Whatever Happened to Adam Croasdell?

This time last year Activision made news by casting a new young actor as James Bond.

Walford star becomes Bond for new game

EastEnders actor Adam Croasdell has taken on the role of James Bond for the latest 007 video game.
The soap star, who plays Walford's Dr Al Jenkins, revealed that he was thrilled to be offered the part because he is keen to keep his career varied.


In an interview with BBC Asian Network, Crosdell confirmed: "Oddly enough I have just played James Bond in the new James Bond video game - how weird is that? I don't know what the future holds, but I'm always into varying up what comes my way, trying new things."

He continued: "I think video games and the making of that type of technology, being in a funny one-piece suit and being shot with 60 cameras, I think that's sort of the future.

"Andy Serkis did it in The Hobbit, and there's a new film Avatar which is James Cameron - it's all that sort of motion capture. I think it's the future, so I was fascinated to see how that would happen.
"I think in our lifetime it is going to swing very much into the realms of computerised environments and who knows, maybe there will be more of that."


Activision announced plans for the new Bond game in August. It is expected to be released next year.

One year later we have to ask whatever happened to Adam Croasdell? Activision might have changed their mind, although it does seem odd to have hired a new actor to develop the game then scrap all the work after the expenses involved in.

A little disappointing for those of us eager to see Bond return to his roots and had hoped a new actor in the Bloodstone video game might be a step towards that goal. However recasting the role was not completely out of  bounds since Daniel Craig is Barbra Broccolis current choice for all things Bond. Although he is more Vladimir Putin than Sean Connery for our liking, however in Barbra Broccoli's defense love is blind. But never mind that old quarrel; it's water under the bridge. Well almost, if you catch my drift.

On the subject of James Bond Video Games there is one other question we have to ask; What Happened to Pierce Brosnan?

Yes, we know he was shamefully fired by Barbra Broccoli just two short years after success of Die Another Day and last appeared as Bond in the video game James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing (2003). This question concerning new Bond games may seem ignorant if not imprudent, it’s not. The video game that made an indelible mark on the world of James Bond and the video games GoldenEye has been reworked and reissued. However and this time using Daniel Craig’s likeness and voice. It’s OK go ahead and say it

“WTF!”

This is not the first time the Video Game Industry has tired to cash in on the nostalgia of the original Nintendo 64 GoldenEye game (see GoldenEye: Rogue Agent 2004).  However this is beyond the pale. It seems greedy and scandalous for Judy Dench and Daniel Craig to be involved in this travesty when Pierce Brosna and Sean bean were not.

GoldenEye was Peirce Brosnan’s first Bond movie.  Arguably the movie that saved the Bond franchise after the debacle that followed Timothy Dalton’s last outing as Bond License To Kill (1989). Removing Brosnan’s likeness from this new video game of his movie is unforgivable. To replace his image and role with Daniel Craig is an outright insult. 

When a video game entitled From Russia With Love was made Sean Connery’s voice and image was used. What changed? Brosnan seems the obvious choice, why would Daniel Craig a video game fan himself sully his reputation with this atrocity? 

Whatever the answer it appears that the James Bond producers still have ill will and bad blood on their part towards Pierce Brosnan. What an attitude to have toward the man who made them a lot of money and secured the family business for the next two decades.

Daniel Craig’s involvement appears to be motivated by and perhaps limited to the pay day. Sad that one of Craig’s last appearances as James Bond will be forever remembered not a classic game rather as an impudent usurpation. A pity Daniel Craig decided to be involved with this remake of an iconic (Classic) James Bond game. New games created from scratch it is appropriate to use the current actor, but this a clear case of where being faithful to the original should have been strictly followed. Maybe some day Daniel will write a tell all autobiography and we will find out his arm was twisted to be involved with GoldenEye. We can hope so since this is one of the lowest blow a fellow actor can make.

 "Accept no substitutes" wise words when they were first used in promotion of GoldenEye movie and fifteen years later are still words to live by. Hopefully this game will soon fail and be forgotten.  

Honor Blackman slams Craig

One of the best known Bond Girls in the history of the 007 Franchise doesn't care for the Daniel Craig.

HONOR BLACKMAN SLAMS LATEST 007 DANIEL CRAIG

Saturday September 11,2010

AFTER George Lazenby declared he doesn’t care if the Bond franchise ends, former Bond girl Honor Blackman has criticised current 007 actor Daniel Craig.

Honor, 85, who played Pussy Galore alongside Sean Connery in Goldfinger in 1964, doesn’t think original Bond author Ian Fleming would be so keen either.

“I don’t think Fleming would approve,” she tells benhealth magazine. “Bond was someone who could bed a lady then kill her, and then have a cocktail and move on.

But they don’t allow that sort of thing now. It isn’t the character that Ian wrote about. It’s not Bond is all I can say.”

Talk about it at the Classic Bond Forum

Nolan admits he plunders Bond films

Could the once labeled Bond Begins have actually had the creative talent behind Batman Begins bringing Bond's origin story to the big screen?

Maybe.

It appears Christopher Nolan is a big Bond fan, he even admits to drawing some of his inspiration from the classic Bond movies.

Inception gets licence to thrill from Bond films
By David Bentley on Jun 27, 10 08:52 PM
CHRISTOPHER NOLAN says dream-invading sci-fi thriller Inception, which hits UK screens on July 16, is his ultimate homage to the James Bond films.

The movie features a ski chase and other 007-style action sequences, and the director admitted: "This is absolutely my Bond movie.

"I've been plundering from the Bond movies in everything I've done, forever. I grew up loving them and they're just a huge influence on me."

Speaking in Empire magazine, he said: "When you look at being able to construct a scenario that's only bound by your imagination, I think the world of Bond movies is a natural place for your mind to go."

He said Inception was most like George Lazenby's 1969 Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service, which was his favourite in the franchise.

Nolan explained: "It's a hell of a movie, it holds up very well. What I liked about is that we've tried to emulate in this film is there's a tremendous balance in that movie of action and scale and romanticism and tragedy and emotion.

"Of all the Bond films, it's by far the most emotional. There's a love story. And Inception is a kind of love story as well as anything else."

In Nolan's new corporate espionage thriller, Leonard DiCaprio plays Dom Cobb, a spy whose work stealing ideas and information from people's dreams has made him an international fugitive and cost him everything he has ever loved.

But then he is then offered a chance at redemption with a job where he won't extract anything but will instead plant an idea.

Also in the cast are Ken Watanabe, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marion Cotillard, Ellen Page, Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy, Tom Berenger and Michael Caine

Discuss this at the Classic Bond Forum.

The 2006 Casino Royale Set Fire Controversy Continues

We all remember the spectacle of the Pinewood Studios going up in flames in late July 2006. The jokes about Burnt Bond. Well it seems the case is far from settled.

Although with the conclusion of filming re-shoots for Casino Royale the production of the film was not affected by the infamous fire. However it is apparent that production of the movie was directly responsible for the fire.

Subcontractors of subcontractors hired by EON are said to be behind disaster. So far no one is admitting responsibility. The case continues as Pinewood Studios stays steadfast in their quest to recover over $10 million dollars in damages from Royale productions.

By Jonathan Russell
Published: 9:07PM BST 26 Jun 2010

James Bond – lover, drinker, gambler – and now outsourcer. Yup, our favourite spy, the man who has a licence to kill also has a licence to get other people to do his dirty work.

I've written about this before but a battle royal between Casino Royale Productions and Pinewood Studios is coming to a head nicely.

The case involves a fire at the studios, started as oxyacetylene torches were used to dismantle water tanks used in filming Bond flick Casino Royale – which starred Daniel Craig and Eva Green, pictured right – which Pinewood claims caused £8m worth of damage.

Casino Royale is fighting the claim, but not with fountain pen guns and laser beam watches. Instead it is employing the old-fashioned method of getting in the lawyers. "It is denied," the defence papers state, "that this work was actually carried out by Casino Royale. Casino Royale had engaged First Imperial Services to dismantle the set … First Imperial had subcontracted the dismantling … to J Male & Son, who had in turn subcontracted the work to Downton Structures.

"It was Downton that was actually carrying out the cutting work."

So there – no secret ink required for that message. All parties deny wrongdoing. The case continues.

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Martin Campbell has no plans to direct another Bond film

As the old saying goes, "Never say never"

The man behind Bond hits GoldenEye and Casino Royale has had enough of 007 and spy thrillers, at least for the moment. Martin Campbell, who convinced Mel Gibson to come out of self-imposed hibernation for Edge of Darkness, says he is now "excited" about his first superhero movie Green Lantern.

"As of now I have no plans to direct a Bond film. I think I am done with it for now," Campbell told IANS in an e-mail interview from London.

The director, who has worked with both Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig, said "Both brought the essence of James Bond and that is what a filmmaker wants at the end of the day. It would be unfair on my part to compare the two."

About his latest venture, Green Lantern based on the comic book, Campbell said: "This is going to be different from other comic book series because we have made a very different and an original story out of the character..."

Campbell, who is in his 70s, is promoting the big-screen adaptation of his BAFTA award-winning BBC mini-series Edge of Darkness. Having released in the US Jan 29, it is being released in India by PVR Pictures in association with GK Films Production June 25.

Excerpts from the exclusive interview:

Having wielded the megaphone for two Bond films, do we see you directing another one?
First of all it was a delight to work on both the Bond movies and quite an experience to work with both Pierce and Daniel. As of now I have no plan to direct a Bond film. I think I am done with it for now. But then never say never, one doesn't know what one does in future.

Who do you think makes a near perfect Bond, Pierce or Daniel?
Pierce and Daniel both brought the essence of James Bond and that is what a filmmaker wants at the end of the day. It would be unfair on my part to compare the two. The fact that Daniel's both Bond movies were a hit is enough to say he knows his job well.

What about Green Lantern? How different would it be from the comic book series?
Yes, I am doing Green Lantern. I'd never done a superhero movie before. His powers are psychological. They're to do with 'will' and the enemy is the 'fear', as opposed to Superman who sort of runs into a phone box, gets the old spandex on and off he goes.

This is going to be different from other comic book series because we have made a very different and an original story out of the character rather than just taking it from the comic book.

Is it true that Ryan Reynolds is playing the lead?
Yes, Ryan is playing the titular character in it.

Do you think Hollywood is on a comic book adaptation spree?
Yes, a lot of people are making superhero movies, but I'm very excited about my first superhero movie. If I am not wrong, superhero movies have always had a wide audience. Maybe it's just a coincidence that a lot of these movies are being made at the same time.

Coming to Edge of Darkness, how did you zero in on Gibson for the role?
Mel was the only person we had in mind for the role. We didn't have a second choice and I think we were very lucky to get him.

Considering his sabbatical, did Gibson appear rusted in front of the camera?
I certainly think he was a bit worried because after not being in front of a camera for eight years, anyone would be hesitant. He's one of the best actors in the world. The truth is that he's got the weight and we haven't got many of those. And an actor of his calibre can't suddenly forget to act, right? He had done his rehearsals before we started shooting. As soon as the camera got rolling, Mel did what he does best - acting!

Have you ever been to India or watched any Bollywood films?
Well, I think I'll have to chalk something out now (for an India visit). But no plans as of now... I have to do a lot of catching up on movies.

Campbell has reportedly confirmed the possibility of a Green Lantern trilogy.

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Rachel Stevens Wants To Be A Bond Girl -But Not With Current Bond

The former S Club 7 singer is currently working on her new solo album, but would much rather become an actress.

Rachel is currently pregnant with her first child but once she returns to work she has a long list of roles she would like to play. At the top of that list is one of the British spy’s sexy lovers.

“I’d absolutely love to be a Bond girl,” she gushed. “That would be amazing! I think I’ll start spreading that rumour around so that I’m in with a chance. All that action and sexy costumes – it would be so much fun.”

However, if she won the role, the 32-year-old singer would not like to share the screen with current Bond actor Daniel Craig. Instead, she wants to star opposite Leonardo DiCaprio, who she thinks would make an excellent secret agent.

“My James Bond would have to be Leonardo DiCaprio because he’s such a good actor and he’s not bad looking either, which helps,” she told the British edition of OK! magazine.


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Vampire Secret Agents

What do you get when you combine Her Majesty's most famous secret servant and Twilight?
The Answer appears to be "Blood Oath"

A mix of political techno thrills and supernatural action, “Oath” centers on a vampire captured by the U.S. Army just after the Civil War who is forced to swear an oath to President Andrew Johnson and has protected the presidency in the Secret Service for nearly 150 years.

In “Oath,” the vampire, named Nathaniel Cade, is paired with a new human handler and finds himself embroiled in a plot involving a monstrous new form of biological weapon with a connection to the White House.

The deal comes just as the book, from Penguin/Putnam, hits stores Tuesday.

“It always starts with the character for me,” said Foster, the producer behind thrillers “Law Abiding Citizen” and “Mr. and Mrs. Smith.” “Cade has an amazing history, a great attitude and a great set of powers. He is a complete movie figure.”

There is no lack of vampire projects circulating in Hollywood these days, and the idea of a vampire James Bond could easily be seen as too high-concept. But the book has been getting good reviews — it bucks vampire fatigue by focusing on action and bringing in different supernatural creatures — and Foster credits Farnsworth for pulling it off.

Lucas_foster_ “It’s a big idea and it’s an idea that in the wrong hands could have been cheesy,” Foster said. “He did a very good job of making the reader, and me, buy it. It’s the right tone between thriller and improbable fantasy.”

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Daniel Craig Gay Kiss Rumor

The end of May offered a deluge of new reports repeating a National Enquirer story "OH-OH-7!: Daniel Craig's Steamy Gay Kiss ". Similar stories were found previously in the L.A. Times and several independent bloggers.

In the month since these allegation first appeared there has been no official response from Craig's handlers.

From MTV News
"Daniel Craig Gay?
Reports suggest the James Bond actor was caught kissing a man...
16:19, Thursday, 27 May 2010

James Bond star Daniel Craig has reportedly been spotted kissing a 'good-looking guy' in Venice.

According to the National Enquirer, the hunky actor may have been 'outted' as bisexual or even gay as he was allegedly seen with the unidentified man in Roosterfish bar earlier this month.

An onlooker claimed: "It was definitely Daniel Craig, and he was most certainly making out with a guy,"

"Daniel kissed his friend on the lips. It was an open-mouth passionate French kiss. In fact, Daniel held the guy's head in his hands and pull him in for the kiss!"

The witness alleges that as soon as 007 saw that he was being watched, he: "immediately broke away from the guy. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn't have believed it."

Another source also reportedly saw Craig and his friend stating: "When Daniel and his friend walked in, they looked like any other upscale gay couple checking out the scene. He rubbed Daniel's leg and shoulder while they talked, and Daniel didn't seem to mind."

They continued: "At first, I thought Daniel may have come in with his gay friend to check out the live music. But when they started dancing together, I though, 'This is more than just two friends out for drinks.'"

Craig's reps have not yet responded to the allegations."

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Tomorrow Just Died for James Bond

MGM announced Monday that the 23rd 007 film is nothing but a pipe dream right now, thanks to the studio's shaky financial situation.

"Due to the continuing uncertainty surrounding the future of MGM and the failure to close a sale of the studio, we have suspended development on BOND 23 indefinitely," Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli said in a joint statement. "We do not know when development will resume and do not have a date for the release of BOND 23."

The sequel was previously scheduled for release in late 2011 or in 2012 to coincide with the franchise's 50th anniversary. Director Sam Mendes had been helping develop the script with an eye toward potentially directing the movie. A production start date had not been set.

MGM had no official comment on the development. But a person close to the studio, who wasn't authorized to talk about it on the record, said, "It was not unexpected given all the uncertainty and the ongoing process." Broccoli and Wilson, who took over the Bond franchise in 1995 from Albert "Cubby" Broccoli, Broccoli's father and Wilson's stepfather, could not be reached for comment.


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Thanks to Mario T.C. & "Mazer" for the heads up.