Latest news with #QuantumofSolace
Daily Record
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Controversial Daniel Craig Bond film ranked higher than Sean Connery favourite on TV tonight
The James Bond film, which sees Daniel Craig reprise his role as the fictional MI6 agent, will air on STV in Scotland and ITV in England this weekend - and it's ranked higher than a Sean Connery classic on Rotten Tomatoes This weekend, catch Daniel Craig 's second performance as the iconic MI6 agent, James Bond, in Quantum of Solace on television. Tune into STV 3 (ITV 1 in England) at 8pm on Saturday, June 21, to witness the thrilling follow-up to Casino Royale (2006), which is also the 22nd instalment in the esteemed James Bond series, originally released in 2008. Helmed by Marc Forster and penned by Paul Haggis, Neal Purvis, and Robert Wade, the film features an impressive cast including Dame Judi Dench, Mathieu Amalric, Giancarlo Giannini, Olga Kurylenko, and Jeffrey Wright taking on pivotal roles. The globe-trotting production of Quantum of Solace took place across six countries: the UK, Italy, Austria, Chile, Panama, and Mexico. David Arnold makes his fifth consecutive return as the composer, enhancing the film's espionage vibe. Making its grand debut at the Odeon Leicester Square in London on October 29, 2008, the premiere was graced by Royalty—with Princes William and Harry among the distinguished attendees—and ticket sales contributed to the noble causes of the Royal British Legion and Help for Heroes, reports the Express. With a whopping $589.6 million amassed globally, Quantum of Solace stood tall against its hefty $230 million production budget. Even though it surpassed Sean Connery's Diamonds Are Forever and Roger Moore's Moonraker on Rotten Tomatoes' ranking of Bond films, it holds a middling 63 per cent critics' approval rating on the site. A critic described it as "one of the most listless Bond films" they had ever watched. A reviewer sarcastically remarked: "I'm so turned off by this, I don't even have the energy to trash it. Why should I think of something clever to write? The authors clearly didn't see that as a mandate." In a similar vein, another critic added: "Let's hope this is a one-off aberration, because though it's all very efficient it lacks heart and soul and substance." In an episode of The Hollywood Reporter's Awards Chatter podcast in November 2024, Daniel Craig shared that his experience working on the film, which was his second appearance as Bond, was a "f-ng nightmare". This was largely due to the disruption caused by the 2007-2008 Writers Guild of America strike, which halted production mid-way. Craig explained: "Paul Haggis did a pass on the script. Then, he went off and joined the picket line and we didn't have writers. So, we didn't have a script. We should never probably have started production, but we did. I ended up writing a lot of that film, which I probably shouldn't say. I do not want the credit. It's fine." Reflecting on how the film was received, Craig observed: "There are some amazing stunt sequences in it. I'm still wearing the pins to prove it. In that sense, there's a lot of great stuff in it, but it just didn't quite work. The storytelling wasn't there. That's the abject lesson. Going to start a movie without a script is not a good idea." His second Bond outing fared terribly with viewers, scoring a paltry 58 per cent audience approval rating from over 250,000 ratings. Furthermore, this Bond film's reception with viewers was even more unfavourable as it recorded a meagre audience approval score of just 58 per cent with more than 250,000 ratings. One viewer expressed disappointment, commenting: "This film just feels like an extended post credit scene for Casino Royale. It is fun to watch but not enough story to make it interesting." Another viewer was less than impressed, labelling it as "Craig's worst movie as agent 007". Dissatisfaction with the film's direction by Marc Forster was evident when a viewer remarked: "This Bond film is truly groundbreaking for multiple reasons: the most poorly edited action sequences ever, the worst opening title song ever, and the absence of the James Bond action music until, get this, the credits roll at the end of the film! Beyond shocking after the brilliance of Casino Royale. Don't ever let this director anywhere near another Bond film." STV is set to air Quantum of Solace on Saturday, June 21, at 8pm.
Scotsman
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Quantum of Solace cast: who is in Bond film? Full list
Quantum of Solace is on TV this weekend - but who is in the cast? 🕵️♀️ Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Quantum of Solace is set to be broadcast on TV this weekend. It was the second 007 film to feature Daniel Craig. But who else was in the cast of the classic movie? James Bond is one of the most iconic characters in the history of film and Daniel Craig made quite the impression when taking on the role. Across five movies and 15 years he put his own spin on the legendary spy. One of his first outings as 007 is set to be broadcast on terrestrial TV this weekend. Quantum of Solace has secured a prime Saturday night slot on ITV. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Rumours continue to swirl around who will take on the mantle of James Bond next, following Craig's final film in 2021. But while you wait, why not re-watch one of the more modern films in the franchise. Here's all you need to know: When is Quantum of Solace on TV? Daniel Craig in Quantum of Solace which began production during the 2008 Hollywood writers' strike. The 22nd Bond film - and second with Daniel Craig as 007 - will be broadcast tonight (June 21) on ITV. It is set to begin at 8pm and will run for around 2 hours, including adverts. Who is in the cast of Quantum of Solace? It has been 17 years since the film first came out in cinemas, so you might have forgotten who was in the movie - outside of Daniel Craig of course. The cast includes: Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Daniel Craig - James Bond Olga Kurylenko - Camille Montes Mathieu Amalric - Dominic Greene Giancarlo Giannini - René Mathis Gemma Arterton - Strawberry Fields Anatole Taubman - Elvis Jesper Christensen - Mr. White David Harbour - Gregg Beam Rory Kinnear - Bill Tanner Tim Pigott-Smith as the British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Joaquín Cosío - General Medrano Jeffrey Wright - Felix Leiter Judi Dench - M Fernando Guillén Cuervo - Carlos Paul Ritter - Guy Haines Neil Jackson - Edmund Slate Simon Kassianides - Yusef Kabira Stana Katic - Corrine Veneau Glenn Foster - Craig Mitchell Oona Chaplin - Perla de las Dunas's receptionist Lucrezia Lante della Rovere - Gemma Jesús Ochoa - Lieutenant Orso The film also featured appearances from fellow directors Guillermo del Toro and Alfonso Cuarón - the latter played a helicopter pilot. Del Toro lent his voice to multiple roles. You might have spotted actors who you've become far more familiar with in the years since you last watched the movie. Not least of all David Harbour, who will return for the final season of Stranger Things later this year. What is Quantum of Solace about? The synopsis for the film, via Radio Times , reads: 'Following betrayal by his lover, secret agent James Bond embarks upon a globe-trotting mission to discover the truth. Soon, 007 comes into contact with the shadowy Quantum organisation, whose intentions are decidedly sinister…'
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Man denies breaching restraining order by contacting ex-007 producer
A man has denied 11 counts of breaching a restraining order by contacting former James Bond producer Barbara Broccoli. Daniel Wilson was prohibited from contacting Ms Broccoli, 64, by an order put in place at Isleworth Crown Court on July 3 2017. Ms Broccoli, 64, and her half-brother Michael G Wilson, 83, produced the James Bond franchise after the death of her father Albert 'Cubby' Broccoli in 1996 until February this year. Amazon MGM Studios gained creative control of the franchise in March this year. It is alleged that Mr Wilson, 36, from Lambeth, south London, acted in breach of the restraining order by attempting to contact Ms Broccoli 'without reasonable excuse' on 11 dates between April 2022 and April last year. Mr Wilson appeared on video link and pleaded not guilty to each charge at Southwark Crown Court on Tuesday. The court heard Mr Wilson, who wore glasses and a patterned jacket during the hearing, is currently in hospital. Bail conditions had been put in place at an earlier hearing and Judge Sally-Ann Hales KC ordered that they would continue. She told Mr Wilson he could not 'be in possession of any device that can access the internet' or contact Ms Broccoli directly or indirectly. He must also live and sleep each night in a location directed by the NHS, she said. His trial was set for July 19 2027, and Judge Hales added: 'I'm afraid that is the earliest date that the court can accommodate.' She granted that Ms Broccoli can give evidence behind screens 'given the nature of the allegations'. Mr Wilson is charged with acting in breach of the restraining order on April 1 and 19, May 19 and 25, June 30 and July 6 in 2022. He is also accused of doing so on March 10, April 12, 17, 20 and 22 in 2024. The 007 franchise had been controlled by members of the Broccoli family, either single-handedly or in partnership with others, since the first Bond film Dr No in 1962. Ms Broccoli and her half-brother produced the past nine Bond films, including Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, Spectre and No Time to Die. They have been made CBEs and won the outstanding British film Bafta for 2012's Skyfall along with director Sir Sam Mendes. Amazon gained creative control of the British spy franchise following a deal which saw Eon Productions, run by Mr Wilson and Ms Broccoli, become co-owners with Amazon MGM Studios. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Daily Mirror
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Incredible abandoned European town still 'so pretty' but locals cannot return
This southern Italian village was completely abandoned after landslides and earthquakes forced residents to leave, but the crumbling town is increasingly intriguing to travellers As ghost towns go, this one leans more stunning than spooky. Its dramatic setting on a hill in southern Italy gives this abandoned medieval town a distinct appeal for travellers, though it became too dangerous for former residents to remain. Craco is surely one of the most picturesque ghost towns in Europe, if not in the world. It sits on a clifftop between the valleys of the Agri and Salandrella-Cavone rivers. Before its ruin, the village had a prosperous past supposedly linked to the Templars. Craco was abandoned somewhat recently after an unfortunate series of natural disasters forced residents to pick up and move on. Almost all of the town's less than 2,000 inhabitants were moved to a settlement in a nearby valley after a landslide in 1963 - the last in a series of landslides that began at the end of the 19th century. Some contend that the landslides leading up to the 1963 disaster were caused by faulty pipework and excavations in the decades prior. Even the few inhabitants who chose to remain after the landslides were forced to leave when the village was devastated in 1972 by a flood. And when earthquakes hit the town in 1980, the remaining stragglers moved on, leaving it totally abandoned. Since then, Craco has remained relatively untouched and fuelled many mysterious legends. The town's fame became international when it was used as a location for the 2008 James Bond film James Bond, Quantum of Solace, and it continues to attract curious travellers. Craco has served as a filming location for many notable works, in fact. It was also chosen as the location for Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" and Francesco Rosi's "Cristo si è fermato a Eboli". Today, Craco is a collection of ruins though they highlight the rich ancient history of the area. Travellers will come upon ancient churches, such as the Mother Church of San Nicola and the Madonna della Stella church, and noble palaces, from palazzo Carbone to palazzo Grossi. The village has increasingly grown into disrepair as weekends sprout within the churches and balconies and weather-damaged properties continue to rust and disintegrate. That said, Craco has been included on a list of sites that are priorities of the World Monuments Fund. The town can only now be visited as part of guided tours, due to the instability of the buildings. Visitors are required to wear hard hats for their safety. Italy is home to quite a few abandoned towns, though Craco is arguably the most beautiful. Fossa is another Italian village that was left abandoned after natural disasters cause significant damage. When Matt Nadin travelled to Italy to explore the village of Fossa in the L'Aquila region of the country, he found many items had been left behind by families, including a mummified cat. Fossa had been inhabited for around 900 years until an earthquake struck in 2009. The quake caused severe damage to the village's buildings and left 308 people dead. Today the empty streets and abandoned buildings give the village the feeling of a ghost town. Another abandoned town that is gaining attention for the morbidly curious is Varosha. The once-thriving resort town was left abandoned after the Turkish army invaded the northern region of Cyprus on July 20, 1974. While the town remained closed to visitors for many years, in October 2020, a decision was made by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the then prime minister of Northern Cyprus, Ersin Tatar, to reopen the area to tourists. More than 1.8 million tourists have visited the ghost town in the last four years - according to statistics released in 2024.
Daily Record
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Next James Bond 'shouldn't be a woman' says 007 star
One iconic Bond girl is shaken rather than stirred by the idea of a female James Bond. Die Another Day Bond girl Halle Berry is shaken rather than stirred by the idea of a female James Bond. Berry made her feelings known on the subject as she arrived at the Cannes Film Festival this week, as she revealed whether she reckons a woman should be considered for the iconic 007 role. While serving on the jury for the Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday, the 58 year old actress addressed the ongoing discussion about replacing the fictional spy with a female lead in a future franchise. Weighing in on whether the iconic James Bond character should ever be played by a woman, she said: 'I don't know if 007 really should be a woman. In 2025, it's nice to say, 'Oh, she should be a woman.' But, I don't really know if I think that's the right thing to do." Berry previously played the character Giacinta 'Jinx' Johnson in the 2002 film Die Another Day alongside Pierce Brosnan as James Bond. The idea of a female 007 has been a hotly debated issue in Hollywood for nearly a decade. In 2017, Berry similarly dismissed Bond being played by a woman in favour of more original characters. "I don't know if Bond should be a woman," Berry said. "I mean, that series is steeped in history, you know, Ian Fleming's stories. I don't think you can change Bond to a woman." "We can create a new Bond character that's a woman, and give her a new name, based on that theory, but I don't know if Bond should be a woman," she added. Berry isn't the only former Bond girl who questioned the idea of gender-swapping the role over the years. In 2019, The Spy Who Loved Me actress Valerie Leon dismissed the idea when she argued that the character was always successful as a man. "He's a fantasy. So many men have wanted to be Bond and women have wanted to be with Bond. How can people fantasize about a woman as Bond? Men aren't going to go for a woman as a killer or an assassin," Leon said. In 2024, British actress Gemma Arterton, who starred in 2008's Quantum of Solace, said Hollywood should respect the tradition of the character and called out the absurdity of the idea. "Isn't a female James Bond like Mary Poppins being played by a man?" she asked. "They talk about it, but I think people would find it too outrageous." The most recent iteration of James Bond was played by British actor Daniel Craig in the 2021 film No Time to Die. Though Amazon MGM Studios recently made a deal to control the creative rights to the 007 character, there have been no announcements regarding the future of the franchise. However, both Ray Winstone and Pierce Brosnan have mooted the idea of a retired Bond becoming part of the franchise.
