TOMB RAIDER STAR TAPS JAMES BOND 007
Copyright 2005 Sony Pictures Press Release

[ October 14th 2005 ]

It was announced today by producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. and Sony Pictures Entertainment, that DANIEL CRAIG has been cast in the role of the legendary British secret agent, James Bond, in the highly anticipated 007 adventure thriller CASINO ROYALE.

CASINO ROYALE will be the 21st James Bond film produced by the franchise holders, EON Productions. The MGM/Columbia Pictures production begins shooting in January and is due for release worldwide on November 17, 2006. It will be filmed in the Czech Republic, the Bahamas, Italy and the UK.

Born in 1968, DANIEL CRAIG was raised on the Wirral nr. Liverpool. He moved to London to join the National Youth Theatre at the age 17 and continued his training at the London Guildhall School of Music and Drama. CRAIG has since become regarded as one of Britain's finest actors securing a variety of roles in television, theatre and film.

Recent film credits include Sam Mendes' The Road to Perdition, The Mother, Sylvia, and last year he received much critical acclaim for Matthew Vaughn's Layer Cake as well as Roger Michell's Enduring Love. He has also starred opposite Angelina Jolie in Lara Croft Tomb Raider.

Wilson and Broccoli said "It has been a long time ambition for us to film the first book in the series, CASINO ROYALE, which defined the complex character of James Bond. We are thrilled DANIEL CRAIG will play the character of 007. Daniel is a superb actor who has all the qualities needed to bring a contemporary edge to the role.

"CASINO ROYALE will have all the action, suspense and espionage that our audiences have come to expect from us but nevertheless takes the franchise in a new and exciting direction."