The 24th Bond movie will be titled Spectre after the evil global terrorist organisation first introduced by Ian Fleming in the 1961 novel Thunderball, it was revealed today.
At a live-streamed press conference from Pinewood Studios, producers also confirmed previous reports that the new film will feature Christoph Waltz and Léa Seydoux among the supporting cast.
The introduction of Spectre, an acronym for Special Executive for Counter-intelligence, Terrorism, Revenge and Extortion, marks a definitive return to old school 007 territory on behalf of Bond production company Eon and studio Sony, though it remains to be seen how the new incarnation will be realised.
Eon only regained the rights to use Spectre in 007 movies last year after resolving a longstanding dispute with the estate of late Bond producer Kevin McClory, who died in 2006. The Irish film-maker was legally co-credited with introducing the nefarious organisation in the 1965 film version of Thunderball, and had maintained limited rights to use it in his own 007 movies (including the unofficial Sean Connery entry Never Say Never Again in 1983.)
Dave Bautista, Monica Bellucci and Andrew Scott, playing “Whitehall newcomer Denby” have also signed on. The new film will begin shooting in London, Rome, Mexico City, the Alps and Morocco next week and Bond will drive a new Aston Martin DB10 exclusively for the movie.
It was not confirmed whether two-time Oscar-winner Waltz will play Spectre’s usual head honcho, iconic Bond villain Ernst Stavro Blofeld, as reported last month. Ralph Fiennes, Ben Whishaw and Naomie Harris are due to return as the new M, Q and Moneypenny respectively, with Daniel Craig taking the role of 007 for the fourth time. One notable omission from the cast list was Stephen Hawking, whose ambition to play a Bond baddie will have to wait a little longer.
Reaction on Twitter was generally positive, and mostly pun-based.
"Can't wait to see all the attacks in Spectre. Attacks in Spectre. A tax inspector." - Expect more of this type of joke for the next year.
— Matt Looker (@marziepanic) December 4, 2014
15 seconds I've been on my timeline. That's quite enough with the "what rhymes with Spectre" jokes. You're all very clever. Have a biscuit.
— Grand Theft Jimbo (@jimxant) December 4, 2014
With a few pundits proving their Bond history prowess.
New Bond Teaser Poster Features Stylized Version of the Old SPECTRE Logo http://t.co/af17Y38bf5 pic.twitter.com/29Xeuw9yH4
— Peter Sciretta (@slashfilm) December 4, 2014
'Guardians' star Dave Bautista is confirmed for 'Spectre' as Mr. Hinx, a likely henchman: http://t.co/coGz91n4ch pic.twitter.com/ZBi3klMm5G
— The Film Stage (@TheFilmStage) December 4, 2014
Sam Mendes’s second turn as director, following the $1bn box office success of 2012’s Skyfall, is now due in cinemas on 6 November next year.
