Daniel Kleinman’s beautiful Skyfall title sequence can now be seen online. What’s really fascinating is that this version does not have the cast and crew’s names on top of it

As for the man himself:

Daniel Kleinman is a British television commercial and music video director who was title sequence designer for the James Bond series of films from 1995′s GoldenEye until he was replaced by MK12 for 2008′s Quantum of Solace. He returned to the series to design the title sequence for 2012′s Skyfall.

Prior to Bond, Kleinman had directed music videos for artists such as Madonna, Fleetwood Mac, Paula Abdul, Wang Chung, Adam Ant and many others. His 1989 James Bond-inspired video for Gladys Knight’s title song to Licence to Kill led to him being chosen as the replacement for regular Bond title designer Maurice Binder after his death in 1991. In addition to the titles, Kleinman also directed the music video for Sheryl Crow’s Tomorrow Never Diestitle song.

Kleinman has also directed many television commercials for companies ranging from Smirnoff’s Sea and Guinness’ noitulovE, to pieces for Levi’s, Johnnie Walker, Durex and Audi.

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Bio courtesy of Wikipedia

Thanks to CommanderBond.net for the heads up on the video

As Skyfall’s release date draws closer, there are many things I’m excited about. One of them is the amazing-looking Casino scene that has Bond floating through a eerily-lit entrance.

The casino scene in Skyfall

There will be a scene where tuxedo-clad Bond gets into an action at a floating casino in Macao.

The particular scene, which allegedly will see firework being lit as the boat Bond boards passes between two dragon heads, reportedly has “a certain gravity” and that director Sam Mendes has “put a mysterious depth in it.” The casino shown in the scene itself is said to be resembling “a kingdom of the dead.”

Ace Showbiz

Skyfall will mark the first time Bond has been in Macau since 1974′s The Man With the Golden Gun, when he also visited a floating casino. That one, unfortunately, no longer exists. How neat would it have been if Daniel Craig went to the same casino as Roger Moore had… and if Roger Moore had a cameo as a baccarat dealer. Oh well, that’s not going to happen.

Also interesting is that Carta Mundi will once again supply the casino chips for Skyfall. They last had a role in the Bond franchise in 2006′s Casino Royale.

Belgium playing card manufacturer Carta Mundi supplied casino chips for use in Skyfall, according to an article published by our friends at MI6 via a translated press release issued by the company.

Carta Mundi supplied cards and chips for Casino Royale and have provided licenced 007 products for a number of years, including 50th anniversary poker sets. The article also says that Carta Mundi will supply Skyfall cards and poker sets later in the year.

James Bond Lifestyle

In case you missed it, here is the Skyfall trailer…

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.

On November 3, 2011, the cast and crew of Bond 23 put on a press conference to announce the next James Bond movie: Skyfall.

In attendance were the film’s director Sam Mendes, Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, Dame Judi Dench, Naomie Harris, Berenice Marlohe, and the franchise long-standing producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli.

And, without further adieu, here is the complete press conference.

Some random thoughts I had during the press conference:

“The worst kept secret in the history of London…the title of the film” MGW

Barbara Broccoli had such a pouty face in the beginning.

I like that I’ve never heard of either Bond girl before…but boy are they beautiful!

I hope Javier Bardem puts on a thick “meeester Bond” accent.

Bummer that DC confirmed that there will be no Quantum. Here’s to hoping he’s lying.

I love that it ended with Barbara so emphatically stating that Daniel Craig will be back! Keep ‘em coming.

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

November 3, 2011 was a huge day in the world of 007. On the 50th anniversary of the announcement of Sean Connery as the first James Bond, the producers held a big press conference to let the world know more about the 23rd Bond movie: Skyfall.

Naturally, the Internet is abuzz with stories about the film. Here are a few of the best ones I’ve come across:

Reuters:

As previously announced, Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes directs his first Bond adventure, which celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2012 when Skyfall is released.

One of the few details Mendes revealed to more than 100 reporters from around the world at the film’s London press launch were his cast and the locations of the blockbuster, which starts production on Monday.

Bond regulars Craig and Judi Dench, as his stern spymaster M, return to their roles, Spanish actor Javier Bardem plays the villain and French actress Berenice Marlohe and Britain’s Naomie Harris are Bond girls.

All five were at the press briefing, where they were joined by Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson.

In addition, Mendes said the latest installment in one of cinema’s longest and most successful film franchises will feature Ben Whishaw “who will be playing a part I can’t tell you about in scenes I can tell you nothing about.

“And Albert Finney, who will also be playing a part I can tell you nothing about in scenes that I can’t really tell you about and Ralph Fiennes, who, similarly, I can give you very little information about.”

Asked whether he had not named all of the characters the leading actors would be playing because Bond fans might recognize them, the “American Beauty” director replied: “They might do. On the other hand they might not.”

What producers have confirmed is that Skyfall will take Bond on another action-packed mission to London, Shanghai, Istanbul and Scotland.

A press release gave a brief plot outline, saying Bond’s loyalty to M is tested “as her past comes back to haunt her.

“As MI6 (British intelligence) comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.”

NO “AUSTERITY” BOND

Mendes and his producers sought to reassure fans that tough economic conditions in the real world would not make the fictional exploits of the suave superspy any less spectacular.

“It, I think, has all the elements of a classic Bond movie, including, to quell any rumors, a lot of action,” Mendes said.

Wilson added: “I think it’s in the same (cost) range as the last film and we really haven’t had to change anything in the script. We haven’t had to sacrifice anything.”

And of course the BBC covered the Skyfall James Bond 23 press conference

The latest 007 adventure will star Daniel Craig for the third time. Leading ladies have been confirmed as French actress Berenice Marlohe and Naomie Harris.

Skyfall is being directed by Sam Mendes, who won an Oscar for 1999′s American Beauty.

Mendes said the storyline will take the secret agent to London, China, Turkey and Scotland.

It will see Bond’s loyalty tested to M, his superior, while espionage headquarters MI6 faces an attack.

The movie, which sees the return of Dame Judi Dench as spy boss M, will also star Ralph Fiennes, Albert Finney and Javier Bardem as the villain of the piece.

It will be released in the UK on 26 October 2012.

Craig told reporters in London that the cast would start filming sequences for the new movie later on Thursday.

Daniel Craig and French actress Berenice Marlohe on their roles in Skyfall

Much speculation about the new film has focused on what Mendes will bring to the franchise, with some suggesting he will tone down – or even abandon altogether – the action sequences.

But the director denied that this was the case. He told reporters in London that the “fantastic script” had “all the elements of a classic Bond movie, including – to quell any rumours – lots of action”.

When asked what fans could expect from the latest film, he added: “The movie will reveal everything, and there’s lots of surprises.”

Producer Barbara Broccoli said no-one had yet been chosen to write and perform the Bond theme tune.

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