James Bond has revealed the secrets of his next film, which will be called... SPECTRE.
Director Sam Mendes has made the announcement this morning, ahead of principal photography starting next Monday.
The cast assembled on Thursday morning
Also revealed were some key members of the new cast, including Oscar winner Christoph Waltz as the presumed latest villain.
New Bond ladies (Sam Mendes didn't refer to them 'girls') are revealed as Monica Bellucci and Lea Seydoux.
There had been much speculation that 'Sherlock' star Andrew Scott would play the villain - it turns out he is in the cast, but in an MI6 role, alongside 'Skyfall' returns Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Ben Whishaw and Rory Kinnear.
Also joining the cast is David Bautista, playing Mr Hinx, presumably picking up the henchman baton bequeathed by the likes of Jaws (the much-missed Richard Kiel) and Oddjob. (Harold Sakata).
New James Bond film named
BRITAIN-ENTERTAINMENT-CINEMA-JAMES BOND-SPECTRE(01 of36)
Italian actress Monica Bellucci (L), French actress Lea Seydoux (C) and British actress Naomi Harris (R) pose during an event to launch the 24th James Bond film 'Spectre' at Pinewood Studios at Iver Heath in Buckinghamshire, west of London, on December 4, 2014. French actress Lea Seydoux and Italian star Monica Bellucci will star alongside Britain's Daniel Craig in the new James Bond film 'Spectre', the producers said on December 4 at the historic Pinewood Studios. AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
BOND 24 Live Announcement - London(02 of36)
Naomie Harris, Lea Seydoux, Daniel Craig, Monica Bellucci and Christoph Waltz attends the BOND 24 live announcement to mark the start of production on the 24th Bond film held at Pinewood Studios, London The title and cast of the 24th Bond film were revealed, marking the start of principal photography on Monday 8th December (credit:Doug Peters/Doug Peters)
BOND 24 Live Announcement - London(03 of36)
Monica Bellucci, Lea Seydoux and Naomie Harris attend the BOND 24 live announcement to mark the start of production on the 24th Bond film held at Pinewood Studios, London The title and cast of the 24th Bond film were revealed, marking the start of principal photography on Monday 8th December (credit:Doug Peters/Doug Peters)
New James Bond film named(04 of36)
(left to right) Andrew Scott, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, director Sam Mendes, Lea Seydoux, Daniel Craig, Monica Bellucci, Christoph Waltz, Ben Whishaw, Dave Bautista, Rory Kinnearat the revealing of the new James Bond film at Pinewood Studio in Buckinghamshire. (credit:Ian West/PA Wire)
New James Bond film named(05 of36)
(left to right) Andrew Scott, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, director Sam Mendes, Lea Seydoux, Daniel Craig, Monica Bellucci, Christoph Waltz, Ben Whishaw, Dave Bautista, Rory Kinnearat the revealing of the new James Bond film at Pinewood Studio in Buckinghamshire. (credit:Ian West/PA Wire)
New James Bond film named(06 of36)
Sam Mendes (left) and Daniel Craig at the revealing of the new James Bond film at Pinewood Studio in Buckinghamshire. (credit:Ian West/PA Wire)
New James Bond film named(07 of36)
(left to right) Naomie Harris, Lea Seydoux, Daniel Craig, Monica Bellucci and Christoph Waltz at the revealing of the new James Bond film at pinewood Studio in Buckinghamshire. (credit:Ian West/PA Wire)
New James Bond film named(08 of36)
(left to right) Dave Bautista, director Sam Mendes, Christoph Waltz and Andrew Scott at the revealing of the new James Bond film at Pinewood Studio in Buckinghamshire. (credit:Ian West/PA Wire)
New James Bond film named(09 of36)
(left to right) Andrew Scott, Dave Bautista, Monica Bellucci, Lea Seydoux, Christoph Waltz and Daniel Craig at the revealing of the new James Bond film at Pinewood Studio in Buckinghamshire. (credit:Ian West/PA Wire)
BRITAIN-ENTERTAINMENT-CINEMA-JAMES BOND-SPECTRE(10 of36)
(L-R) British actress Naomi Harris, French actress Lea Seydoux, British actor Daniel Craig, Italian actress Monica Bellucci and Austrian actor Christoph Waltz pose during an event to launch the 24th James Bond film 'Spectre' at Pinewood Studios at Iver Heath in Buckinghamshire, west of London, on December 4, 2014. French actress Lea Seydoux and Italian star Monica Bellucci will star alongside Britain's Daniel Craig in the new James Bond film 'Spectre', the producers said on December 4 at the historic Pinewood Studios. AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-ENTERTAINMENT-CINEMA-JAMES BOND-SPECTRE(11 of36)
British actors (L-R) Ben Whishaw, Naomi Harris, Daniel Craig and Ralph Fiennes pose during an event to launch the 24th James Bond film 'Spectre' at Pinewood Studios at Iver Heath in Buckinghamshire, west of London, on December 4, 2014. French actress Lea Seydoux and Italian star Monica Bellucci will star alongside Britain's Daniel Craig in the new James Bond film 'Spectre', the producers said on December 4 at the historic Pinewood Studios. AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-ENTERTAINMENT-CINEMA-JAMES BOND-SPECTRE(12 of36)
British actress Naomi Harris poses during an event to launch the 24th James Bond film 'Spectre' at Pinewood Studios at Iver Heath in Buckinghamshire, west of London, on December 4, 2014. French actress Lea Seydoux and Italian star Monica Bellucci will star alongside Britain's Daniel Craig in the new James Bond film 'Spectre', the producers said on December 4 at the historic Pinewood Studios. AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-ENTERTAINMENT-CINEMA-JAMES BOND-SPECTRE(13 of36)
French actress Lea Seydoux poses during an event to launch the 24th James Bond film 'Spectre' at Pinewood Studios at Iver Heath in Buckinghamshire, west of London, on December 4, 2014. French actress Lea Seydoux and Italian star Monica Bellucci will star alongside Britain's Daniel Craig in the new James Bond film 'Spectre', the producers said on December 4 at the historic Pinewood Studios. AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-ENTERTAINMENT-CINEMA-JAMES BOND-SPECTRE(14 of36)
French actress Lea Seydoux poses during an event to launch the 24th James Bond film 'Spectre' at Pinewood Studios at Iver Heath in Buckinghamshire, west of London, on December 4, 2014. French actress Lea Seydoux and Italian star Monica Bellucci will star alongside Britain's Daniel Craig in the new James Bond film 'Spectre', the producers said on December 4 at the historic Pinewood Studios. AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-ENTERTAINMENT-CINEMA-JAMES BOND-SPECTRE(15 of36)
British actor Daniel Craig poses during an event to launch the 24th James Bond film 'Spectre' at Pinewood Studios at Iver Heath in Buckinghamshire, west of London, on December 4, 2014. French actress Lea Seydoux and Italian star Monica Bellucci will star alongside Britain's Daniel Craig in the new James Bond film 'Spectre', the producers said on December 4 at the historic Pinewood Studios. AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-ENTERTAINMENT-CINEMA-JAMES BOND-SPECTRE(16 of36)
British actor Daniel Craig (L) British director Sam Mendes (R) and US film producer Barbara Broccoli (C) pose during an event to launch the 24th James Bond film 'Spectre' at Pinewood Studios at Iver Heath in Buckinghamshire, west of London, on December 4, 2014. French actress Lea Seydoux and Italian star Monica Bellucci will star alongside Britain's Daniel Craig in the new James Bond film 'Spectre', the producers said on December 4 at the historic Pinewood Studios. AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-ENTERTAINMENT-CINEMA-JAMES BOND-SPECTRE(17 of36)
Italian actress Monica Bellucci poses during an event to launch the 24th James Bond film 'Spectre' at Pinewood Studios at Iver Heath in Buckinghamshire, west of London, on December 4, 2014. French actress Lea Seydoux and Italian star Monica Bellucci will star alongside Britain's Daniel Craig in the new James Bond film 'Spectre', the producers said on December 4 at the historic Pinewood Studios. AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-ENTERTAINMENT-CINEMA-JAMES BOND-SPECTRE(18 of36)
Italian actress Monica Bellucci (L), French actress Lea Seydoux (C) and British actress Naomi Harris (R) pose during an event to launch the 24th James Bond film 'Spectre' at Pinewood Studios at Iver Heath in Buckinghamshire, west of London, on December 4, 2014. French actress Lea Seydoux and Italian star Monica Bellucci will star alongside Britain's Daniel Craig in the new James Bond film 'Spectre', the producers said on December 4 at the historic Pinewood Studios. AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-ENTERTAINMENT-CINEMA-JAMES BOND-SPECTRE(19 of36)
Austrian actor Christoph Waltz poses during an event to launch the 24th James Bond film 'Spectre' at Pinewood Studios at Iver Heath in Buckinghamshire, west of London, on December 4, 2014. French actress Lea Seydoux and Italian star Monica Bellucci will star alongside Britain's Daniel Craig in the new James Bond film 'Spectre', the producers said on December 4 at the historic Pinewood Studios. AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-ENTERTAINMENT-CINEMA-JAMES BOND-SPECTRE(20 of36)
(L-R) Filipino-American actor Dave Bautista, British director Sam Mendes, Austrian actor Christoph Waltz and Irish actor Andrew Scott pose during an event to launch the 24th James Bond film 'Spectre' at Pinewood Studios at Iver Heath in Buckinghamshire, west of London, on December 4, 2014. French actress Lea Seydoux and Italian star Monica Bellucci will star alongside Britain's Daniel Craig in the new James Bond film 'Spectre', the producers said on December 4 at the historic Pinewood Studios. AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-ENTERTAINMENT-CINEMA-JAMES BOND-SPECTRE(21 of36)
British actress Naomi Harris poses during an event to launch the 24th James Bond film 'Spectre' at Pinewood Studios at Iver Heath in Buckinghamshire, west of London, on December 4, 2014. French actress Lea Seydoux and Italian star Monica Bellucci will star alongside Britain's Daniel Craig in the new James Bond film 'Spectre', the producers said on December 4 at the historic Pinewood Studios. AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-ENTERTAINMENT-CINEMA-JAMES BOND-SPECTRE(22 of36)
British actress Naomi Harris (L) and British actor Daniel Craig (R) pose during an event to launch the 24th James Bond film 'Spectre' at Pinewood Studios at Iver Heath in Buckinghamshire, west of London, on December 4, 2014. French actress Lea Seydoux and Italian star Monica Bellucci will star alongside Britain's Daniel Craig in the new James Bond film 'Spectre', the producers said on December 4 at the historic Pinewood Studios. AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-ENTERTAINMENT-CINEMA-JAMES BOND-SPECTRE(23 of36)
British actors (L-R) Ben Whishaw, Naomi Harris, Daniel Craig and Ralph Fiennes pose during an event to launch the 24th James Bond film 'Spectre' at Pinewood Studios at Iver Heath in Buckinghamshire, west of London, on December 4, 2014. French actress Lea Seydoux and Italian star Monica Bellucci will star alongside Britain's Daniel Craig in the new James Bond film 'Spectre', the producers said on December 4 at the historic Pinewood Studios. AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-ENTERTAINMENT-CINEMA-JAMES BOND-SPECTRE(24 of36)
British actor Daniel Craig (L) and Austrian actor Christoph Waltz (R) pose during an event to launch the 24th James Bond film 'Spectre' at Pinewood Studios at Iver Heath in Buckinghamshire, west of London, on December 4, 2014. French actress Lea Seydoux and Italian star Monica Bellucci will star alongside Britain's Daniel Craig in the new James Bond film 'Spectre', the producers said on December 4 at the historic Pinewood Studios. AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-ENTERTAINMENT-CINEMA-JAMES BOND-SPECTRE(25 of36)
British actor Daniel Craig (L) and Austrian actor Christoph Waltz (R) pose during an event to launch the 24th James Bond film 'Spectre' at Pinewood Studios at Iver Heath in Buckinghamshire, west of London, on December 4, 2014. French actress Lea Seydoux and Italian star Monica Bellucci will star alongside Britain's Daniel Craig in the new James Bond film 'Spectre', the producers said on December 4 at the historic Pinewood Studios. AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-ENTERTAINMENT-CINEMA-JAMES BOND-SPECTRE(26 of36)
British actor Daniel Craig (C), French actress Lea Seydoux (L) and Italian actress Monica Bellucci (R) pose during an event to launch the 24th James Bond film 'Spectre' at Pinewood Studios at Iver Heath in Buckinghamshire, west of London, on December 4, 2014. French actress Lea Seydoux and Italian star Monica Bellucci will star alongside Britain's Daniel Craig in the new James Bond film 'Spectre', the producers said on December 4 at the historic Pinewood Studios. AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-ENTERTAINMENT-CINEMA-JAMES BOND-SPECTRE(27 of36)
British director Sam Mendes (R) and actor Daniel Craig (L) pose during an event to launch the 24th James Bond film 'Spectre' at Pinewood Studios at Iver Heath in Buckinghamshire, west of London, on December 4, 2014. French actress Lea Seydoux and Italian star Monica Bellucci will star alongside Britain's Daniel Craig in the new James Bond film 'Spectre', the producers said on December 4 at the historic Pinewood Studios. AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-ENTERTAINMENT-CINEMA-JAMES BOND-SPECTRE(28 of36)
French actress Lea Seydoux (R) and Italian star Monica Bellucci (L) pose during an event to launch the 24th James Bond film 'Spectre' at Pinewood Studios at Iver Heath in Buckinghamshire, west of London, on December 4, 2014. French actress Lea Seydoux and Italian star Monica Bellucci will star alongside Britain's Daniel Craig in the new James Bond film 'Spectre', the producers said on December 4 at the historic Pinewood Studios. AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-ENTERTAINMENT-CINEMA-JAMES BOND-SPECTRE(29 of36)
The new Bond car, an Aston Martin DB10, is unveiled during an event to launch the 24th James Bond film 'Spectre' at Pinewood Studios at Iver Heath in Buckinghamshire, west of London, on December 4, 2014. French actress Lea Seydoux and Italian star Monica Bellucci will star alongside Britain's Daniel Craig in the new James Bond film 'Spectre', the producers said on December 4 at the historic Pinewood Studios. AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-ENTERTAINMENT-CINEMA-JAMES BOND-SPECTRE(30 of36)
British director Sam Mendes unveils the new Bond car, an Aston Martin DB10, during an event to launch the 24th James Bond film 'Spectre' at Pinewood Studios at Iver Heath in Buckinghamshire, west of London, on December 4, 2014. French actress Lea Seydoux and Italian star Monica Bellucci will star alongside Britain's Daniel Craig in the new James Bond film 'Spectre', the producers said on December 4 at the historic Pinewood Studios. AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-ENTERTAINMENT-CINEMA-JAMES BOND-SPECTRE(31 of36)
The new Bond car, an Aston Martin DB10, is seen during an event to launch the 24th James Bond film 'Spectre' at Pinewood Studios at Iver Heath in Buckinghamshire, west of London, on December 4, 2014. French actress Lea Seydoux and Italian star Monica Bellucci will star alongside Britain's Daniel Craig in the new James Bond film 'Spectre', the producers said on December 4 at the historic Pinewood Studios. AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-ENTERTAINMENT-CINEMA-JAMES BOND-SPECTRE(32 of36)
British director Sam Mendes (L) and US film producer Barbara Broccoli (R) speak during an event to launch the 24th James Bond film 'Spectre' at Pinewood Studios at Iver Heath in Buckinghamshire, west of London, on December 4, 2014. French actress Lea Seydoux and Italian star Monica Bellucci will star alongside Britain's Daniel Craig in the new James Bond film 'Spectre', the producers said on December 4 at the historic Pinewood Studios. AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-ENTERTAINMENT-CINEMA-JAMES BOND-SPECTRE(33 of36)
Irish actor Andrew Scott poses during an event to launch the 24th James Bond film 'Spectre' at Pinewood Studios at Iver Heath in Buckinghamshire, west of London, on December 4, 2014. French actress Lea Seydoux and Italian star Monica Bellucci will star alongside Britain's Daniel Craig in the new James Bond film 'Spectre', the producers said on December 4 at the historic Pinewood Studios. AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-ENTERTAINMENT-CINEMA-JAMES BOND-SPECTRE(34 of36)
British actor Ben Whishaw poses during an event to launch the 24th James Bond film 'Spectre' at Pinewood Studios at Iver Heath in Buckinghamshire, west of London, on December 4, 2014. French actress Lea Seydoux and Italian star Monica Bellucci will star alongside Britain's Daniel Craig in the new James Bond film 'Spectre', the producers said on December 4 at the historic Pinewood Studios. AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-ENTERTAINMENT-CINEMA-JAMES BOND-SPECTRE(35 of36)
British actor Rory Kinnear poses during an event to launch the 24th James Bond film 'Spectre' at Pinewood Studios at Iver Heath in Buckinghamshire, west of London, on December 4, 2014. French actress Lea Seydoux and Italian star Monica Bellucci will star alongside Britain's Daniel Craig in the new James Bond film 'Spectre', the producers said on December 4 at the historic Pinewood Studios. AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-ENTERTAINMENT-CINEMA-JAMES BOND-SPECTRE(36 of36)
The new Bond car, an Aston Martin DB10, is seen during an event to launch the 24th James Bond film 'Spectre' at Pinewood Studios at Iver Heath in Buckinghamshire, west of London, on December 4, 2014. French actress Lea Seydoux and Italian star Monica Bellucci will star alongside Britain's Daniel Craig in the new James Bond film 'Spectre', the producers said on December 4 at the historic Pinewood Studios. AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
James Bond 24 will be Daniel Craig's fourth outing as the secret agent with a licence to kill. After his breakthrough in 'Casino Royale' and the less successful follow-up 'Quantum of Solace', he helped recruit Oscar winner Sam Mendes to direct 'Skyfall' - which celebrated Bond's 50th year, broke records at the British box office and also won an Oscar for Adele with her sultry theme song.
How To Be A James Bond Director
Memorable Villains(01 of09)
Bond may be the epicenter of this franchise, but the spice is always provided by an ever-changing roster of colorful baddies. In a post-"Dark Knight"-era the bar has been raised for supervillains, so taking on the part of 007's nemesis this time around is Javier Bardem as blonde cyberterrorist and former MI6 agent Raoul Silva, who not only wants to take down the agency but also shares some crucial ties to Bond's past. Supposedly Bardem kills it in "Skyfall," and proves a worthy successor to such other classic Bond villains as Goldfinger, Blofield, and ol' bloody-tears Le Chiffre (left). (credit:Everett)
Even-More Memorable Henchmen(02 of09)
Behind every weird villain is an even weirder henchman, and the series is chock full of 'em. There's Oddjob (Harold Sakata) and his razor-sharp throwing hats, or the ever-handsome Jaws (Richard Kiel) and his giant metal teeth. Whether "Skyfall" has henchmen with as much bite (pun intended) as these guys we're not sure, but they tend to, more often than not, turn out to be surprisingly effective career launchers, as with Robert Shaw in "From Russia With Love" or Benicio del Toro in "License to Kill." (credit:Everett)
Femme Fatales(03 of09)
Honey Ryder, Pussy Galore, Holly Goodhead, Penelope Smallbone, Xenia Onatopp. You know the names, and maybe the faces, but every Bond outing needs a stunning femme fatale to lure bond into a web of deceit… and parts beyond. They must be seductive, but with a hint of danger so that our secret agent probably knows he's getting into trouble but doesn't really care. She should also preferably come with a double entendre name that "Austin Powers" didn't exploit yet. As of now, Mamrie Knockers, Felati O'Toole, and Engorge Dlabia are all still available. (credit:Everett)
Numerous Exotic Locales(04 of09)
The Bond canon is pure escapism at its finest, and perhaps the biggest part of that is for audiences to eat, drink and seduce things they will never experience, including travelling to some of the most beautiful places on Earth. Daniel Craig continues this globetrotting tradition in his films, including the new one. Besides their homebase of England, the "Skyfall" production set up camp in Scotland, Istanbul, and China to give the film a sense of true scope. You won't see Bond pop up in Guatemala or Detroit anytime soon, that's for sure. (credit:Columbia)
Production Insurance(05 of09)
These are big movies, and we mean HUGE. The cost of "Skyfall" is $150-million at least, and when you're dealing with the kind of practical stuntwork and on-set special effects they require you've got a recipe for disaster. Just on the last three movies Daniel Craig had his teeth knocked out, a finger broken, there was a fire at Pinewood Studios' 007 Stage, a stuntman wound up in intensive care after a car chase went wrong, and a stunt rider crashed a motorcycle into a crystal shop in Istanbul. (credit:Columbia)
Judi Dench(06 of09)
British national treasure Dame Judi Dench has been in not only every Daniel Craig Bond movie, but also every Pierce Brosnan one as well. Her role as Bond's perpetually flustered overseer M is the glue that ties all these movies together. She's the one who's there to point out Bond's not-so-latent womanizing, his brashness, reckless ways, just to remind the audience why we like the guy so much. She herself has become a beloved part of this institution. (credit:Columbia)
The Three Cs: Comfortable Casting Couch(07 of09)
Is it any secret that Sam Mendes' marriage to Kate Winslet collapsed around the same time he started work on "Skyfall?" Probably. But either way, that dude had to be ready to audition some of the most gorgeous models Eastern Europe had to offer, and that wedding band was only going to get in the way. If you don't think picking who 007 will bed is one of the perks of this gig, just look at all the perfect 10s that have been cast over the years. Now imagine the 9s and 8s who vied for those roles… not too shabby, eh? (credit:Everett)
Flexability(08 of09)
One of the most common hallmarks of a Bond director is that they understand that they are not going to futz with the winning formula. The Broccoli family and EON productions have fielded offers (or overtures, anyway) from all sorts of top-tier filmmakers over the years, from Steven Spielberg to Quentin Tarantino to Christopher Nolan, but all those guys are too used to getting their own way. Tarantino's plan was to shoot "Casino Royale" in black and white and set it in the '50s, but we can't imagine the folks at EON being too pleased with that. Ultimately, for all the nuance Academy Award-winner Mendes is bringing to the table, he's still making an EON movie, plain and simple. (credit:Columbia)
A Functioning Studio(09 of09)
The last Bond outing, "Quantum of Solace," made nearly $600-million worldwide, and almost immediately after it was released plans began forming for "Skyfall." However, with MGM's money woes and bankruptcy, filming was suspended for a good long while, nearly costing Mendes the job. With Daniel Craig getting up in years (he's 44) the delay may very well have cost him the role as well, as it did for poor Timothy Dalton. Dalton was all set to make a third go at playing the part, but a protracted legal battle from 1990 to 1994 between EON Productions and MGM slowed his roll, and by the time they got to making "Goldeneye" the world was not enough for him. (credit:MGM)