Production is finally underway on the 23rd James Bond film, Skyfall. Sam Mendes steps behind the director’s chair this time around, and recently legendary Bond producer Michael G. Wilson talked a bit about the film. Wilson says that his hope is for Daniel Craig to surpass Roger Moore’s record of playing James Bond seven times, adding “There’s really no one more passionate about making these films work than him – he’s a film maker’s dream.” To pass Moore’s record, Craig would have to appear in five more Bond films in order to bring the tally up to eight. I’m a fan of Craig as Bond and I see no reason why the 43-year-old actor couldn’t stick around for a few more years.

Hit the jump to see what else Wilson had to say about Skyfall, including its similarity to Goldfinger.

Empire, just about the best movie magazine you can find, has released their 2012 preview and with that comes a batch of new images from some highly anticipated movies. The center-piece of the issues appears to be Marc Webb’s Spider-Man reboot The Amazing Spider-Man. It includes new images of Andrew Garfield as Spidey, as well as looks at Emma Stone as Gwen Stacy and Rhys Ifans as the villainous Lizard. The issue also brings us new looks at The Avengers (featuring the Thor-Captain America street battle that was capture from every angle by set videos), Dredd, The Hobbit, Ridley Scott’s Prometheus, the new James Bond film Skyfall, and Snow White and the Huntsman. Hit the jump to check out the images.

With The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo opening in less than a month, soon we’ll be turning our attention to Daniel Craig’s next project, Skyfall, aka James Bond 23. While we don’t much to show you other than Craig looking a little haggard but dapper as always, you can be sure that more set photos will pop up between now and the film’s November 9^th release. Filming in London’s Trafalgar Square this past weekend, Craig was willing to provide as much information on the film as these pictures show (that is to say, next to nothing), but director Sam Mendes (Away We Go) was a little more candid. Hit the jump to check out the photos.

The cast for James Bond 23 just keeps getting better and better. Director Sam Mendes has tapped another fantastic actor for the next installment of the invincible franchise (which may or may not be titled Skyfall). Baz Bamigboye (via The Playlist) reports that Albert Finney is the latest addition to the cast. His role is apparently quite a big one, and he’ll play “a Foreign Office mandarin with powers over the Secret Intelligence Service.” The stellar cast includes Daniel Craig returning as Bond, Javier Bardem as the villain, Dame Judi Dench as M, Naomie Harris as Moneypenny, and Ralph Fiennes in a top secret role. Ben Whishaw, Helen McCroy, and Berenice Marlohe are also poised to appear. Plot details for the film are under wraps, but Mendes has put together one of the best Bond ensembles in a long while, so I’m looking forward to seeing what he has in store. The film opens November 9th, 2012.

Production on James Bond 23 (tentative title) continues to ramp up with the film’s release date slightly over a year away.  The new film has its villain (Javier Bardem), mysterious figure (Ralph Fiennes), and Miss Moneypenny (Naomie Harris).  It now also has the location for where director Sam Mendes will shot the film’s opening scenes.  MI6-HQ.com reports that producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli met with officials in Istanbul (not Constantinople), Turkey to finalize plans to shoot in the city.  Istanbul (not Constantinople) has played host to the Bond films before with From Russia with Love and The World Is Not Enough, although it’s unknown whether the city will serve as itself or as a substitute for another locale.  MI6-HQ also reports that the production is currently casting for a Turkish actress to play villain’s girlfriend.  Principal photography begins in November.

Hit the jump for a new rumor surrounding who will play Bond’s next gal.  The 23rd James Bond film is set for November 9, 2012.

There are a few things we already know about the 23rd James Bond film. For starters, we know that Oscar-winner Sam Mendes will direct the film which is currently set to open in the U.K. on October 26th and the U.S. on November 9th. We also have a pretty good feel for the cast which already includes Daniel Craig and Judi Dench reprising their roles as 007 and M respectively as well as Javier Bardem (making a turn as the unspecified villain), Ralph Fiennes (as a character of “extreme complexity“), and potentially Naomie Harris as Ms. Moneypenny.

With all of this info in mind, those concerned for the film’s immediate fate following MGM’s, um, money problems should be all but put to rest. That said, there’s still some aspects that inquiring minds would like to know such as “What’s the official title?” and “What’s it about?”. Hit the jump for a report that claims to answer both.

A couple weeks ago, we reported that Bond 23 had found its Miss Moneypenny in Naomie Harris and that the 28 Days Later actress would be joining a cast that includes Daniel Craig, Judi Dench, Ralph Fiennes, and Javier Bardem.  Now another solid acting talent has signed on as The Telegraph [via Bleeding Cool] reports that Rhys Ifans will co-star.  There’s no word on who Ifans will play, but know that Bardem is playing the villain and that Fiennes is playing a “complex” character.   Director Sam Mendes hired playwright Patrick Marber (Closer) to handle the script.

Bond is another big get for Ifans who has gone from reliable character actor to nabbing major roles in the last year.  He’ll be starring in Roland Emmerich’s Shakespeare drama Anonymous, he’s co-starring in the comedy Five Year Engagement, and he’s playing baddie The Lizard in The Amazing Spider-Man.  The untitled 23rd James Bond film is due out November 9, 2012.

After a forced delay due to MGM’s financial implosion, the 23rd James Bond film is finally gaining some traction.  The Daily Mail reports that Naomie Harris (28 Days Later) is in final negotiations to play Ms. Moneypenny, a character who has been absent from the franchise ever since it was re-launched with Daniel Craig as 007.  The Mail also confirms that Javier Bardem will co-star with Craig, Judi Dench, and Ralph Fiennes.  Bardem was previously tipped for the villain role while Fiennes is playing a character “of extreme complexity” according to director Sam Mendes.

Hit the jump for my thoughts on Moneypenny returning to the series.  James Bond 23 is set to open on November 9, 2012.

Back in February it was reported that MGM was close to settling a deal with Sony to distribute some of their films. Well, now Sony and MGM have officially reached an agreement for Bond 23 as well as Bond 24. Sony will co-finance and theatrically market and distribute Bond 23 worldwide, and the press release announces that Sony and MGM “look forward to Sony Pictures co-financing and distributing Bond 24 on a similar basis.” All-in-all, good news for James Bond fans.

Bond 23 is set to be directed by Sam Mendes, with Daniel Craig returning as Bond. Javier Bardem and Ralph Fiennes have both been in talks with producers about taking on two separate roles, with Bardem being offered the villain. The press release also mentions that Sony and MGM will be partnering up on other films besides the Bond series for the next five years. Hopefully this includes the Joss Whedon-scripted Cabin in the Woods and the Red Dawn remake, both of which were filmed over a year ago. Hit the jump to read the full press release.

MGM, the home studio of James Bond, has been in financial limbo for what seems like forever.  After dumping rights to The Hobbit to Warner Brothers, and continuing lengthy discussions on the fate of the Bond franchise, MGM looked to be on its last legs.  But according to Variety, the long-standing studio is finally ready to get moving on no less than five different projects.

In addition to long-rumored reboots of Robocop and Poltergeist, the studio is reportedly financing or co-financing remakes of 1980s classics Mr. Mom and The Idolmaker.  MGM is also looking to produce “A ‘Hercules’ project.”  My fingers are crossed that Kevin Sorbo will be involved.  The studio also just recently joined up with Paramount to co-produce the 3D-shot Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters which stars Oscar-nominee Jeremy Renner and the very attractive Gemma Arterton as the witch killin’ siblings.  The story takes place 15 years after the familiar fairy tale.  Hit the jump for more on MGM and my thoughts on their post-resurrection projects.

One of my favorite cinematographers is Roger Deakins.  If you look over his amazing resume, you’ll see he’s shot so many memorable films, you’d be hard pressed to have not seen at least a few of them.  Some of the standouts include The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, No Country for Old Men, The Big Lebowski, The Shawshank Redemption, and True Grit. As you may have noticed by the titles I just listed, Deakins has a very close relationship with the Coen Brothers, as he shoots most of their movies.

The other day I got to do an exclusive phone interview with Deakins and we talked about a wide range of subjects: what kinds of cameras and lenses he likes to use, his relationship with the Coen brothers and how they work together, making True Grit, digital vs. film, his next movie Now which he shot digitally with the Arriflex Alexa (his first time using digital), his relationship with DreamWorks and his involvement on How to Train Your Dragon and the upcoming sequel, 3D, and when I asked him about what’s coming up next, he said, “I’ll probably do a film with Sam Mendes next.”  When I asked him if that meant he was shooting Bond 23, he said, “it might, yeah.”

If you’re interested in cinematography, or just a fan of Deakins work, hit the jump to either read or listen to our conversation:

The coverage of the MGM financial woes has generally focused on Bond 23 and The Hobbit due to their Major Property status.  But that status meant that their eventuality was never really in doubt so much as the timing.  Sure enough, Warner Bros. will partner with MGM to distribute The Hobbit, and MGM is close to formalizing a similar deal with Sony Pictures that, yes, includes Bond 23.  However, I’m more interested in two different titles that are likely to be included in the Sony/MGM deal: Red Dawn and Cabin in the Woods.

Both films are in the can, but there is doubt either would ever see the light of day after prolonged delays.  I dislike that hypothetical.  The Red Dawn remake intrigues with the promise of cashing in on the cheese of the 1980s original with a notable young cast — Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Adrianne Palicki (Friday Night Lights), Josh Hutcherson (The Kids Are All Right).  But the true loss would be Cabin in the Woods, the directorial debut of writer Drew Goddard (Cloverfield) which he co-wrote with his Buffy the Vampire Slayer boss Joss Whedon.  I’m not even much of a horror buff, but I need to see this one.  Hit the jump for more on the potential deal.

At this stage, only franchise star Daniel Craig and Judi Dench are confirmed to return for Bond 23, with Sam Mendes (Away We Go) directing.  The casting process kicked into the next gear earlier this week, though, when Javier Bardem spoke out about possibly playing the villain.  In keeping the discussion among Oscar nominees, the producers are in early talks with Ralph Fiennes to play a role.

Mendes and Fiennes are old friends, ever since the actor starred in the director’s stage production of Troilus And Cressida more than two ­decades ago.  Fiennes is intrigued by the “darkly complex role,” which is reportedly different from the one that was offered to Bardem.  Details after the break:

On Sunday, we reported that Javier Bardem had been offered a role in Sam Mendes upcoming James Bond film.  At the time, we speculated that Bardem was being offered the part of the villain.  Bardem now confirms that he has been offered the role of Bond’s antagonist but he wants to read the screenplay before he signs on.  Bardem tells the LA Times, “I’m a huge fan of the James Bond saga.  When I was little, I went watching Mr. Connery doing James Bond with my father. Who in the world would think I’d be in one of those movies.”

Hit the jump for what Mendes told Bardem about the role when they met.

It’s turning out to be a not-so-quiet Sunday. Earlier today, the new Superman was announced, and now it seems that Javier Bardem may be taking on a major role in the next James Bond film. Apparently, Bardem has been offered a starring role in the back-on-track Bond 23 (tentative title, of course). Given that the other lead male role in most Bond films other than Bond himself is a villain, one would assume that Bardem would be portraying a baddie. However, Deadline’s report on the matter has no confirmation on the role he’s been offered at this time, as plot details are being kept under wraps. Just recently, MGM finally got their financing troubles together, putting both The Hobbit and Bond 23 back in commission. Hit the jump for more on Bardem in Bond.