Spectre has continued to top the North American box office in its second week of release.
The 24th James Bond movie, starring Daniel Craig, made $35.4 million between November 13 and 15, according to estimates.
The Peanuts Movie held firm at No 2, with takings of $24.2 million.
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt drama By the Sea failed to make a splash, taking just $95,440 at 10 screens.
Photo IMDb
The European art house film stars the real-life couple as a husband and wife struggling to cope in the aftermath of a trauma. The movie was also directed by Angelina Jolie – her third time at the helm of a movie – and the actress also wrote the script.
By the Sea, which marks the first time Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have appeared together on the big screen since Mr. & Mrs. Smith in 2005, has been generally panned by critics.
Despite its poor takings, By the Sea’s limited release is thought unlikely to hurt its film company, Universal, too much since it was made for a relatively modest budget of $10 million.
Spectre‘s takings fell 50% in its second weekend, bringing its North American total to $130.7 million.
That is well behind the $161 million earned by its predecessor Skyfall over the same period.
The Peanuts Movie – the family-friendly adaptation of the beloved Charles Schulz comic strip, featuring Charlie Brown and Snoopy – saw its second weekend takings drop by 45%, bringing its total in the US to $82.5 million.
The rest of the top five saw Love the Coopers, an ensemble comedy about a family gathering starring Diane Keaton and Alan Arkin, enter the chart at number three with $8.4 million.
Old release The Martian dropped one place to No 4, while at number five was another new release, The 33.
The 33, based on the 2010 Chilean mining disaster, took $5.8 million from 2,452 theaters.
Spectre has topped the North American box office in its first weekend of release.
The 24th movie in James Bond franchise, which sees Daniel Craig reprise his role as 007, earned $73 million between November 6 and 7, according to early estimates.
However, Spectre failed to beat the performance of the last James Bond movie Skyfall, which took $88.4 million in 2012.
The lower figure was partly due to this weekend’s release of The Peanuts Movie.
The family-friendly adaptation of the beloved Charles Schulz comic strip, featuring Charlie Brown and Snoopy, took $45 million.
Spectre still had the second-biggest opening weekend for a Bond film in the US and Canada.
“We never expected [Spectre] to open to the level of Skyfall,” Rory Bruer, Sony’s president of worldwide distribution, said.
“It was a very different scenario. The competition was different, the weekend was different. One thing I am certain of is that the Bond franchise is as healthy and strong as ever.”
The rest of the top five was made up of previous releases The Martian, family horror Goosebumps and Tom Hanks’ movie Bridge of Spies.
Three movies hoping to score success this awards season also opened in limited release across five theaters. They included Spotlight, which took $302,276.
Saoirse Ronan’s 1950s-set immigrant story Brooklyn made $181,000, while Bryan Cranston biopic Trumbo took $77,229.
Spectre has broken all-time box office records in nearly every market in which it has been released so far.
The 24th James Bond movie’s launch in the UK set a new record for movies released on a Monday – as opposed to a Friday – taking more than £41 million ($65 million) in its first week.
Spectre beat previous Monday release record holder, 2004’s Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, which took £23.8 million.
Records were also set in the Norway, the Netherlands, Finland and Denmark.
Spectre took $80.4 million in all six released territories.
Skyfall, the previous James Bond movie, was the highest-grossing 007 movie in the franchise’s history, taking $1.1 billion worldwide.
Daniel Craig’s fourth outing as 007 has received widespread critical acclaim, with one saluting it as “pure action mayhem”.
Spectre opens in the US on November 6 where it is expected to top the box office, after a Halloween weekend of flops.
Prince William, Kate Middleton and Prince Harry have joined Spectre stars for its world premiere in London.
Daniel Craig, Monica Belluci and Lea Seydoux walked the red carpet ahead of the Royal Albert Hall screening.
Spectre is the first James Bond movie to open in theaters on the same day as its premiere.
The movie goes on general release in the UK and Ireland on October 26.
Cast members Christoph Waltz, Naomie Harris, Andrew Scott, Ben Whishaw, and Ralph Fiennes also attended the screening.
The 24th official entry in the franchise sees James Bond battling a criminal syndicate led by Franz Oberhauser, played by Christoph Waltz.
Spectre is directed by Skyfall‘s Sam Mendes, who is also on the red carpet with producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli.
Daniel Craig said Sam Mendes was “one of the best directors there is” and that he had enjoyed being “creatively involved from the very beginning”.
Spectre is the third James Bond movie chosen for the Royal Film Performance since its inception in 1946. It follows previous premieres for Die Another Day (2002) and Skyfall (2012).
Early reviews have been positive.
Spectre was shot at Pinewood Studios and filmed on location in London, Mexico City, Rome and Tangier and Erfoud, in Morocco.
The shadowy organization SPECTRE – which was previously an acronym for the Special Executive for Counter-Intelligence, Terrorism, Revenge and Extortion – last made an appearance in 1971’s Diamonds Are Forever, with Sean Connery as James Bond.
Spectre’s first full-length trailer for has been released online.
The two-and-a-half minute clip – which sees Daniel Craig reprise his role as James Bond for a fourth time – gives a closer look at the movie after a teaser was released in March.
Featuring car chases, exploding planes and shady crime organizations, it bares all the hallmarks of classic James Bond.
Spectre will have its world premiere in London on October 26.
The new trailer for the 24th James Bond movie begins with a first look at Ralph Fiennes in his new role as MI6 boss M, questioning Bond about a rogue mission to Mexico City.
James Bond is then seen in Rome, where he meets Lucia Sciarra – played by Monica Bellucci – the widow of an infamous criminal.
After a suggested quick tryst with Lucia Sciarra, James Bond infiltrates a secret meeting and uncovers the existence of the crime organization known as Spectre.
Having previously only seen him as a shadowy character in the teaser clip, Christoph Waltz is also finally revealed as James Bond villain Franz Oberhauser.
There is also a first glimpse of Andrew Scott, who stars as Max Denbigh, the new head of the Centre for National Security.
Fans on Twitter were quick to give their reaction to the new trailer and many noted it featured some of the theme to 1969’s On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.
Daniel Craig paid a visit to the United Nations in New York on Tuesday, April 14
Daniel Craig, 47, met up with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to accept a new role: as global advocate for the elimination of mines and explosive hazards.
“As 007, you have a license to kill,” said Ban Ki-moon.
“Today, we are giving you a license to save.”
“I’m honored to accept this role [and] humbled that I’ll get the chance to work next to people who are risking their lives every day to help ordinary people live ordinary lives,” said Daniel Craig.
Daniel Craig is heading back to the set of the latest James Bond film, Spectre, after his recent knee surgery.
Daniel Craig has had knee surgery after an injury sustained while shooting scenes for new James Bond movie Spectre.
Eon Productions said Daniel Craig, 47, had had a “minor procedure” in New York during a break in production over Easter.
A spokeswoman denied reports Daniel Craig had missed several days of filming on the 24th James Bond movie.
“During a scheduled break, Daniel Craig had arthroscopic surgery to repair his knee injury. He will rejoin production on April 22nd at Pinewood,” she said.
Filming on Spectre began at Pinewood Studios, in Buckinghamshire, last December, and has since moved to Rome and Mexico.
It is Daniel Craig’s fourth outing as the secret service agent, and follows the success of 2012’s Skyfall, which made $1.1 billion worldwide.
Spectre features Christoph Waltz plays a character called Oberhauser – which, in the novels, is the name of James Bond’s former skiing instructor. However, it has been rumored the actor will be revealed as James Bond’s old nemesis, Ernst Stavro Blofeld.
Ernst Stavro Blofeld was the “number one” in Spectre, an international crime syndicate which last featured in the Sean Connery-era films.
Daniel Craig will appear in a special James Bond sketch for Comic Relief, to be broadcast as part of Red Nose Day on March 13.
The skit will feature in Face the Funny, the charity’s first show to be broadcast live from the London Palladium.
Professor Stephen Hawking will appear in a new Little Britain sketch, featuring David Walliams as carer Lou.
The physicist will take Matt Lucas’s role as the fake wheelchair-bound Andy.
It is the second Comic Relief sketch for Daniel Craig, who is currently filming new James Bond movie Spectre.
Daniel Craig appeared in a sketch with Catherine Tate in 2009, which saw her character Elaine Figgis dating a spy played by the actor.
Stephen Hawking’s Little Britain cameo follows Kate Moss’ appearance during a Comic Relief show at Hammersmith Apollo in 2006, when she joined Matt Lucas on stage as Katie Pollard, the sister of Vicky Pollard.
Other previously announced sketches to feature during this year’s charity appeal include Rowan Atkinson’s return as Mr. Bean, Dawn French in the Vicar of Dibley and highlights of Peter Kay’s live Phoenix Nights show.
John Bishop, Eddie Izzard, Davina McCall and David Walliams will also take to the stage for a reinvention of Monty Python’s Four Yorkshiremen sketch.
Dermot O’Leary will complete his 24-hour dance marathon live at the London Palladium.
Idris Elba has responded to rumors of becoming the next James Bond after Sony attack.
The actor has said he’s done nothing to deny the rumors.
“Isn’t 007 supposed to [be] handsome? Glad you think I’ve got a shot! Happy New year people,” Idris Elba tweeted, along with a picture of himself.
Current star, Daniel Craig, is committed to just one more movie.
Reports about the leaked Sony Pictures Entertainment emails suggest that a message from chairman Amy Pascal read: “Idris should be the next Bond.”
Amy Pascal was thought to be emailing Elizabeth Cantillon, the former executive vice president of production for Columbia Pictures – which distributes the Bond franchise.
There has been no confirmation from Sony Pictures that the actor will be the next 007.
Earlier this week, Rush Limbaugh criticized the rumors, saying that because the original author Ian Fleming wrote James Bond as “a white [man] from Scotland”, the character should not be played by a black actor.
“That’s not who James Bond is, and I know it’s racist to probably even point this out,” he said.
Idris Elba, 42, has previously said he would like to play James Bond.
Daniel Craig is currently filming upcoming James Bond movie, Spectre.
Spectre has been announced as the title of the 24th official James Bond film.
Director Sam Mendes revealed the title at a launch event at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire, where principal photography is due to begin on December 8.
Daniel Craig will play 007 for the fourth time in the film, to be released in the UK on October 23, 2015.
Other cast members were also announced at Thursday’s event, which was beamed around the world.
They include Andrew Scott, as a Whitehall-based character called Denbigh, and Dave Bautista, playing a henchman called Mr. Hinx.
Monica Bellucci and Lea Seydoux have been unveiled as the new Bond girls, named Lucia Sciarra and Madeleine Swann respectively.
As previously reported, Christoph Waltz will have a role in the film, playing a character called Oberhauser.
The name of the character is the same as that of James Bond’s former ski instructor, though it has been rumored Christoph Waltz will really be playing Bond’s old nemesis Ernst Stavro Blofeld.
Spectre – Special Executive for Counter-intelligence, Terrorism, Revenge and Extortion – was the name of an international crime syndicate, whose Number One was Ernst Stavro Blofeld himself.
The organization featured in the Bond films of the 1960s and was part of a legal tussle with a rival film producer that was recently resolved after many years.
Thursday’s event also saw the unveiling of the Aston Martin DB10 which James Bond will be driving in his latest screen adventure.
The car manufacturer had had a long association with the James Bond series, starting with Goldfinger in 1964.
Daniel Craig, 46, first played Ian Fleming’s legendary secret agent in 2006’s Casino Royale, then in 2008’s Quantum of Solace and 2012’s Skyfall.
The 007 production will be based at Pinewood Studios and on location in London, Mexico City, Rome and Tangier and Erfoud, in Morocco.
James Bond will return to the snow once again, this time in Solden, along with other Austrian locations, Obertilliach, and Lake Altaussee.
Daniel Craig has pulled of thriller The Whole Truth, days before he was due to begin shooting in Boston with co-star Renee Zellweger.
Daniel Craig, 46, was set to play a district attorney and had been spotted preparing for the role at Boston’s Suffolk County Superior Court last month.
Producers have halted production on the film, according to the Boston Globe.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, the start date has been moved back by three weeks.
Daniel Craig has pulled of thriller The Whole Truth, days before he was due to begin shooting in Boston with co-star Renee Zellweger
Directed by Frozen River‘s Courtney Hunt, the film was scheduled to being filming on April 14. It is thought Daniel Craig left the project on Sunday.
The film would have seen Daniel Craig appear alongside Renee Zellweger and 19-year-old Gabriel Basso.
The independent project was announced during the Berlin Film Festival in February.
Daniel Craig will soon reprise his role as 007 in the 24th James Bond film, due out next year.
The actor and his wife Rachel Weisz – who recently co-starred on stage in a Broadway revival of Harold Pinter’s play Betrayal – were seen together on Monday at a charity gala in New York.
The event was organized by the Opportunity Network, a charity supported by Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz, which helps high-achieving, low-income students gain entry to top colleges.
Sam Mendes is to direct the 24th James Bond film, due for release in 2015, it has been announced.
Daniel Craig will reprise his role as 007, with the script penned by Oscar winner, John Logan.
Producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli said: “We’re really excited to be working once again with Daniel Craig, Sam Mendes and John Logan.”
Bond 24 is due for release in the UK on 23 October 2015 and on 6 November 2015 in the US.
Skyfall’s Sam Mendes, who directed the recently-opened West End musical Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, said he was “very much looking forward to taking up the reins again, and to working with Daniel Craig, Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli for a second time”.
Sam Mendes is to direct the 24th James Bond film, due for release in 2015
He added: “I am very pleased that by giving me the time I need to honor all my theatre commitments, the producers have made it possible for me to direct Bond 24.”
Skyfall made $1.1 billion at the worldwide box office and won two Oscars – singer Adele’s theme song of the same name won best original song and there was an award for sound editing.
It was also named the outstanding British film by BAFTA.
It was reported in May that Sam Mendes had resumed talks with producers about directing the next Bond film, having previously ruled himself out due to other commitments.
Sam Mendes is due to follow Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by directing Shakespeare’s King Lear at the National Theatre in January 2014.
The last film-maker to lead consecutive Bond movies was former editor John Glen, who directed five films in a row between 1981 to 1989.
Queen Elizabeth II has received an honorary BAFTA award for her lifelong support of the British film and television industry.
Sir Kenneth Branagh presented the Queen with the award in a star-studded gala at Windsor Castle.
BAFTA chairman John Willis described Queen Elizabeth as “the most memorable Bond girl yet” – a reference to her cameo in the London Olympics opening ceremony.
Hollywood director George Lucas, who flew in especially for the event, said the UK had been influential for him.
John Willis said: “We should be proud of our industry. The people here this evening represent a vast variety of skills and ground breaking innovation, they have entertained and informed a generation and inspired generations to come.
“I am delighted that this evening has given us the opportunity to give something back. I have the great honor to announce that we are to present Her Majesty with an honorary BAFTA today, in recognition of her outstanding patronage of the film and television industries.”
Queen Elizabeth II has received an honorary BAFTA award for her lifelong support of the British film and television industry
The Queen, who attended with Prince Philip, featured with Daniel Craig as James Bond at London 2012 – when she appeared to parachute from a helicopter.
To laughter from the audience, actor Kenneth Branagh said: “Your sensational appearance at the opening ceremony of last year’s Olympics was especially memorable.
“So much so that several of my colleagues here tonight want you to know that should you wish to take it further into the world of British films that they have a number of scripts with them here this evening. I have to warn you, Your Majesty, not all of these films are fully financed.”
The 300 guests represented all areas of the industry including actors, directors, writers, producers, costume and set designers, publicists and critics.
Homeland star Damian Lewis, who attended the event with his actress wife Helen McCrory, said: “The arts and film industry punch above their weight with little funding.
“Our arts in this country and theatre and film and TV are some of our greatest exports, to have that recognized by your monarch is important.”
Comedian Billy Connolly attended the reception as did director Terry Gilliam, actress Minnie Driver and actor Idris Elba.
Actor John Hurt also commented on the Queen’s appearance at the Olympics.
“It was a bit of good fun, I thought so – good on her,” he said.
John Hurt revealed he had come to the event from filming Doctor Who, for its 50th anniversary, in Cardiff.
George Lucas said: “I’ve been here since ’75 so for me this is my second home.
“It’s been very influential for me, I’ve shot lots of movies here not only four of the Star Wars films but also Indiana Jones, all kinds of films – it’s been a long road.”
He added: “Many, many years ago Britain didn’t support the film industry and when I came here it was on its last legs and fortunately now it’s a lot steadier.”
When Queen Elizabeth appeared to parachute into the Olympic Stadium this summer it was hailed as one of the greatest moments in British television history.
As part of the lavish London 2012 opening ceremony the Queen was shown jumping from a helicopter with James Bond actor Daniel Craig, but ever since there has been mystery surrounding how, exactly, she was persuaded to do it – until now.
Lifting the lid on her first movie role, Lord Sebastian Coe has revealed the audacious stunt had been kept a secret from the Queen’s own dumbstruck family who watched it unfold on July 27 this year.
Prince Charles “roared with laughter” and Princes Harry and William began yelling “Go Granny!” as she was shown flying across the London sky before appearing in the Royal box, he said.
In his autobiography, Running My Life and serialized in The Times, Lord Coe discusses how director Danny Boyle, LOCOG CEO Paul Deighton and even Prime Minister David Cameron had helped make it happen and admitted he was “speechless and nervous” about it.
“When we saw those shoes and peach colored dress disappearing into the night sky under a billowing parachute, we [he and Paul Deighton] looked at each other, both thinking <<Oh my God! What have we sanctioned here!>>,” he wrote.
During the ceremony Prince William and Prince Harry were sat behind Lord Coe, who was sat next to Prince Charles.
“Prince Charles looked at me and began laughing rather nervously, wondering where on earth this was going. And when the film cut to the shot of the Royal back, he had exactly the same reaction as everyone else, which was to assume that it was the lady who does the impersonations. But the moment she turned around and everyone realized <<My God! It really is the Queen!>> he began roaring with laughter. As for his sons, they were beside themselves.
“As she started her descent, two voices behind me [William and Harry] shouted in unison <<Go Granny!>>.”
When Queen Elizabeth appeared to parachute into the Olympic Stadium this summer it was hailed as one of the greatest moments in British television history
Danny Boyle had the original idea and Lord Coe knew the Queen’s deputy private secretary Edward Young. David Cameron was then informed, who also thought it was a great idea, so brought it up with the Queen during their weekly audience at the Palace.
“I’ll never forget when Danny showed Paul [Deighton] and me the finished film. Even though we had been involved at every stage from storyboard to final script. the wit, fun and sheer audacity left us speechless.”
The recorded sequence opened at Buckingham Palace, where a tuxedo-wearing Daniel Craig as 007 was presented to the Queen by her personal footman as she was writing a letter and training her corgis Monty, Willow and Holly to roll over.
Greeting him with an “Evening, Mr. Bond”, the Queen, in a rose-pink dress, was seen striding briskly through the palace with the action hero before climbing into a helicopter emblazoned with the Union Flag.
The two were depicted as soaring over the streets of London and through Tower Bridge until they finally reached the Olympic Park.
As the film reached its climax, spectators inside the east London stadium heard an AgustaWestland AW139 helicopter, which finally appeared hovering above.
As the aircraft steadied in the movie sequence, Bond was seen opening the door and appearing to hesitate. While he dithered, the figure of the Queen pushed past him and dived out into the air followed by 007 – Union Jack parachutes streaming behind them. Meanwhile, from the real helicopter above the stadium, the same two figures appeared to plunge to earth.
And, with the familiar Bond theme tune sounding around the stadium, the spotlight shone on the Royal Box to reveal the Queen in exactly the same dress she wore in the film.
Accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, the Queen entered to rapturous applause with Jacques Rogge, president of the International Olympic Committee.
The Union Flag was then carried into the stadium and raised by representatives of the Royal Navy, Army and RAF.
Director Danny Boyle said: “The Queen made herself more accessible than ever before.”
Nic Brown, BBC Director of UK Drama Production, who produced the sequence, filmed in March, said it had required “a huge amount of planning and resources”.
He said he hoped the result was a film “full of warmth, joy, affection, wit, surprise and excitement and sunshine”.
Organizers said that having to secure permission to fly along the Thames through Tower Bridge – which had never been done before – was a challenge in itself.
The two parachutists who actually leapt from the helicopter last night were Gary Connery, a professional base jumper, and Mark Suttan, a former officer in the Royal Gurkha Rifles.
New movie Skyfall has had the biggest Bond opening weekend of all time, according to figures from film company Sony Pictures.
Skyfall took $31 million following its release on Friday making it the biggest UK opening of 2012 so far and the third biggest UK opening of all time.
However, Skyfall failed to smash the record set by last year’s Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 2.
The final film in the wizard franchise, in 3D, took $35 million in its first weekend.
It is also just behind Toy Story 3, which took $32.5 million in its opening weekend according to Screen Daily, although the animation also benefited from four days of previews.
Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, producers of the 23rd 007 movie, said: “We are absolutely overwhelmed with the reaction to Skyfall this weekend. It is particularly thrilling as the UK is home to James Bond and it being the 50th anniversary year.”
Skyfall has had the biggest Bond opening weekend of all time
James Bond is the longest-running film franchise in history.
Co-starring Dame Judi Dench and Javier Bardem, it opened in 587 cinemas across the UK and Ireland, while US fans will get to see the film from 9 November.
Skyfall marked director Sam Mendes’ Bond debut, but sees Daniel Craig back in the role of the spy for a third time, following the success of Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace.
Daniel Craig has signed up to return as 007 in two more Bond films.
Last week it was revealed in The Hollywood Reporter that one of Skyfall’s co-writers, John Logan, had begun work on a two-part original Bond story, not based on the work of the series’ original author Ian Fleming.
John Logan has previously worked on Martin Scorsese films Hugo and The Aviator and Ridley Scott’s Gladiator.
Daniel Craig has declared the launch of the new Bond film Skyfall as his greatest 007 premiere yet.
James Bond star Daniel Craig, playing the spy for a third time, was the first of the stars to arrive at the Royal Albert Hall for the royal premiere.
“It’s incredible,” said Daniel Craig.
“This is my third premiere and this is the biggest and the best.”
Skyfall is the 23rd official Bond film and marks 50 years of the franchise.
Large crowds of people had turned out to cheer the stars on the red carpet, which stretched along the streets around the venue in Kensington, west London.
The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall attended the screening on Tuesday night, along with stars Dame Judi Dench, Javier Bardem and the film’s director Sam Mendes.
James Bond received the royal seal of approval earlier this year at the Olympics opening ceremony when Daniel Craig’s character appeared in a short film alongside the Queen.
Daniel Craig said he was “incredibly proud” to be playing the hero created by Ian Fleming, who first appeared on the big screen in Dr No in 1962.
“It was the 50th year so we had try and celebrate that,” he said.
“Sam and I are huge Bond fans and we wanted to make the best Bond movie we could, and he’s done a tremendous job.”
Proceeds from the royal gala are going to charities that help members of Britain’s intelligence services.
Skyfall sees spy chief M (Judi Dench) battling a crisis with roots in her past, and Javier Bardem playing a villain bent on revenge.
Daniel Craig and Naomie Harris at the royal world premiere of Skyfall
Javier Bardem said: “Sam Mendes has done something very challenging which is to mix the flavor of the classic Bond movies with something more modern.”
Sam Mendes said: “The weirdest thing is that about two weeks ago I was still finishing the movie with about three other people in a dark room – so the big shock is coming out and finding people about to see the movie.”
Other stars on the red carpet included Ralph Fiennes, who plays a senior government official, Bond girls Naomie Harris and Berenice Marlohe, and Ben Whishaw as the new Q.
Ben Whishaw said: “I’m so thrilled to be a part of this phenomenon.”
Naomie Harris, who plays British agent Eve, said she tried to avoid watching the performances of previous Bond girls as she prepared for the role.
“I didn’t want to be influenced by that. What was much more useful to me was interviewing a former MI6 agent who came along and answered all our questions about what it was like to be a real agent.”
Berenice Marlohe, who plays the mysterious Severine, said on the red carpet: “We filmed the movie a long time ago but suddenly it brings back all the memories, and I feel very moved to be here.”
Barbara Broccoli, who co-produces the Bond films with Michael G. Wilson, said Skyfall was “classic Bond but with a contemporary feel”.
She added: “We wanted to make a film for the 50th anniversary for the fans and we wanted to make the best Bond ever – we tried real hard so I hope the audiences like at as much as we enjoyed making it.”
Skyfall has been praised by critics, with some indeed hailing it as the ultimate Bond adventure.
The Independent’s Geoffrey McNab said: “If not a full-blown triumph, this is certainly one of the best Bonds in recent memory.”
The Times’ Kate Muir called it “a great British bulldog of a movie”.
All eyes will be on the box office after the film opens on Friday to see if Skyfall can top Daniel Craig’s other outings as the secret agent.
2008’s Quantum of Solace made $586.1 million worldwide, while Casino Royale (2006) made $594.2 million.
Trailer of the latest James Bond film, Skyfall, has given fans their first glimpse of Oscar-winning actor Javier Bardem’s blond villain in action.
Javier Bardem’s character, named Silva, is seen confronting a manacled James Bond, played by Daniel Craig, and is later shown disguised as a British policeman.
The trailer features actor Ben Whishaw as “The New Q” and explosive action in various London locales.
It also shows James Bond being “killed” in action and M typing up his obituary.
Played by Dame Judi Dench, 007’s boss is then seen being chastised by Ralph Fiennes’ character Gareth Mallory for losing a disc drive containing details of undercover British agents.
Subsequent scenes depict an explosion at MI6’s Thameside HQ and a Tube train plummeting into an underground vault.
The trailer reveals previously unknown plot points, one of which appears to have been drawn from Ian Fleming’s novel You Only Live Twice.
Trailer of the latest James Bond film, Skyfall, has given fans their first glimpse of Oscar-winning actor Javier Bardem's blond villain in action
The 1964 book concludes with an obituary for James Bond written by M after the secret agent is believed to have been killed during a mission in Japan.
The latest trailer comes shortly after Daniel Craig’s cameo appearance during the Olympic Opening Ceremony in a short film that showed Bond escorting the Queen to the Olympic Stadium.
Audiences in the US were treated to a teaser of the new footage during NBC’s telecast of the London 2012 launch.
Other scenes unveiled on Tuesday include one showing British actress Naomie Harris, in her role as field agent Eve, “shooting” James Bond off the roof of a moving train in Turkey.
Skyfall marks Daniel Craig’s third big-screen appearance as Ian Fleming’s legendary spy.
Daniel Craig, 44, was previously seen in the role in 2006’s Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace in 2008.
Spanish actor Javier Bardem, 43, won the best supporting actor Oscar in 2008 for his villainous role in No Country for Old Men.
Javier Bardem, who is married to fellow Spaniard Penelope Cruz, was also Oscar-nominated in 2001 and 2011.
Last night, at the Olympic Opening Ceremony, Queen Elizabeth II appeared in her first movie acting role and proved herself an instant comedy hit.
Her Majesty was seen in a film alongside James Bond actor Daniel Craig before apparently “parachuting” into the stadium for the opening ceremony.
The recorded sequence opened at Buckingham Palace, where a tuxedo-wearing Daniel Craig as 007 was presented to the Queen by her personal footman as she was writing a letter and training her corgis Monty, Willow and Holly to roll over.
Greeting him with an “Evening, Mr. Bond”, the Queen, in a rose-pink dress, was seen striding briskly through the palace with the action hero before climbing into a helicopter emblazoned with the Union Flag.
Queen Elizabeth II appeared in her first movie acting role and proved herself an instant comedy hit
The two were depicted as soaring over the streets of London and through Tower Bridge until they finally reached the Olympic Park.
As the film reached its climax, spectators inside the east London stadium heard an Agusta Westland AW139 helicopter, which finally appeared hovering above.
As the aircraft steadied in the movie sequence, James Bond was seen opening the door and appearing to hesitate. While he dithered, the figure of the Queen pushed past him and dived out into the air followed by 007 – Union Jack parachutes streaming behind them. Meanwhile, from the real helicopter above the stadium, the same two figures appeared to plunge to earth.
And, with the familiar Bond theme tune sounding around the stadium, the spotlight shone on the Royal Box to reveal the Queen in exactly the same dress she wore in the film.
Accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, she entered to rapturous applause with Jacques Rogge, president of the International Olympic Committee.
The Union Flag was then carried into the stadium and raised by representatives of the Royal Navy, Army and RAF.
Director Danny Boyle said: “The Queen made herself more accessible than ever before.”
Organizers said that having to secure permission to fly along the Thames through Tower Bridge – which had never been done before – was a challenge in itself.
The two parachutists who actually leapt from the helicopter last night were Gary Connery, a professional base jumper, and Mark Suttan, a former officer in the Royal Gurkha Rifles.
Kardashian family makes millions from living their lives in the public eye on their reality television shows, but Daniel Craig is one person who is less than impressed by them.
The James Bond star launched an astonishing foul-mouthed rant at the brood, headed by Kim Kardashian, in a new interview in the January edition of GQ magazine.
Daniel Craig labeled the Kardashians “f***ing idiots” and criticized those who “sell” themselves and then make demands about their private lives.
Daniel Craig, 43, who managed to keep his marriage to Rachel Weisz under wraps in the summer, told GQ magazine: “I think there’s a lot to be said for keeping your own counsel.
“It’s not about being afraid to be public with your emotions or about who you are and what you stand for. But if you sell it off it’s gone.
“You can’t buy it back – you can’t buy your privacy back. Ooh I want to be alone. F*** you. We’ve been in your living room. We were at your birth. You filmed it for us and showed us the placenta and now you want some privacy?
Referring to the Kardashians, Daniel Craig said: “Look at the Kardashians, they’re worth millions. I don’t think they were that badly off to begin with but now look at them.
“You see that and you think <<what, you mean all I have to do is behave like a f***ing idiot on television and then you’ll pay me millions>>.
“I’m not judging it – well, I am obviously.”
Daniel Craig launched an astonishing foul-mouthed rant at the brood, headed by Kim Kardashian, in a new interview in the January edition of GQ magazine
Daniel Craig also spoke about his wedding to Rachel Weisz, and said that while they managed to keep it out of the spotlight, he doesn’t feel victorious about the matter.
“We got away with it. We did it privately and I’ve got a lot of people to thank for that. But that was the point, we did it for private reasons.
“Because we didn’t want it f*****d up, because that would be sharing a secret. And the whole point is that it was a secret. A secret is a secret in my mind.”
Refusing to go into any details about the ceremony, Daniel Craig said: “Look, I’m in love. I’m very happy. And that is as far as I’m prepared to go. Life is long, life goes wrong and I don’t want to say something now that might be thrown back later.”
Daniel Craig, who is now working on the 23rd Bond film, Skyfall, can soon be seen in the English language remake of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo.
But the actor says despite his lengthy and successful career, he is still not happy with how things stand.
Daniel Craig said: “I’m definitely not satisfied about my career. I don’t know how you can be, it’s the very nature of things.
“I’m always trying to figure it out, and I’m kind of unsatisfied constantly. I always want to get it right and I don’t know what the answer to it is.
“But I do know that it’s out there and I do know it’s worth looking for.”
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