And "Royale" Shall Be Its Name

By: News Editor
Date: Friday, February 04, 2005
Source: Variety and JamesBond.com

MGM has announced that the 21st Jame Bond film will be called "Casino Royale." Martin Campbell will direct, while Neal Purvis and Robert Wade will pen the script. Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli will server as producers on the film and help to oversee the development of the project.

No actor has been set yet as the new Bond.

And from the official press release:

Wilson and Broccoli said, "We are thrilled that Martin has accepted our offer to direct CASINO ROYALE. He is an extremely talented director and we believe he will help take our films in a new and exciting direction. He is currently finishing filming 'Legend Of Zorro', the sequel to 'The Mask Of Zorro', and will be joining EON Productions shortly to work on the development of the script with our writers, Neal Purvis and Robert Wade."

"Martin is an incredibly exciting filmmaker. GOLDENEYE was a wonderful movie and helped reinvigorate the Bond franchise. We're thrilled to have him back to direct the newest Bond," stated Chris McGurk, MGM Vice Chairman and COO.

Born in New Zealand, Campbell moved to England in 1966 and made his directorial debut on the popular TV series' 'The Professionals' and 'Minder'. He moved to America in 1986 to direct 'Criminal Law' and 'Defenceless'. Following GOLDENEYE, he went on to direct 'The Mask Of Zorro', 'Vertical Limit' and 'Beyond Borders' and is currently directing 'Legend Of Zorro'.

CASINO ROYALE will be released in 2006 and distributed world-wide by MGM. No decision has yet been made regarding casting for the role of 'James Bond'.