Boy it’s been a while since I posted anything about Bond and this morning a press release came to my email that I simply had to do a post! “Welcome back commander!”
[you can see the motion poster over on 007 Facebook]
LONDON, UK, December 4, 2014 – 007 Soundstage, Pinewood Studios, London. James Bond Producers, Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli today released the title of the 24th James Bond adventure, SPECTRE. The film, from Albert R. Broccoli’s EON Productions, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, and Sony Pictures Entertainment, is directed by Sam Mendes and stars Daniel Craig, who returns for his fourth film as Ian Fleming’s James Bond 007. SPECTRE begins principal photography on Monday, December 8, and is set for global release on November 6, 2015.
The launch of SPECTRE was streamed live on 007.com and Facebook.com/JamesBond007, and here’s the video if you missed it:
Along with Daniel Craig, Mendes presented the returning cast, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Ben Whishaw and Rory Kinnear as well as introducing Christoph Waltz, Léa Seydoux, Dave Bautista, Monica Bellucci and Andrew Scott. Mendes also revealed Bond’s sleek new Aston Martin, the DB10, created exclusively for the movie.
Official synopsis:
A cryptic message from Bond’s past sends him on a trail to uncover a sinister organisation. While M battles political forces to keep the secret service alive, Bond peels back the layers of deceit to reveal the terrible truth behind SPECTRE.
Bond’s going back to the classic Aston Martin too, which is by far one of my favorite of all Bond’s fantastic rides. Man, the DB10 is going to be specifically built for the film and it’s absolutely drool-worthy!! Heck, I’d rather take his car home than Bond himself, ahah.
The 007 production will be based at Pinewood Studios, and on location in London, Mexico City, Rome and Tangier and Erfoud, in Morocco. Bond will return to the snow once again, this time in Sölden, along with other Austrian locations, Obertilliach, and Lake Altaussee.
Commenting on the announcement, Wilson and Broccoli said, “We’re excited to announce Daniel’s fourth installment in the series and thrilled that Sam has taken on the challenge of following on the success of SKYFALL with SPECTRE.”.
Per EMPIRE, the evil organization has not had a presence in the Bond universe thanks to a long-running copyright battle between MGM and the estate of Kevin McClory, the producer of Thunderball and the unofficial Connery Bond, Never Say Never Again. That, however, was resolved in 2013, paving the way for SPECTRE to return to the Bond movies. People have been speculating that Christoph Waltz will be playing Spectre’s leader, Ernst Stavro Blofeld, but according to the UK mag, his character’s name is Oberhauser [??]
Man, I’m super excited for this!! What a cast, too, woo hoo!!! I LOVE Christophe Waltz, the Austrian thespian really impressed me in Inglourious Basterds and he has been working steadily in Hollywood ever since. He’d be great as the villain, with Bautista as his henchmen I presume. Not sure who Andrew Scott is playing, but he’s playing another baddie named Denbigh. They’re playing it *safe* this time in casting actors who’ve won accolades playing bad guys previously, as Scott won BAFTA for portraying Sherlock‘s nemesis Moriarty in the BBC series.
I’m loving the female cast, too! I have always been a big fan of Naomie Harris as Money Penny, but now we’ve got gorgeous Italian and French beauties Monica Bellucci & Léa Seydoux. I’m actually surprised they haven’t cast Monica in previous Bond films, but she still looks stunning at 50 so it’s cool to see they don’t just cast young actresses as Bond girls!
SPECTRE is set for a October 23, 2015 release in the UK and a November 6, 2015 release in the US. Can’t friggin’ wait for this!!
So, what do you think of this announcement? Would love to hear your thoughts, folks!
FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG 
This automatically moves up my list of most anticipated 2015 movies. I can’t wait. Great and diverse cast, but the title is a little meh. Still, I’m not sweating a title. I’m just glad Craig is back as Bond!
Right on Keith!! Glad you’re in my camp. I love the cast and I actually like that they’re going back to the classics w/ the title and Bond fans know immediately what SPECTRE means. I’m glad Craig’s back as Bond though he’s looking a bit old, I’m ready for new blood, though it won’t be until 2020 probably.
YAY! I can’t wait, either. The cast, the premise, the car. 2015 is going to be a good year what with Star Wars, too. 😉
Oh right, wow 2015 is gonna be a major blockbuster year as Avengers 3 AND Batman vs Superman are out as well. I’ve always been a big Bond fan though, so this just shots high on my most-anticipated list!
The casting of Waltz could / should be a masterstroke! It’s a little early right now but I’ll be looking forward to it next year.
Yeah I think Waltz would be awesome as the main villain, though I had expected him to be Blofeld. No matter though, just BRING. IT. ON!!!
I want to see it now!! I’ve had a crush on Monica Bullucci since I saw her in Dracula years ago, so I’m glad she’s finally a Bond girl, she’s one of the most beautiful women on this earth. And of course Waltz as a villain, can’t wait to see what he’ll do with the role. I hope Bond will finally have his Joker, I’ve said many times, the weakest link in ALL of the Bond films are the lame villains. Looks like Mendes prefer short titles for his Bond films.
Oh yeah, the Aston Martin looks sweet, hopefully it will be in a cool car chase in the film.
I concur! Madam Bellucci is truly one of the most beautiful women ever, and apparently the Bond folks have been wanting to cast her for a while. I’m amazed she still looks THAT good at 50, wow!! She looks like Lea Seydoux’s older sister who’s only 29!
I like the shorter title, and well, it worked for Skyfall. Yeah I can’t wait to see the car chase w/ that cool DB10 too! Like I said, I’d take his ride over the spy himself any day! 😀
I haven’t been this giddy about movie-related news in some time Ruth. Bring on next November, I say!!!! And Monica Bellucci is 50, you say? wowee
Glad we share our giddiness about this news Tom!! November 2015 can’t come soon enough. And yes, I was flabbergasted to learn Bellucci is 50 years old! WOW, I guess she and Keanu have been drinking from the same fountain of youth!
Keanu’s never had to use his facial muscles to act, therefore he keeps youth easily on his side. Lol!!!! 😉
But yes, Bond 24 is now much, much cooler. I can’t wait. Wondering now who Miss Seydoux will play. She’s fantastic in the very limited things I’ve seen her in.
Ahah, I love Keanu, his erm, deadpan expression is part of his appeal 😉 I don’t say that about many actors, but he’s got charm most *wooden* actors don’t have.
I’m guessing Seydoux would be the main Bond girl that’d appear in the post-credit rendezvous but Bellucci might be the dangerous temptress that might have an ulterior motive. That’s just my guess of course! I LOVE this casting though I hope they’d give more screen time to Naomie Harris too!
Me too, me too!!! Speculation on Spectre is going to probably hit Interstellar levels within a few months, just you watch. 🙂
Good call on the casting of Seydoux/Bellucci. Those roles sound logical to me. And I like Keanu too, it’s just very fun to poke fun of him at the same time. Hehe
Heh, no, you really don’t wanna hear my thoughts, and I don’t wanna rain on anyone’s parade. I’ve never been a Bond fan, and nothing about this announcement is gonna change that, so we’ll leave it at that, lol. 😛
Ahah, that’s perfectly ok Chris! We can’t always like the same things man, but if you don’t mind me asking, what is it that you dislike about the franchise?
They’ve all just bored me, really. I’ve tried watching quite a few of them several times over the years, yet I’ve never been able to sit through an entire one without growing so bored that I just end up turning it off. So now I just don’t even try anymore, heh. I dunno, this franchise just doesn’t click with me like it does so many.
Ah I see, well I can see that. I have to admit the Connery Bond films don’t appeal to me as the latter ones, whilst Moore’s Bonds are pure nostalgia to me as I grew up watching ’em. They’re all very silly though.
Now, have you seen Timothy Dalton’s Bonds though? I always have a soft spot for his portrayal. But it’s ok if you don’t dig ’em either Chris, like I said, to each their own.
There’s a lot here to chew on. Especially, since we’ll be waiting for months till producers start pumping the OO7 fan well with sneaks and peaks of the production. They pulled out all stops for this, even having a new Aston Martin designed just for Bond 24. Great to have the SPECTRE storyline back in the fold.
Let’s see if Mendes and screenwriters can update it in a way that gives it credence.
Great that they’ll finally give Monica Bellucci a role in this. Even at 50, she’s gorgeous. Hopefully, it will be a meaningful character — major studios don’t hand good roles for women above a certain age. Definitely on my list for 2015.
Wonderful coverage, Ruth. Well done.
Somehow it slipped by me that the announcement was today but thankfully I got a press release via email so I just had to do a post! I like the nostalgia aspect of the storyline, and that Aston Martin is a beauty!! I’m curious too how the writers can somehow make Spectre relevant and interesting to today’s moviegoers.
Bellucci still looks A-MAZING at her age, wow!! Craig is lucky to have her as the Bond girl, ahah. Yep, I hope she has a pivotal part too, can’t imagine casting her and make her a throwaway character like Sévérine (Berenice Marlohe).
I’ll definitely be there. It’s already in my WIP list of the 25 Most Anticipated Film of 2015. With that cast, especially Seydoux and Bellucci, it just shot up in a nifty place in the top 5.
Hey Steven! How are you feeling man? Hope you’re getting some rest.
I’m thrilled about Seydoux and Bellucci casting, I had no idea they’re in the running but glad nonetheless.
I’m doing OK. I’m still coughing horribly. My tastebuds are working again. My head though is a bit groggy.
Who needs amphetamines when James Bond is coming in a few months? I will be hyper for the next 337 days. JP IV and SW VII just dropped down a spot. Sorry Avengers, you move down too. 007 rules my world.
Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding!!! Best comment ever, Richard!! Ahah yes, who needs amphetamines when we’ve got 007 to perk us up! I’m more excited for this than Star Wars or even Avengers, too!
So excited! LOVE the cast and Sam Mendes did a wonderful job on Skyfall. Great to see Monica Bellucci as a Bond girl at 50. She’s gorgeous. Now, if they confirm the rumor that Sam Smith is singing the title song, my life would be complete.
Woo hoo!! The cast is fantastic isn’t it? Especially the two new Bond girls, wow. This is perhaps the most critically-acclaimed Bond cast ever as practically all of them have won/been nominated for some major acting awards. Not sure who Sam Smith is, I have to google him. Sorry I’m so not up on contemporary music, ahah.
Yes, definitely some high-caliber acting talent in here. And you should listen to Sam Smith. I think he’s absolutely fantastic. He’s my favorite singer as of late, and rumored to be singing the title song (fingers crossed).
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!!!!!!!
This makes me beyond happy! That Aston! Waltz! Scott! Craig! So much awesome I can’t even mention it all! This has been my most anticipated movie for 2015 (if the schedules stayed true) so YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!!
This was great Friday morning news, thanks for keeping us posted lady 🙂
I LOVE that enthusiasm girl!! Yes too much awesomeness indeed, this just shot to my Top 5 most-anticipated list! It’s been too long since I blogged about Bond and I haven’t been THIS excited over an anticipated movie in a while, too!
😀 😀 Well, let’s see where it goes. I have nothing but faith though 😀 😀 😀
I think the casting of Waltz is very predictable – Dujardin next as villain perhaps? But I’m loving the casting of Bellucci, she is the oldest Bond ‘girl’ probably, but that’s terrific, she is hotter than three seventeen year olds combined 🙂
I think they initially wanted Chiwetel Ejiofor but it fell thru. Now I think that’d be inspired casting to have a black Bond villain again. But yeah, VERY excited about Bellucci as the oldest but probably hottest Bond girl ever!! I just think though she’s the kind of woman who could eat guys like Bond for breakfast, ahah.
To be fair Craig doesn’t look this formidable to begin with 🙂 Cast someone like Elba as Bond….now that would be something.
Ohhh hold that thought, Sati. We’re talking about Craig’s replacement wish list on today’s Five for the Fifth. I’d LOVE to see someone like Elba as Bond, if only the Bond producers have the guts to cast a black actor as 007!!
They really should I mean come on, they can have a black actor in Fantastic Four and Idris playing Nordic God but this is a no-no? Plus Elba actually looks strong and hot, Craig looks like I don’t know, a waiter.
Mwahahaha!! Poor Craig, my friend at work was just talking about how he looks so blue collar, not the elegant, sophisticated English gent of previous Bond actors. He looks perfect as a bad ass killer though, which was what they’re going for I think, but remember in Casino Royale he was mistaken for a valet guy? So yeah when he’s in a tux he does look like a waiter!
The Aston Martin looks amazing, and the cast excites me too. Talk about Christoph Waltz and Monica Belucci. Surprising to say the least that they are going with an older, though still beautiful, bond girl. If it’s anywhere as good as Skyfall then sign me up!
Thanks for sharing Ruth!
Hey Niels! With a cast like this my expectation is VERY high now so I hope Mendes doesn’t disappoint!
Pingback: Five for the Fifth: DECEMBER 2014 Edition |
Great post Ruth, I’m super excited for Spectre.
High five, Vinnie! 🙂
I for one am looking forward to this!
Glad to hear, Mark!
Hi Ruth! Awesome post. I’m so excited for this film! This and Star Wars are probably at the top of my list for most anticipated movies of next year.
Hi Josh! I’m lukewarm about Luke Skywalker & co. (see what I did there? 😀 ) I probably will see it as my hubby’s all over that, but I’m much more excited about Spectre!
Wow, this is super exciting news! I will definitely have to pass this onto Matt if he doesn’t already know. Thanks for the update, Ruth! I’m a fan of the cast, and it looks like they’ll be filming all over the world. It seems like next year’s November is going to be another big month for movies!
Yeah, Bond’s always shot on location which is why they’re so scenic! I’m really thrilled about the entire cast, but especially the two new Bond girls, glad it wasn’t Penelope Cruz as it was rumored for a while.
Ehh, I’m glad it’s not Penelope Cruz either . . . it’s nice to get someone fresh in the role!
Very cool announcement! I love Christopher Waltz and omg Daniel Craig he’s so gorgeous never disappoints.
Ahah, I didn’t know you find Craig gorgeous. I’m never into Blonds but Craig does have the swagger as Bond, so I think he’s great in the role. But at you know, I prefer the tall & dark guys hence my love for Timothy Dalton as Bond 😉
See that is my type or look that I LOVE… I have a thing for blondes and Daniel Craig has that perfect older guy look. Uh huh… yes I know you like them tall dark and handsome!
Pingback: Trailer Spotlight: SPECTRE first teaser is here! |