Daniel Craig and Hugh Jackman on stage

After months of hype and a period of previews during which Hugh Jackman scolded an audience member for leaving their cell phone on, A Steady Rain has finally opened on Broadway on Tuesday, September 29, 2009. The drama will only run for a limited 12-week engagement, so don’t wait to see 007 on stage with Wolverine.

According to the official Web site, “Daniel Craig and Hugh Jackman star in the most anticipated theatrical event of the season: A Steady Rain. This new American play by Keith Huff tells the story of two Chicago cops who are lifelong friends and whose differing accounts of a few harrowing days change their lives forever. Directing is John Crowley.

Daniel Craig in between Bond films

In a recent interview, Daniel Craig was asked if Bond 23 was going to be the final part in a trilogy involving the group Quantum. To this he replied, “No *#$&!@% way. I’m done with that story. I want to lie on a beach for the first half an hour of the next movie drinking a cocktail.” Now the final sentence was obviously a joke, but the interview has led to all news media definitively stating that Bond 23 will be completely different.

While the staff at Universal Exports is torn between this being good or bad news, the fact of the matter is that this was just a random interview with a man tired of James Bond at the moment. There is no script, nor any idea of what the plot will be. All that has been confirmed is what Daniel Craig HOPES for the next film. Granted, he does have more than a little pull, but still, the interview should be taken at face value.

For the full text of the interview, which goes on to discuss the roles of Moneypenny and Q and the return of Bond’s gadgets, check out “This One’s For All the Impatient Bond Fans Out There.”

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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”

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

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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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

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

Given the recent US presidential election victory by Barack Obama, Daniel Craig has gone on record saying that he now believes the world is ready for a black James Bond.

Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States of America

According to the Sydney Morning Herald:

“I think the role could easily be played by a black actor, because the character created by Ian Fleming in the 50s has undergone a great deal of evolution and continues to be updated.”

However, the idea might not be well received by Fleming, Craig said.

“I think he’d probably turn in his grave … [at the thought of a black Bond],” said Craig.

Craig last month suggested Senator Obama himself might make a good James Bond. At the least, he’d make a better Bond than opponent John McCain, he said.

“Obama would be the better Bond, because, if he’s true to his word, he’d be willing to quite literally look the enemy in the eye and go toe-to-toe with them,” he told American magazine, Parade.

“McCain, because of his long service and experience, would probably be a better M. There is, come to think of it, a kind of Judi Dench quality to McCain.”

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Forget Harry Potter…there’s now a new king of the one-day UK box office opening. On October 21, 2008, its first day of release, Quantum of Solace took £4.9 in ticket sales, beating out Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire’s £4.025 million take back in 1995. These numbers also eclipsed Daniel Craig’s first James Bond movie, Casino Royale, which pulled in £2.9 million in ticket sales on its first day of business in the UK.

Source: The Press Association

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Pierce Brosnan, the fifth James Bond, 007

Daniel Craig has recently revealed that he went up to Pierce Brosnan at an awards show a few weeks before accepting the role of James Bond to ask the current 007 for advice.

According to Craig, “After dinner, after having enough to drink, I just went over and said, ‘Look, it’s not on the cards(but) it might be on the cards. If it were to be on the cards, what should I do?’”

Pierce Brosnan replied, “Go for it. Just go for it. You’ve got to have a go at this.”

Source: OneIndia

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