According to reports out of BBC News, British actor, Ben Whishaw’s agent has confirmed his client will be playing the coveted role of 00-Quartermaster, Q. The role was previously famed by Welshman, Desmond Llewelyn.

Although no official announcement has been made by Bond production company, Eon, it is expected the 31 year old actor will take up the character in Skyfall, alongside co-star Daniel Craig. It will be Craig’s third Bond film and the first film to feature the Q character since 2002′s Die Another Day, where comic genius John Cleese took over Llewelyn’s character for a singular outing. This will also be the first time the character of Q will be played by a younger actor than the lead Bond.

Stay tuned to Universal Exports for more on the 23rd Bond film, SkyFall.

Join thousands of Bond fans from around the world and discuss your thoughts on SkyFall at the MI6 Debriefing Room.

According to STV, Bond producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli have decided against shooting in Duntrune Castle, Argyll.

Filming was expected to commence during February for the 23rd Bond, but Russell Lodge of Eon Productions this week informed owner Robin Malcolm of their change of heart.

It seems Eon are still set on filming somewhere in Scotland, but no location has been disclosed as of yet.

“I think they would like to keep a Scottish dimension in the film, but where they do that is up to them”, Mr Malcolm noted, upon receiving the news.

Stay tuned to Universal Exports for more on the 23rd Bond film, SkyFall.

Join thousands of Bond fans from around the world and discuss your thoughts on SkyFall at the MI6 Debriefing Room.

The Official James Bond website outlines the worldwide release dates for SkyFall.

NORTH AMERICA

Canada – 9th November, 2012

United States – 9th November, 2012

LATIN AMERICA

Argentina – 6th December, 2012

Bolivia – 6th December, 2012

Brasil – 2nd November, 2012

Chile – 6th December, 2012

Colombia – 7th December, 2012

Ecuador – 7th December, 2012

Mexico – 9th December, 2012

Peru – 6th December, 2012

Uruguay – 7th December, 2012

Venezuela – 7th December, 2012

MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA

Ethiopia – 2nd November, 2012

Israel – 25th October, 2012

Kenya – 2nd November, 2012

Nigeria – 2nd November, 2012

South Africa – 30 November, 2012

ASIA PACIFIC

Australia – 22nd November, 2012

China – 2nd November, 2012

Hong Kong – 1st November, 2012

India – 2nd November, 2012

Indonesia – 1st November, 2012

Japan – 1st December, 2012

Korea – 1st November, 2012

Malaysia – 1st November, 2012

New Zealand  - 22nd November, 2012

Philippines – 31st October, 2012

Singapore – 1st November, 2012

Taiwan – 2nd November, 2012

Vietnam – 2nd November, 2012

EUROPE

Belgium – 31st October, 2012

Bulgaria – 26th October, 2012

Czech Republic – 25th October, 2012

Denmark – 23rd October, 2012

Germany – 1st November, 2012

Spain – 31st October, 2012

Estonia – 2nd November, 2012

Greece – 1st November, 2012

France – 26th October, 2012

Croatia – 1st November, 2012

Iceland – 26 October, 2012

Italy – 31st October, 2012

Latvia – 2nd November, 2012

Lithuania – 1st November, 2012

Hungary – 8th November, 2012

Holland – 1st November, 2012

Austria – 1st November, 2012

Poland – 26th October, 2012

Russia – 1st November, 2012

Romania – 26 October, 2012

Slovenia – 1st November, 2012

Slovakia – 25th October, 2012

Serbia and Montenegro – 1st November, 2012

Switzerland (French) – 26th November, 2012

Switzerland (German) – 1st November, 2012

Switzerland (Italian) – 1st November, 2012

Finland – 26th October, 2012

Sweden – 26th October, 2012

Turkey – 2nd November, 2012

Ukraine – 1st November, 2012

United Kingdom – 26th October, 2012

Stay tuned to Universal Exports for more on the 23rd Bond film, SkyFall.

Join thousands of Bond fans from around the world and discuss your thoughts on SkyFall at the MI6 Debriefing Room.

Late last evening, the Eon Twitter account informed the cyber world that there had been two additional cast members added to the SkyFall production. English actress Helen McCrory, famed for her involvement in the final Harry Potter films, and Swed Ola Rapace, who is better known for his roles on the small screen, are set to play undisclosed roles.

Stay tuned to Universal Exports for more on the 23rd Bond film, SkyFall.

Join thousands of Bond fans from around the world and discuss your thoughts on SkyFall at the MI6 Debriefing Room.

IFC have been lucky enough to interview Ralph Fiennes shortly after the SkyFall press conference. Fiennes, who was unable to attend due to prior commitments, spoke briefly about his role on the 23rd Bond flick.

“I don’t get laid, that’s for sure”, Fiennes quipped.

Fuelling further speculation of his possible role as Blofeld, Fiennes suggested that “if you’re a Bond fan, then you’ll be happy”.

Despite admitting he prefers the Bond novels over the films, Fiennes praised John Logan’s script and labelled Mendes “a class act”. The English actor went onto say “they’re doing something quite special I think. I think they’re going to be great for Bond.”

Stay tuned to Universal Exports for more on the 23rd Bond film, SkyFall.

Join thousands of Bond fans from around the world and discuss your thoughts on SkyFall at the MI6 Debriefing Room.

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.”

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

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.

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

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