How is your Bond fandom doing?
For those of us in to the literary wing, 2022 is a bumper year with Horowitz’s ‘With A Mind To Kill’ out now, and Kim Sherwood’s first entry in her MI6 trilogy - ‘Double Or Nothing’ - published in September.
But the 60th anniversary of the film series has not offered up much yet. All we know for sure is that there will be another auction of official props and materials for charity in October, much like there was for the 50th. The re-release of all the films back on the big screen on a weekly basis has been great, but limited to only fans in the UK, and those near a cinema that’s taking part. We’ve heard from many of you Stateside (and further afield) asking why this wasn’t a global roll out. Park Circus are the UK distriubutor handling releases of back-catalog films, and they don’t really have a counterpart in the US. This despite multiplexes in the US seeing success putting older films back on the big screen - a trend that survived the pandemic when there were few new releases. They may get squeezed out again with a glut of blockbusters. Amazon Prime in the US have just launched all the films in 4K on the service, so there is a small consolation at least. It does feel like a missed opportunity though to engage the fan base, and possibly recruit some new blood too.
With little movement expected in the film series for a year or two at least, how are you keeping yourself occupied with all things 007?
News
James Bond was represented not once, but twice, at Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee over the weekend. First up, Daniel Craig provided a pre-recorded tribute to Her Majesty as part of the Party at the Palace on Saturday, and secondly, a group of selected vehicles from the films formed part of Act II in the Platinum Jubilee Parade on Sunday. Sandwiched between half a dozen Daleks and a sparkly dance troupe, the Bond vehicles were driven by series stunt & VFX veterans including Vic Armstrong, Chris Corbould, Gary Powell, and Mark Higgins.
Leaks first emerged of another possible GoldenEye 007 release back in January this year, when achievements were spotted on official Microsoft Xbox servers. A release announcement was expected in March, but we understand that the Russian invasion of Ukraine shelved plans, given the heavy presence of Russians in the game. With new leaks appearing over the weekend, and Microsoft holding a major Xbox event on June 14th (in the absence of E3 this year), we could be just days away from an announcement.
The first preview spreads from the upcoming book Being Bond (A Daniel Craig Retrospective) our out via publisher Titan Books and the first impression is… don’t hold your breath for new photos. All the stills used in the previews so far are very common shots of his films that have been used again and again. It’s out in September.
Listen
Roger Moore’s debut as 007 is back in UK cinemas this week, so the James Bond & Friends podcast tracked down Phil Nobile Jr, Ben Williams, and Sean Longmore to discuss the iconic elements (as well as some lesser-known bits) of Live And Let Die… What was the evidence Roger saw of the JFK assassination? What did he think of the racist chit-chat in the South? How many different bathrobes did he get through?
Watch
YouTuber extraordinaire and James Bond & Friends regular Calvin Dyson is working his way through the John Gardner series of continuation novels. It can be a bit of a mixed run, but Nobody Lives Forever is frequently tipped as one of the better outings. This week, Calvin gives us his take on the fifth in the Gardner series. We can’t wait to hear what he thinks of Operation Cup Cake next time…
MI6 Archives
Make-Up wizard Rick Baker, who won the first-ever Oscar for that category, did uncredited work on Live And Let Die, including Baron Samedi’s exploding head. He used painted latex and glass eyes for a realistic effect, incorporating animatronics for the gunshot aftermath. Actor Geoffrey Holder, who played Samedi, came into possession of the model and, after his passing, his estate auctioned it last year. It sold for $35,312.
Exit Through The Gift Shop
Our friend Edward Biddulph is back with another book and it’s a cracker: Double-O Dining. The book contains over 100 easy-to-follow, meticulously researched recipes that draw on vintage cookbooks, old newspaper food columns, and other historical sources to allow readers to become gastronomic globetrotters and recreate and experience the flavours enjoyed by Bond on the big screen. You can order your copy now from Amazon UK or Amazon US.
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It is a pity the director and Daniel Craig did not understand the movie going audience.......at all. Just watched "Top Gun--Maverick".......the opposite experience of "No Time to Die"........Craig was at his best in Casino Royale and then went steadily downhill......as did the chick that was in charge......bring back the Ian Fleming Bond.....who is a naturally born male by the way.....