James Bond "Skyfall" Discussion

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While James Bond fans patiently await the release of an official trailer for this year’s 23rd installment in the iconic secret agent franchise (titled Skyfall), they have a new behind-the-scenes video blog to both help pass the time and tease actor Daniel Craig’s third lap around as the new iteration of 007.

Skyfall‘s Oscar-winning helmer Sam Mendes (American Beauty, Road to Perdition) is the focus of this clip, which is mostly composed of an interview with the filmmaker expressing his interest in and longtime adoration of the Bond series – along with brief glimpses of scenes from the actual movie – including, the sequence where Bond infiltrates Shanghai, as teased in the first official Skyfall still.

This Skyfall production clip is somewhat underwhelming when compared to the highly informative production diary videos that Peter Jackson has been posting for The Hobbit. Not that it matters, seeing how anticipation for the new Bond adventure is already sky-high (no pun) thanks in part to the extended delay between installments resulting from MGM’s bankruptcy drama.

If there’s anything especially interesting to note from this video, it’s Mendes’ comment about fashioning Skyfall as “a big fabulous escapist movie†that still reflects thoughtfully about the contemporary world. Mendes’ involvement with the film has long prompted rumors about Skyfall being an “artsy†Bond flick that tones down the action set pieces, but the filmmaker makes it pretty apparent here: that’s not actually the plan.

As for all those Skyfall mysteries about Ralph Fiennes’ character, how Naomie Harrris as Agent Eve fits into the storyline, and just who the villain being played by Oscar-winner Javier Bardem (No Country for Old Men) is? Well, it looks like it’s best to not expect much more official insight into those matters until the actual film is released.

Skyfall will hit theaters in the U.S. on November 9th, 2012.

I can't wait for this to come out. Love me some 007.

 

[Wangman Page]

The new James Bond film, Skyfall, will be headed to IMAX. It will be the first film in the franchise to go IMAX and will be release simultaneously with the film’s November 9th release date (October 26th internationally). It should be noted that Skyfall is not being shot in IMAX. It’s being blown up to meet the larger screen size. The trade-off is that while Bond gets bigger, he also gets more pixilated (at least in the movies I’ve seen; other people don’t see this problem).

In other IMAX news, THR reports that IMAX plans to be part of more early release windows like they were with Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol. However, there’s no word on whether or not Skyfall will be one of those early releases. Hit the jump for the press release regarding Bond’s move to the really, really big screen.

james-bond-skyfall-movie-image-daniel-craig-01-imaxHere’s the press release:

IMAX Corporation, Albert R. Broccoli’s EON Productions, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, and Sony Pictures Entertainment today announced that the long-awaited next chapter in the famed James Bond franchise, SKYFALL, will be released in IMAX® theatres simultaneously with the film’s international release on Oct. 26, and its domestic release on Nov. 9, 2012. This is the first IMAX installment of the iconic Bond film franchise.

In SKYFALL, Bond’s loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.

SKYFALL marks the return of Daniel Craig as Ian Fleming’s James Bond 007, as well as Judi Dench reprising her role as M. The film also stars franchise newcomers Ralph Fiennes, Javier Bardem and Naomie Harris. The film is directed by Sam Mendes from a screenplay written by Neal Purvis & Robert Wade and John Logan. Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli are producers.

“SKYFALL will be the cool, must-see event release of the fall, and releasing the film in IMAX only reinforces that,” said Rory Bruer, President, Worldwide Distribution for Sony Pictures Worldwide Marketing and Distribution.

“It is fitting that with SKYFALL marking the 50th Anniversary of the James Bond franchise, we celebrate in epic style and what could be more larger-than-life than IMAX joining the festivities,” said Gary Barber and Roger Birnbaum, Co-Chairman and Chief Executive Officers of MGM.

“It is an honor and a privilege to be a part of this legendary franchise, whose iconic characters and electrifying action will only be amplified in the IMAX format,” said Greg Foster, Chairman and President, IMAX Filmed Entertainment. “We are excited to rejoin forces with our friends at Sony Pictures Entertainment and MGM and so pleased to work with Michael G. Wilson, Barbara Broccoli, and Sam Mendes to bring their vision to IMAX and Bond fans around the world.”

The IMAX release of SKYFALL will be digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience® with proprietary IMAX DMR® (Digital Re-mastering) technology. The crystal-clear images coupled with IMAX’s customized theatre geometry and powerful digital audio create a unique environment that will make audiences feel as if they are in the movie.

More info on the movie.