Already all systems GO on Bond 22.

[Daltons Chin Dimple]

From Garth's place :

Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson are rushing ahead with the untitled 22nd James Bond film, the second of three films following events that kick off in "Casino Royale", by hiring a new screenwriter and director.

Oscar-winning screenwriter Tom Stoppard ("Shakespeare in Love", "Brazil", "Empire of the Sun", "Enigma", "The Russia House") is apparently "in talks" to pen the screenplay, replacing series vets Neal Purvis and Robert Wade who worked with "Crash" writer Paul Haggis on 'Casino'.

The hiring is doubly interesting in that Stoppard is presently rewriting the next (and likely last) film in the similar but more contemporary espionage franchise - "The Bourne Ultimatum".

The paper also claims that Eon Productions are "in negotiations" with South African-born director Roger Michell ("Notting Hill", "Changing Lanes", "Persuasion", "The Mother") to helm, Michell has worked with actor Daniel Craig twice before and was a strong supporter in the hiring of Craig as 007.

The question now is, aside from how reliable are these claims, is the potential release date - there's talk of moving forward quickly enough to get the film out as early as late next year in order to cash in on Bond's moniker being incorporated into the date (ie. 2007).

[Kara Milovy]

The 007 on 007 we've discussed before. These are great choices with good resumes, and I'll be very happy to wave goodbye to Purvis & Wade.

[Daltons Chin Dimple]

They just worry me (Purvis and Wade I mean). Every interview I see with them intimates that they think up the set-pieces, the innuendo gags etc first..... then just try and find a way to pull them all together.

CR will let us see how well Haggis has worked out doing the polishing. However some script reviews say there are still a few P&W style clunkers in there.

[Kara Milovy]

We can live with a few clunkers if the overall script is good. P&W are in their 30s I think, Roger Moore babies. They think "Sit!" is funny.

[Daltons Chin Dimple]

I, too, am a Roger Moore baby and I can't stand all that stuff. I openly weep whenever one of the greatest stunts of all time (the AMC Hornet roll in TMWTGG) is ruined by the slide whistle.

[Daltons Chin Dimple]

Also, am I the only one that finds the Union Jack parachute at the end of the fantastic opening to TSWLM annoying ?

[Cooper]

I was never a big fan of the over-the-top humor in Moore's films. The slide whistle in TMWTGG is criminal. However, I have no problem with the Union Jack in TSWLM. I wonder that has anything to do with our different nationalities. As an American, one of the reasons I love Bond is that he is English, on her majesty's secret service, defender of the crown and all that rot. So I enjoy seeing the Union Jack parachute open up at the end of that opening. (It also is a nice coda related to Bond's dramatic, "England needs me" proclamation in the cabin)

[Kara Milovy]

The slide whistle was John Barry's fault, and he is properly ashamed. I like the Union Jack. The jump was so spectacular, but you needed a visual flourish to top it off, and that's a good one.

[Daltons Chin Dimple]

I always thought the music was flourish enough as the 'chute is popped, no need for it to be a Union Jack. It's not necessary, and it's silly (although as a Bond fan I am in no position to comment on silliness !!!).