SNEAK PEEK
Director Martin Campbell has announced that the central villain of the upcoming James Bond 21, "Casino Royale" is now officially cast, with the character of 'Le Chiffre' to be played by actor Mads Mikkelsen.
The 40 year-old Mikkelsen is noted for his role as 'Tristan' in "King Arthur" (2004).
Also at today's late afternoon press conference at the Czech Republic's Barrandov Studios,
Campbell said the new Bond girl casting is down to "two or three" and "you'll just have to wait to find out."
Actresses Eva Green and Olivia Wilde are considered finalists.
New Bond Daniel Craig assured reporters that although the $100 million-plus Sony feature is already shooting without a love interest, "We haven't got there so it's all fine."
Dame Judy Dench, who plays the charcter of 'M', said her work with Craig on the Prague shoot usually begins with a few jokes, "and that seems to be vital. I only started working with Daniel yesterday, but we found common ground."
Audiences will learn more about M's back story, with a scene set in her London apartment, constructed in modernist beige by Barrandov with Asian art and Tanqueray gin cocktail service.
Campbell said Bond will show his more 'sensitive' side and reveal "the Bond we all know and love."
Cast and crew will soon re-locate to the Bahamas to shoot a chase sequence at a seaside construction site, then back to Prague, Italy and UK's Pinewood Studios.
Produced by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli of Eon Productions and directed by Martin "GoldenEye" Campbell, "Casino Royale" is scheduled for release November 17, 2006.
Principal photography started January 30th 2006.
This will be actor Daniel "Road To Perdition" Craig’s first outing as James Bond, the sixth actor to play '007' in the Eon film franchise.
