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.

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.

————

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.