James Bond 23 gets a release date

Good news to start the day folks: James Bond 23 has a release date, which means loyal fans like myself can rejoice. Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli just announced the 23rd film in the superb series will open Nov. 9, 2012. The film will start in the U.K. on October 26.

Production will kick off later this year, and Sam Mendes is set to direct a script by Neal Purvis, Robert Wade and John Logan. Daniel Craig returns as 007. I have to admit I was afraid about Bond's future there for a second, but then again, it's one big profitable series.

Could Michael Sheen play Blofeld in 'Bond 23'?

This is just a rumor at this point, but according to The Guardian, Michael Sheen is apparently in early talks to play Ernst Stavro Blofeld in the upcoming James Bond feature.

Considering the project is only at the earliest developmental stages, and we just learned Peter Morgan would team up with scribes Neal Purvis and Robert Wade to write the script for "Bond 23," I find it hard to believe they are already looking for actors to fill unconfirmed roles.

But who knows... Blofeld could indeed return to the big screen. The villain already appeared in six official Bond flicks, including "Form Russia With Love," "Thunderball," "You Only Live Twice," "On Her Majesty's Secret Service," "Diamonds are Forever" and "For Your Eyes Only."

Indeed, there is also a connection between Morgan and Sheen. After all, Morgan wrote "The Queen" and "Frost/Nixon," two films Sheen starred in.

Anyway, it's certainly an interesting idea. We'll find out soon enough whether this is true or just another silly rumor. Stay tuned.

Daily news dose: Christine Jeffs to helm 'Tonight;' Bond 23 gets screenwriters

Here's your dose of film news for June 15, 2009:

• Christine Jeffs, who most recently directed "Sunshine Cleaning," is set to helm Castle Rock's upcoming "Wonderful Tonight." J. Mills Goodloe wrote the script, which centers on a bachelor and a woman whose lives change when she gets pegnant after a one-night stand. (Variety)

• Peter Morgan (pictured), whose credits include "The Queen" and "Frost/Nixon," will join regular Bond screenwriters Neal Purvis and Robert Wade for the script of Bond 23. Purvis and Wade also worked on the scripts for "Casino Royale" and "Quantum of Solace." No word yet on when the latest Bond will hit theaters, but my guess is November 2011. (The Hollywood Reporter)

• Skyler Samuels is the latest to join Brendan Fraser in Roger Kumble's upcoming family film "Furry Vengeance," a comedy about a developer who's forced to battle local wildlife while building a new housing subdivision in the Oregon wilderness. Samuels previously appeared on "Wizards of Waverly Place." (THR)

• RIA Novosti recently talked to Timur Bekmabetov, and the director told the news Web site that work on "Wanted 2" will begin shortly, with prep kicking off this summer and shooting tentatively set for this fall or winter. Oh, and apparently, Angelina Jolie's character will return for the sequel as well. Huh? (via ComingSoon)

Review: "Quantum of Solace" - Joseph's Take

Seen on: November 14, 2008

The players: Director: Marc Forster, Writers: Neal Purvis, Robert Wade, Paul Haggis, Cast: Daniel Craig, Judi Dench, Giancarlo Giannini, Jesper Christensen, Mathieu Amalric

Facts of interest: "Quantum of Solace" is the 22nd official Bond flick.

The plot: This time, James Bond (Daniel Craig) tries to stop a ruthless businessman from taking over one of thr world's most precious natural resources.

Our thoughts: When we last left James Bond (Daniel Craig), he had just found out that the first woman he ever gave his heart to had betrayed him. You do not get James Bond to feel something and then walk all over that newfound vulnerability. You just don’t do that and, if you knew how hard it was for this particular brand of man to get there to begin with, you couldn’t do it with any good conscience.

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'Quantum of Solace' web reviews

I've talked to quite a few people who saw Marc Forster's "Quantum of Solace," and views sure differ on this one. I personally enjoyed the new James Bond flick a lot, and you can read my review here. But what other online critics have to say about Daniel Craig's latest 007 adventure? Let's find out:

• Joblo's Chris Bumbray: "Some of the action scenes are stunning (such as another parkour inspired chase/fight near the start of the film) - but they’re also VERY hard to follow, and a little too BOURNE-like for my taste."

• Scott Weinberg at Cinematical: "Craig continues to excel as a gruff hero worth watching -- and his knack in the action scenes simply can't be knocked -- and there's more than enough here to recommend 'Quantum of Solace' as an above-average action film."

• Cinema Blend's Josh Tyler: "It doesn’t matter why Bond does what he does, his supposed inner suffering is the movie’s excuse for everything, including numerous instances of inexplicable behavior."

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Review: “Quantum of Solace” – Franck’s Take

Seen on: November 14, 2008

The players: Director: Marc Forster, Writers: Neal Purvis, Robert Wade, Paul Haggis, Cast: Daniel Craig, Judi Dench, Giancarlo Giannini, Jesper Christensen, Mathieu Amalric

Facts of interest: This is the 22nd official Bond flick.

The plot: This time, James Bond (Daniel Craig) tries to stop a ruthless businessman from taking over one of thr world's most precious natural resources.

Our thoughts: Marc Forster’s “Quantum of Solace” introduces viewers to a Bond different from others; one that some will applaud and others will disapprove of. I completely agree that this 22nd official James Bond adventure drastically diverges from the conventions of most of its predecessors, but that doesn’t automatically make it a bad film.

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Watch eight explosive ‘Quantum of Solace’ clips

Here are six new and explosive clips from Marc Forster’s upcoming James Bond adventure “Quantum of Solace,” due in theaters Nov. 14, 2008.

Car chase? Check. Boat chase? Check. Explosions? Check. Gun battle? Check. Well, what are you waiting for? Check out the footage after the jump.

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SPOILER pic from 'Quantum of Solace'

The Daily Mail just posted an exclusive spoiler image from Marc Forster's upcoming James Bond flick "Quantum of Solace," which hits theaters Nov. 14, 2008. As you can see above, the image shows Bond girl Gemma Arterton covered in oil, a direct homage to the brilliant 1964 007 adventure "Goldfinger." As a comparison, check out Shirley Eaton in the "Goldfinger" gold just below. 

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Watch the ‘Another Way to Die’ music video

Yahoo! Music today premiered the music video for Alicia Keys and Jack White’s “Another Way to Die,” the title song for Marc Forster’s James Bond adventure “Quantum of Solace.”

Check out the footage above. The film, starring Daniel Craig, opens Nov. 14. 

New 'Quantum of Solace' pics pop up online

The folks over at ComingSoon just got a hold of several new screenshots from Marc Forster's upcoming James Bond flick "Quantum of Solace," which which stars Daniel Craig, Mathieu Amalric, Olga Kurylenko, Judi Dench and Jesper Christensen. The film hits theaters Nov. 14, 2008. Enjoy some of the pics above and below, and be sure to go here for more!

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