James Bond (Daniel Craig) in the chase sequence of CASINO ROYALE(2006).
© MGM/Columbia Pictures

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Creators, Craig Talk JAMES BOND 22

Danny Graydon over at Variety has tried to squeeze some answers out of EON, Sony, and the creators for details of JAMES BOND 22. While they've kept mum on the exact story details for the upcoming sequel, they did talk about the character itself and what will he will be like in the next installment as well as talking about the success of CASINO ROYALE. While pre-production and some principal photography for Bond 22 has already begun in Italy and Spain, actual filming doesn't begin until December. The same writers behind "Royale", Neil Purvis and Robert Wade along with Oscar winner Paul Haggis (Crash, Million-Dollar Baby) are leading this next film, directing duties has been turned over to Marc Forster(Monster's Ball, Finding Neverland). Now, it's time to turn it over to some details Variety columnist, Graydon, got out of the creators...

How does Sony feel about restaring the franchise? (Note: This question leads to the second question..)

"What we found is that you can strip away a lot of the bells and whistles, but it still feels uniquely like a Bond film," notes Sony co-chairman Amy Pascal. "Throughout the history of the franchise, the actors, tone and style of the films have changed, but the fundamental essence of what makes Bond endures."

Will we see a return of Q and Money Penny?

"There may come a point where those beloved characters return, but," Broccoli said, "at the moment, they're not in 22."

What's the James Bond 22 script cover?

Broccoli:  "[the script] will continue the path of Bond trying to find out who was behind the Le Chiffre operation. That's as much as we're going to say."

"I can tell you it starts right where 'Casino' left off. Yes, Bond will be going after the organization that we hinted at. It will be the same Bond you saw in 'Casino,'" Haggis added, "a very human and flawed assassin, a man who has to navigate a morally complex and often cynical world while attempting to hold onto his deep beliefs of what is right and wrong."

"He also has to deal with revenge," Craig told the Chicago Sun-Times, "because he has lost the girl. Bond is still maybe too headstrong, and he doesn't make all of the right decisions."

What about original Ian Fleming source material running dry?

"You're always looking back at Fleming for inspiration," notes Broccoli's EON partner Michael G. Wilson, "all the writers do. Without getting specific, maybe there will be references to certain episodes. The approach to it is that Fleming is very much in the fabric of it."

How does director Marc Forster & Eon feel about leading the next Bond?

"I've always been a fan of Bond," director Marc Forster says, "so this has been a childhood dream of mine. Daniel Craig is a fantastic actor, and it becomes more character-driven just because of him. That inspired me to be part of this. It's important that the action is good, because I want it to be exciting, but it's important to me to never lose that connection to Bond and the emotional arc he goes on. "

"We have always believed that great filmmakers can always work in multiple genres," Broccoli says. "(Forster) is certainly a great filmmaker and a great storyteller. ... It will not only pack a dramatic punch, but also deliver on the action."

Adds Pascal: "Marc is an incredibly sophisticated filmmaker with great visual style and a lot of energy. The pairing of Marc and Daniel is very exciting, and it was in keeping with the new direction of the franchise to bring in a fresh and original talent like Marc."

To read the full article, click here.

JAMES BOND 22 hits theaters everywhere November 7, 2008.