We’ve been away on a bit of a summer hiatus as official Bond news has been thin on the ground in recent months. That is, until this week! There are a lot of developments to unpack as the nights start to get shorter.
Cypher 007
Out of nowhere, Cypher 007 was announced as a new game for Apple Arcade and you won’t have to wait long as it will hit the platform on September 29th. With no official actor in the role at the moment, the game uses a hybrid 007 (a cross between Connery and Moore by the early screenshots). A synthetic Bond has been used before in games like ‘Agent Under Fire’ and ‘GoldenEye Rogue Agent.’
The isometric point-and-click game is a fresh approach to the franchise’s digital adventures and, as the content is drawn from a variety of eras, the illustrative styling creates a new universe for Little Nellie to co-exist with Jaws and Raul Silva. There are no announced plans to bring it to any platform other than Apple Arcade, which means you will have to subscribe to the service to play. The problem with subscription games is that when the service is inevitably pulled down, the content is lost forever. If that is not your jam, you will have to hold tight for at least another year, possibly two, for ‘Project 007’ from IO Interactive on Playstation, Xbox, and PC.
Arnold In Concert
Acclaimed composer David Arnold, whose credits include five Bond films, is bringing personal song highlights and fan favourites from his prolific career to the stage with a stripped back performance never seen before.
Swapping out his usual orchestra for a 6 piece band, this is an exclusive chance to hear David sing the incredible songs from his esteemed catalogue including The World is Not Enough and You Know My Name in a close and personal setting. Tickets go on sale on Friday from 10am.
Fresh Covers
IFP unveiled three new designs for James Bond titles that have been out of print: 'Colonel Sun' by Kingsley Amis, 'James Bond The Authorised Biography' by John Pearson, and 'Zero Minus Ten' by Raymond Benson. All three will come with new introductions.
4K In Japan
Fans in Japan will be treated to big screen re-releases of 10 Bond films in stunning restoed 4K. The films will be released as 5 movie ‘roadshow revival’ marathons across two different days.
First on Friday 22nd September comes GoldenEye, You Only Live Twice, The Spy Who Loved Me, From Russia With Love, and On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. Then on Friday 17th November will be Dr. No, Thunderball, The Living Daylights, Skyfall, and No Time To Die. Tickets are on sale now.
Happy Birthday
Many happy returns of the day to George Lazenby who turned 84 yesterday. The lamppost made famous by the Antipodean 007 has recently been restored on the south bank of the River Thames, London.
Casino Royale @ 70
Bond Stars (in association with Ian Fleming Publications) will be hosting a special celebration event at Pinewood Studios on October 29th to mark the 70th anniversary of the James Bond literary series. The program includes a screening of the original 1954 version of Casino Royale, plus an exclusive and never-before-seen filmed interview with Jimmy Bond himself, actor Barry Nelson discussing the production. Ian Fleming biographer Andrew Lycett will discuss all things Ian Fleming and a panel of continuation authors including Raymond Benson, Charlie Higson, Kim Sherwood, and Steve Cole will debate their literary journeys with Bond.
Tickets are available via Bond Stars.
Live And Let Diary
Roger Moore’s day-by-day account of making his first adventure Live And Let Die was (and still is) an unprecedented and unfiltered look into the machinery that makes the Bond films. Long out of print until the actor’s passing, when a paperback re-release was published, now a special limited edition has been crafted by The History Press.
Limited to just 350 copies worldwide, this beautiful edition of the diary is available to mark the 50th anniversary of the film.
Exit Through The Gift Shop
Speaking of Live And Let Die’s 50th anniversary, it is also the focus of the latest issue of MI6 Confidential magazine. #69 is the second issue of the year and is available to purchase now worldwide. This issue we revisit the 1973 production, looking back at how the film was made and marketed, with the reproduction of intriguing contemporary features and our own exhaustive production history. We also caught up with Director Matthew Bauer about the documentary, The Other Fellow, and learned about some thrilling European experiences now on offer from EON Productions and travel partner, Black Tomato.
Of course, if you have subscribed to the 2023 season of the magazine, you will have already received it. Want to join in? It’s not too late. In fact, this is a great time as you will receive issues #68 and #69 immediately, and be amongst the first to receive our annual 100-page special publication alongside issue #70 (and get #71 in time for the Holidays, too). This year’s special is an unmissiable treasure trove of never before seen Bond content…
More Bond
In need of some daily 007? Check out our other outlets: