Madagascar 2 Movie Poster

After five weeks atop the international boxoffice, Quantum of Solace has finally been bumped from the number one slot by the animated sequel Madagascar 2.

Meanwhile, according to The Hollywood Reporter:
“A solid $10.8 million from 6,350 screens in 72 markets greeted “Quantum of Solace” as it slid to second place during its seventh week of international release. The film’s sole new opening saw Venezuela bring in $415,000 from 75 screens, hailed by Sony as 98% bigger than the comparable bow for 2006′s “Casino Royale.” “Quantum’s” international cume stands at $357.8 million. Market grosses include $77.4 million in the U.K., $30.8 million in France and $37.1 million in Germany.”

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Judi Dench as M

The 73 year old Dame Judi Dench has said in an interview recently that she is not too keen to play M in the next James Bond movie, stating that she doubts her return.

According to ContactMusic, Dench has often threatened to walk away from the role but is usually convinced to do another one by Bond producer Barbara Broccoli.

According to Broccoli, “She had such a great relationship with Pierce on the screen and she has such a great relationship with Daniel. She is our anchor. She is the real Bond girl – the one that keeps it all going, and I don’t want her to leave. She keeps threatening to leave but I will not let her!”

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The Swedish auction house Bonhams is set to auction off James Bond’s Lotus Esprit from the 1977 film The Spy Who Loved Me.  The Lotus will be sold by the international auctioneers on December 1 at its annual motoring sale at Olympia, in West London, and is expected to go for around £100,000-120,000.

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The Lotus Esprit in 1977's The Spy Who Loved Me

According to a press release issued by Bonhams, With the global release of the new movie Quantum of Solace putting Ian Fleming’s legendary British secret agent James Bond firmly back in the public eye, Bonhams is delighted to announce that it has one of 007’s classic sports cars for sale.

The white 1976 Lotus Esprit from the 1977 film The Spy Who Loved Me, starring Roger Moore and Barbara Bach, will be sold by the international auctioneers on 1 December at its annual motoring Sale at Olympia, in West London. The car is expected to fetch £100,000-120,000.

The vehicle is one of two Lotus cars driven in the film by Roger Moore’s James Bond character. It turns into an amphibious car for the movie, driven both on land and underwater.

Also for sale, is the registration number ‘AU1’, used in another James Bond film Goldfinger. The first registration issued in Nottingham in 1903, this number was fitted to the Rolls-Royce Phantom III used by arch villain Goldfinger in the legendary film of the same name, since AU is the chemical symbol for gold in the Periodic Table. It is expected to fetch in excess of £80,000.

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Roger Moore shows off his star on the Hollywood walk of fame

Whew, there sure has been a ton of Roger Moore related stories floating around these days; mostly because of the release of his new memoirs, My Word is My Bond. The latest from “jocular” Bond is that he does not like the new, more violent Bond.

According to an interview with Reuters, “I am happy to have done it, but I’m sad that it has turned so violent. That’s keeping up with the times, it’s what cinema-goers seem to want and it’s proved by the box-office figures,” Moore told Reuters.

Moore, recalled being appalled at the violence in A View to a Kill, “That wasn’t Bond,” he said. In his book, Moore writes of his distaste for guns, ever since he was shot in the leg by a friend with a BB gun as a teenager.

While making The Man With the Golden Gun, director Guy Hamilton wanted Bond to be tougher and had him threaten to break Maud Adams’ character’s arm to get information, he writes. “That sort of characterization didn’t sit well with me, but Guy was keen to make my Bond a little more ruthless.

“I suggested my Bond would have charmed the information out of her by bedding her first. My Bond was a lover and a giggler, but I went along with Guy,” the British actor wrote.

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Akon

In recent days, both Daniel Craig and Pierce Brosnan have thrown their support behind casting the first black Bond. These statements have come hot on the heels of Barack Obama being elected the first African American President of the United States of America. Well, now rapper Akon has tossed his hat into the ring, stating that he would love the chance to be the next Bond.

According to The Hindu, Akon is quoted as saying “my ideal Bond girl would be Nicole. I think she’d be perfect. Lewis wouldn’t mind if I borrowed her for a minute. He seems like a pretty secure guy. He’s handsome and a world champion. I don’t think he’d be worried”.

The report goes on to say, “Akon is even making plans to fund his own Bond venture if the present producers refuse to sign him. He said, “a lot of people don’t know that I’m heavily trained in martial arts. And when it comes to cars – that’s my thing. I was raised on cars. I could do acting. It would probably take me six months to a year of training to make sure I’d get the role. I could handle that role, no problem. If I don’t ever get the opportunity then I’m gonna shoot my own”

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Barack Obama

Last week, Daniel Craig caused a stir when he said that now that Barack Obama has been elected as the 44th President of the USA, the time was perfect for a black James Bond. Well, Pierce Brosnan has taken that statement one step further by saying that Obama himself would make a quality 007.

According to ET Online, “He’s cool enough. He’s definitely got the walk and the talk, yes,” the actor told People magazine at the second annual Jane Goodall Institute Global Leadership Awards Celebration in Washington, D.C. “But I think he’s going to make a greater president,” Brosnan said, adding, “And Mr. Daniel Craig is a great Bond of his time.”

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A new deal was just inked between MGM Studios and YouTube that will allow the popular streaming video site to offer visitors full-length movies. MGM is the first movie company to sign a contract and it is currently not known exactly what films it will provide YouTube. All that is known for sure is that none of the Bond movies will be amongst those put online.

According to TechRadar, Jim Packer, MGM’s Co-President of Worldwide Television, admitted: “I don’t think you are going to be seeing a James Bond movie on YouTube. That’s a very special franchise for us. We are very cautions about where we put those movies.”

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This year, Big Apple Con is proud to say that George Lazenby is appearing at the convention in addition to several other guests. Also appearing will be Gloria Hendry and Lynn-Holly Johnson. There is also an extensive list of guest artists as well as several other Celebrity personalities such as Kate Mulgrew from Star Trek and Michael Uslan, producer of several Batman films as well as a dealers room with a variety of vendors.

Big Apple Con takes Place in NYC at the Penn Plaza Pavillion, 401 Seventh Ave at 33rd Street. New York City.

2008 November 14th, 15th and 16th

Friday 1pm-8pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am-7pm

Kids FREE Sunday – Under 12 with adult

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ReelzChannel, a digital cable channel in the USA, will be airing a week of James Bond themed programming from November 10 – 16, 2008. Segments will include a behind-the-scenes look at the franchise, a review of the characters, exclusive interviews, classic trailers and lots of Quantum of Solace coverage.

Click here to see if ReelzChannel is available in your area

In addition, www.reelzchannel.com will join the celebration with original Bond-themed online content and pop-culture elements including “The Worst-Laid Plans of Bond Villains” and “Ten Bond Girls We’d Like to See,” as well as star interviews, clips and features from the network’s programming event.

The exclusive programming will include:

“Secret’s Out” (Monday, November 10, 10 p.m. ET/PT, encore on Friday, November 14, 9 p.m. ET/PT). Hosted by renowned movie critic Leonard Maltin, the series spotlights those movie gems that, while they didn’t make box-office history, deserve the attention of movie fans. For “Bond Week,” Maltin will interview James Bond movie expert Collin Stutz, co-author of the “James Bond Encyclopedia.” He also will review hidden gem movies featuring the cast of Quantum of Solace, including Daniel Craig (Sylvia); Mathieu Amalric (The Diving Bell and the Butterfly), Jeffrey Wright (Syriana), Giancarlo Giannini (Swept Away) and Judi Dench (The Shipping News).”

“Dailies” (weekdays beginning Monday, November 10, 8 p.m. ET/PT) ReelzChannel’s signature daily movie news and information show Throughout “Bond Week” the “Dailies” team will present fascinating segments and breaking news about the latest in the storied James Bond franchise. Interviews include the movie’s stars Daniel Craig and Olga Kurylenko and director Marc Forster. Also included are features on the history of James Bond’s cars; a review of the success of past Bond movies; the ultimate James Bond fan, whose collection is so compelling that the CIA requested it for display at their headquarters in Langley, VA; and reviews of Quantum of Solace from Variety’s noted movie critics. The show’s “First Fans” feature will get immediate reactions from Bond loyalists who score tickets to the very first screenings.

“Movie Mob” (Monday, November 10, 8:30 p.m. ET/PT) Criticism and passions are sure to run high during this opinionated half-hour hosted by former mob member Sara Fletcher. The series is the first show to feature an all-online cast who vie each week to keep their coveted spots as movie critics. During “Bond Week,” Mob members weigh in on Quantum of Solace as well as debating who has been the best James Bond and what has been the best Bond movie. Mob members will also re-enact their favorite James Bond movie moments.

“The Big Tease” (Wednesday, November 12, 8:30 p.m. ET/PT) Jill Simonian and Jeremy Parsons host this lively half-hour original series dedicated to the beloved movie trailer. This special edition of the show pays homage to six Bond movies – one for each of the six actors who have portrayed the legendary spy. Featured: Daniel Craig (Quantum of Solace); Pierce Brosnan (GoldenEye); Roger Moore (The Spy Who Loved Me); Timothy Dalton (The Living Daylights); George Lazenby (On Her Majesty’s Secret Service); and Sean Connery (Goldfinger).
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“ReelzChannel Spotlight: The Legacy of Bond” (Thursday, November 13, 8:30 p.m. ET/PT) “Dailies” correspondent Gerrad Hall hosts this special episode from London and talks one-on-one with stars of Quantum Solace including Daniel Craig and Olga Kurylenko. Special segments include a look at Bond creator Ian Fleming and his inspiration for the character; an interview with Monty Norman, one of the men credited with creating the famous Bond theme music; a timeline review of the Bond movie franchise; a report on the Bond Girls over the years; and an eye-popping look at what it REALLY costs to live the extravagant Bond lifestyle.

“Movie Up” (Friday, November 14, 9:30 p.m., ET/PT) Hosted by Tory Shulman, this series is the definitive home-entertainment guide to what’s new and hot on DVD, VOD/PPV and premium channels. In a special salute to “Bond Week,” the series will feature the Blu-Ray releases of the classic 007 adventures Dr. No, Live and Let Die, and For Your Eyes Only, and a special edition DVD of the 2006 Bond re-boot, Casino Royale.

To discuss this story and all the latest James Bond news with 007 fans from around the world, please visit the MI6 Debriefing Room