking website boxofficemojo.com, Casino Royale earned $594 million in global ticket sales and Quantum of Solace $586 million.

Craig's first appearance as Bond was hailed as a refreshing change in direction towards a tougher, more serious 007, and reviews were overwhelmingly positive.

Quantum of Solace fared less well with the critics, although positive reviews still outweighed the negative. (Reuters)

James Bond's India journey scrapped

James Bond is no longer coming to India. Despite a green signal from the Indian railways ministry, plans to shoot a few action sequences for the British super spy film have been shelved.

"The production company, India Take One Productions, have communicated to the railway ministry that they are not shooting the next Bond film in India, and that they are looking at other places," sources from the railway ministry confirmed to.

"The production company has thanked the railway ministry for their co-operation in the past few months," added the sources.

The producers of the movie, tentatively titled "Bond 23", wanted to shoot high-speed stunts on the Indian Railways.

There was a request to shoot on the rooftop of a moving train, as well as inside a tunnel. However, they were having trouble getting permission due to safety and security issues.

Though the ministry gave the go-ahead to the film's January-March 2012 shooting schedule, officials were worried about the production team's demand of "locking off the lines for seven-eight hours a day for seven days in a row".

The crew of "Bond 23", starring Daniel Craig, had also short-listed Goa's Dudh Sagar waterfalls as one of the locations.

Now, the shooting is likely to move to South Africa, according to media reports.

James Bond: The New Face of Indian Railways?

If you thought flying cars, a submarine hybrid and a fleet of Aston Martins were James Bond’s only vehicles of choice, you may be in for a surprise.

Daniel Craig, who will star in “Bond 23,” the next James Bond sequel, is likely to be signed as the official ambassador of Indian Railways, Dinesh Trivedi, India’s railways minister, said in an interview. He hopes that having Mr. Craig as brand ambassador will revamp the reputation of India’s rail network, which he says is in urgent need of an “image makeover.”

Indian Railways, a state-run mammoth organization, is better known for running behind schedule than for its cutting-edge technology. Its trains are generally packed, old and slow. This is in sharp contrast with the suave image cultivated by James Bond, who typically cruises in sleek, high-speed M16 vehicles fully kitted with gizmos and gadgets.

It is unclear how sluggish Indian trains fit with the James Bond persona. So what’s in it for Mr. Craig? The new Bond movie’s production company – the London-based EON Productions – is keen to shoot part of the film in India and this would include a train-based action sequence, Mr. Trivedi said. Last week, members of the film’s production team met ministry officials to get permission to film on India’s trains and tracks. Among the conditions set by the ministry to allow them to film: that Mr. Craig lend himself to an Indian Railways television ad.

Since the partnership is at a nascent stage, the ministry is yet to contact an advertising agency. Nevertheless, they are already brainstorming possible taglines for the ads. Mr. Trivedi mentioned one of them: “The name’s Bond, James Bond. But Indian Railways is stronger than James Bond!” While this hits all the key words, it may need a little fine tuning.

Safety concerns were another issue. Though the original screenplay required Mr. Craig to fight on the roof of a moving train, the railway ministry said he persuaded the producers to modify the scene. “The ministry raised concerns because travelling on train rooftops is illegal. We didn’t want the global community to have an unrealistic picture of the Indian Railways” said Mr. Trivedi.

No final agreement has yet been signed between the railway ministry and the production house, though Mr. Trivedi expects it to be reached soon.

EON Productions and their Indian partners, India Take One Productions, declined to comment on whether Mr. Craig will participate in an Indian Railways commercial nor on whether they agreed to tweak the screenplay as per Mr. Trivedi’s suggestion.

The train sequence is likely to be filmed near Ahmedabad, in India’s state of Gujarat, in January. According to local media reports, other Indian locations the movie may be shot in include Goa and Delhi’s Sarojini Nagar, a market known for its knock-off high street clothing. The production company confirmed that they are planning to shoot parts of the movie in India but did not elaborate further.

Directed by Sam Mendes, Bond 23 is slated for worldwide release in 2012. Source

India orders James Bond train stunt rewrite

NEW DELHI, Sept 3, 2011 (AFP) - India has asked the makers of the latest James Bond movie to change a stunt showing people travelling on train rooftops, saying it would depict the state-run railway in a poor light.

"Rooftop travel is illegal in India and it cannot be encouraged," Indian Railways Minister Dinesh Trivedi told AFP on Saturday. Many Indians seek to avoid paying for tickets by travelling on the roof.

Daniel Craig, who plays the world's most famous secret agent, was supposed to jump from a motorcycle onto a moving train roof packed with travellers and then leap to another equally crowded train top, according to the script.

Trivedi said 007 could perform the stunt — but only if there is nobody on the top of the trains.

"Rooftop travel will not be shown," he said, adding that the government has also stipulated the filming "has to be safe and passengers should not be inconvenienced."

The railways minister said that the original movie script could have led to an impression that rooftop travel was common in India.

"There are many trains in India and not all trains have people travelling on the rooftops," he argued.

The makers of the as-yet untitled movie — known currently only as "Bond 23" — had agreed to the conditions, Trivedi said in a telephone interview.

The film is to be directed by Oscar-winner Sam Mendes and will be shot in Mumbai, Ahmedabad and the resort state of Goa. Shooting is planned for February and March next year and the film is slated for release in November 2012.

Trivedi also said he is plugging for the James Bond character to be used to promote the sprawling Indian Railways, still the country's main form of long-distance travel despite fierce competition from new private airlines.

"I have proposed that the spy says something like: 'Indian Railways is as strong as James Bond.' It is my suggestion," the cabinet-ranking minister said.

The state-run railway is the country's largest single employer, with 1.4 million workers, and runs 11,000 trains carrying 19 million passengers daily.

The world's second-largest railway offers some adventurous journeys where trains chug through arid deserts, snowy Himalayan regions and across rickety British-built bridges spanning mountain gorges and fast-flowing rivers.

Trivedi declined to say if the film-makers had agreed to give Bond licence to become cast ambassador for the creaking railway system, which is plagued by frequent crashes.

The last time a Bond film was on location in India was for the 1983 hit "Octopussy", with actor Roger Moore in the lead role. It was shot in the northern states of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.

"Bond 23" is one of nearly two dozen films by foreign studios which have been cleared to shoot in India recently.

Others include a film adaptation of Mohsin Hamid's novel "The Reluctant Fundamentalist", "Trishna", British director Michael Winterbottom's version of Thomas Hardy's classic "Tess of the d'Urbervilles", and Yann Martel's "Life of Pi". Credit : 

'James Bond' Shoot stuck in India

The shooting of a new "James Bond" movie in India has been stalled after the production house couldn't get the permission to shoot.

The makers of the movie, tentatively titled "Bond 23", wanted to shoot high-speed stunts on the Indian Railways.

However, they could not get the permissions due to safety issues and as a result director Sam Mendes is now looking for alternative locations.

"It has been one thing after another. The scenes are very ambitious and we're all just desperate to get started but there have been obstacles at every stage," mirror.co.uk quoted a production insider as saying.

India's railways minister Dinesh Trivedi has now decided to "look into the matter", but added: "I can't jeopardize the safety of passengers."

The shooting is likely to move to South Africa, where producers already have permission to shoot some scenes, but not until January.

James Bond taught me how to shoot my gun: Olivia Wilde

Olivia Wilde has revealed that while starring in her latest movie 'Cowboys and Aliens' she got a lesson on how to shoot a gun from her co-star and the current 007 star Daniel Craig.

The 27-year-old actress plays Ella Swenson in the sci-fi thriller, where she had to fire a weapon.

And she was glad that Craig, who currently plays the lead role in the 'James Bond' movies, offered her the much-needed support.

"Daniel taught me how to shoot my gun. Which was cool 'cos now I can always say that James Bond taught me how," Stuff.co.nz quoted her as telling Cover Media.

"It was cool, the guns were really beautiful. I'm not a big gun person - I'm a pacifist, I don't really love guns in general.

"But I love these antique guns, they were so interesting but not easy to shoot," she added.

I am not interested in Facebook or Twitter,"Daniel Craig"

Daniel Craig has insisted that he will never join social networking sites like Facebook or Twitter.

The Cowboys & Aliens star told Seven magazine that he feels that the internet allows people to be disconnected when they should just spend time together in person.

Craig said: "I am bloody not [on Facebook]. And I'm not on Twitter either... 'Woke up this morning, had an egg'? What relevance is that to anyone? Social networking? Just call each other up and go to the pub and have a drink.

"There's some talk of a new class-system paradigm - that, in future, the world will be divided between those who 'get' social networking and those who don't. I'm really not bothered. But I hope the generations to come learn to be a little bit cynical and learn how to mess it up a bit."

Craig also admitted that he occasionally Googles his own name, but tries to avoid reading what's written about him as he believes it to be "worse than smoking crack".

"It's like there's a bunch of sociopaths out there who want to go out and rip you to pieces," he added.

Craig will soon star in a new James Bond movie which is scheduled for release on October 26, 2012 in the UK and on November 9, 2012 in the US.

Daniel Craig keeps his personal life undercover

If British actor Daniel Craig plays undercover agent 007 with elan, he is equally efficient at guarding his personal life as was evident when he tied the knot with Oscar winning actor Rachel Weisz, who starred in The Mummy — an event the paparazzi couldn’t sniff out.

News of Craig’s wedding with Weisz last month surprised everyone. “It’s not about safeguarding; I don’t want to safeguard my personal life. I just don’t want to talk about it and after all you really can’t stop the paparazzi from knowing what they want to, can you?” said the 43-year-old James Bond actor.

In his almost two-decade long career, Craig has acted in two Bond movies — Quantum of Solace and Casino Royale. “I like working on all genres, but personally I am a huge fan of the action genre,” he said.
He is about to start working on the new Bond movie titled Bond 23, to be directed by Sam Mendes, but Craig is reluctant to reveal the details. “It is too early to talk about it but, yes, my next Bond movie is Bond 23 and the script is in really good shape. I’m very excited about it and I’m delighted that Sam is going to direct it.”

His new film Cowboys and Aliens, directed by Jon Favreau, released on July 29. Set in Arizona in 1873, the film is about a loner named Jake Lonergan (Daniel Craig) who awakens with no memory of his past and a mysterious shackle on his wrist. This is the first time that Daniel Craig has worked together with Harrison Ford of Indiana Jones. Craig praised his co-star and said: “It was a privilege to work with Ford. He’s a really nice, generous, funny man and he’s an actor who just wants to get it right.”

I would star in a Bollywood movie,"Daniel Craig"

Daniel Craig has said that he would consider starring in a Bollywood film.

The James Bond actor, who is promoting his forthcoming release Cowboys and Aliens, said that he recognises the potential of cinema in India, Mid Day reports.

Craig said: "I think it's a huge market. My last two Bond movies did good business in India."

The actor confirmed that some scenes from Bond 23 will be shot in India.

"Yes, that's true," he said. "And I am absolutely thrilled about it."

When asked if he had any preference for a Bollywood actress who might be cast as a Bond girl, he replied: "I don't know any Bollywood actress personally, but Indian women are very beautiful and they will surely make wonderful Bond girls."

Craig added that while he has an interest in Bollywood, he has not been approached by a producer.

"Nothing has come my way yet, but if things work out then why not?" he said.

Craig will appear as James Bond for the third time in the 23rd instalment of the series.

The film is due for release on October 26, 2012 in the UK and November 9, 2012 in the US.

'Bond 23' is my best Bond adventure so far, says Daniel Craig

Daniel Craig has said that the script of his upcoming Bond movie is better than his debut flick 'Casino Royale'.

The actor first played the famous super spy in the 2006 hit, and reprised the role for the sequel, 'Quantum of Solace'.

While the latter film under performed with critics, Craig is adamant the upcoming, unnamed 23rd instalment of the franchise will be his best Bond adventure so far.

"I read the script the other day and I'm more excited about this than I was about Casino because we've kind of got a classic Bond movie plus lots of other things," the Daily Express quoted him as saying.

Pierce Brosnan to star in Stephen King's 'Bag of Bones'

Pierce Brosnan has joined the miniseries Bag of Bones.

The former James Bond star will play a novelist in A&E's adaptation of the Stephen King horror novel.

Bag of Bones centres on an author who - four years after the death of his wife - begins to suffer from nightmares set at the couple's lake house in rural Maine. He ultimately decides to move to the house in order to confront his fears.

Annabeth Gish (Brotherhood) is also due to star in the project.

Brosnan previously signed on to a new romantic comedy from Academy Award-winning Danish director Susanne Bier titled All You Need is Love.

Earlier this week, it was reported that the film studio Universal has decided not to commit to Ron Howard's adaptation of Stephen King's Dark Tower series, though filmmakers are currently searching for another means of financial backing.

Bag of Bones begins production next month and is expected to air later this year.

I married secretly,"Daniel Craig"

James Bond actor Daniel Craig, who tied the knot with actress Rachel Weisz in a surprise low-key ceremony, says he will never speak about the big day publicly because he wants to keep his private life out of the spotlight.

"I did it secretly - I can't tell you how I pulled it off. My private life is incredibly important to me, and certainly that aspect of it is more than incredibly important to me," contactmusic.com quoted Craig as saying.

Daniel and Rachel, who star in horror movie "Dream House" together, began dating in December last year and tied the knot last month in front of just four people.

23rd James Bond movie to hit theatres next year

The 23rd 'James Bond' film will be released late next year.
MGM and Sony Pictures Entertainment have announced the news on Thursday.

The eagerly anticipated next episode of the all-action spy thriller will hold its traditionally lavish London premiere on October 26 at the Odeon Leicester Square, before opening in the U.S. on November 9, reports the Daily Mail.

Actor Daniel Craig would return for his third stint as the agent with a licence to kill in the as-yet-untitled film.
Dame Judi Dench would also reprise her role as M, while Ralph Fiennes and Javier Bardem are both rumoured to be joining the cast.

The ‘American beauty’ and ‘Revolutionary road’ tour de force Sam Mendes is to take over the directorial duties from Marc Forster, who helmed Quantum Of Solace in 2008.

Online rumours also suggested that Israeli model Esti Ginzburg is a hot favourite to become the next Bond girl.

Cinematographer Roger Deakins has confirmed on his fan forum last month that the work on the project was in its early stages.

“Yes, I can say that I am doing the next ''Bond'' film. It is early days and the film won''t shoot until November,” he had written.

James Bond shooting in Mumbai

The 23rd film in the franchise to be shot in and around the city James Bond might well be coming to town sometime soon.

A highly-placed source informs that Bond 23, the newest film in the hugely successful franchise will be shooting in and around Mumbai.

"Director Sam Mendes recently made a hush-hush visit to the city along with production designer Terry Bamber in mid-April for the film's recce.

The movie will be shot in Mumbai and Goa during the monsoon season on a month-long schedule, " reveals our source.

The crew of the film is an excited but nervous lot. They expect the shoot to be a maddening one, given Bond's fan following here.

India Take One, who also did line production for Slumdog Millionaire, are doing the production for this film as well.

ONCE BEFORE
Octopussy (1983), the 13th film in the Bond series, was shot in Agra and Udaipur. Roger Moore played Bond in the movie which had Kabir Bedi and Vijay Amritraj in the cast.

RECENT SHOOTERS
Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Rises (in Jodhpur on May 6 and May 7)
Ang Lee's Life Of Pi starring Irrfan Khan and Tabu shot in Pondicherry
Brad Bird's Mission Impossible-Ghost Protocol starring Tom Cruise and Anil Kapoor
Michael Winterbottom's Trishna starring Frieda Pinto shot in Rajasthan and Mumbai.


Credit : Mid-Day.com

Sean Connery prefers golf to being guest of honour at Tartan Week

Ex-James Bond  Sir Sean Connery has chosen to play golf instead of attending the Tartan Week in New York as a guest of honour.

Connery, 80, has been a long-time supporter and honorary chairman of Dressed to Kilt, but he has backed out of the fashion show at the last minute.

The actor, who has been at the event in New York with his wife Micheline five times in the past seven years, was expected to be this year''s guest of honour.

He was expected to attend especially since his 15-year-old granddaughter Saskia, daughter of his stepson Stephane, would be modelling for the first time.

But his publicist, Nancy Seltzer, has admitted that he will not be attending, prompting fears that health problems are keeping him away.

Seltzer insists that the film icon is in perfect health and just prefers to play golf at home in the Bahamas.

"I''ve left word for Sean, who is on the golf course. He told me he wasn''t attending and had retired from public appearances," the Scotsman quoted her as saying when she was told organisers were expecting the actor.

"I will ask him again, but he''s feeling fine," she said.

She later said that she had spoken to Connery on the phone and that he had confirmed he would not be attending, though his wife will.

Since its launch in 2004, the annual Dressed to Kilt fundraiser has seen famous Scots such as Gerard Butler and Alan Cumming join professional models to show off cutting-edge tartan designs and clothing.

Dressed to Kilt organisers seemed perplexed by the last-minute change to the arrangement.

"Just earlier this week we had no doubt Sir Sean would be coming in his capacity as our honorary chairman," a source said.

"He was expected, but obviously something has happened to change this, which is a real disappointment. It''s a bit of a shock and, to be honest, strange that the guest list would be changing so late in the day.

"We got a call to tell us Sir Sean isn''t coming. Apparently, he''s on the golf course.

"He''s made no secret of his passion for Dressed to Kilt over the years and his name was definitely on the guest-list. It''s all a bit odd," the source added.