Countdown to "Casino Royale"

Countdown to “Casino Royale”

The latest James Bond adventure is set to hit theaters on November 17^th. What are some tidbits you might want to know before seeing this 007 flick?

Full Circle

“Casino Royale” was the first Bond novel written by the character’s creator, Ian Fleming (1908-1964). Fleming spent two years on the book before finally completing it in 1952. However, it is the last of Fleming’s Bond novels to be produced by EON Productions.

Déjà Vu

Two versions of “Casino Royale” have made it to film. The first was a 1954 TV version for an episode of the show “Climax”. Bond was portrayed by Barry Nelson while his nemesis, Le Chiffre, was played by Peter Lorre. In 1967, a spoof of “Casino Royale” was made starring Peter Sellers as (one of) 007. Former Bond girl Ursula Andress co-starred as Vesper Lynd while Le Chiffre was portrayed by Orson Welles.

Familiar Faces

“Casino Royale” will only have one familiar face from previous films. Judi Dench will reprise her role as “M” in the movie. She appeared in the last four Bond flicks as 007’s strict boss.

Friendly Returns

Felix Leiter has long been a Bond ally. Rik Van Nutter starred as Felix in “Thunderball” (1965) and Norman Burton portrayed him in “Diamonds are Forever” (1971). David Hedison took over the role in “Live and Let Die” (1973) and again in “Licence to Kill” (1989) when we last saw Felix on the silver screen. The character returns in “Casino Royale”, this time played by actor Jeffrey Wright (“Syriana”, “Ali”).

Adventure 2006

The 2006 version of “Casino Royale” follows a recently promoted Bond (Daniel Craig) on his first mission as a “double 0”. His mission takes him from Madagascar where he’s tracking Mollaka (Sebastien Foucan), to the Bahamas where he meets the unsavory Alex Dimitrios (Simon Abkarian) and Solange (Caterina Murino) and eventually to Montenegro in an attempt to stop Le Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen), a banker with terrorist connections. Le Chiffre, it seems, has a stake in a gambling tournament that he must win at all costs. Backed by MI6 and accompanied by fellow agent Vesper Lynd (Eva Green), Bond tries to thwart his plans by entering the tournament.

What’s Next For Bond?

Although the movie is untitled, there are already plans underway for the next Bond venture in 2008.

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