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.

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!”

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