James Bond
James Bond Composer David Arnold Recalls Collaborating with Chris Cornell for Casino Royale: “He Was the Most Normal Person”
Iconic British audio brand Bowers & Wilkins hosted a special event at London’s Abbey Road Studios on Thursday, November 10th, uniting audiophiles and James Bond diehards for a unique night of music (and, of course, martinis). Celebrating 60 years of iconic James Bond music, the event, dubbed The Sound of 007, featured an incredible live performance of Bond theme songs by the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra inside the storied Studio One. The orchestra was introduced by composer and songwriter David Arnold, who is known for five Bond films, as well as shows like Good Omens and BBC’s Sherlock. Speaking to Consequence in a most secret room at Abbey Road (no photos allowed, so you’ll have to take our word for it), Arnold recalls teaming up with the late Chris Cornell for “You Know My N...
How Austin Powers Made James Bond Take Itself Seriously Again
Upon its release in early May 1997, Mike Myers and Jay Roach’s Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery became a pop culture phenomenon. Born from Myers’ faux rock band, Ming Tea, it saw the Wayne’s World star employing his typical knack for quirky personas and clever parody to poke fun at 1960s British psychedelia and campy spy cinema. Consequently (and ironically), its irresistibly fun quips, characters, and look became a defining part of the late 1990s zeitgeist in America, England, and elsewhere. Primarily, International Man of Mystery — as well as its more successful, elaborate, and ridiculous sequels: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999) and Goldmember (2002) — was an affectionately astute and meticulously constructed send-up of the James Bond movies. In fact, Myers and company did such ...
2022 Oscars: Billie Eilish and FINNEAS Perform “No Time to Die”
Now, here’s a performance to die for: Billie Eilish took the stage at the 2022 Academy Awards — alongside her brother and collaborator FINNEAS — to sing “No Time to Die,” her Oscar-winning James Bond theme. The performance followed a 60th anniversary tribute to Bond held earlier in the evening. FINNEAS accompanied his sister on piano, singing backup vocals as she commanded the stage in a dramatic black blouse and trousers. As she crooned the delicate melody, a laser light show cut through the air around here, and a full orchestra swelled to meet the moment. Watch Eilish’s performance below, and check out the full winner’s list here. From the film of the same name, “No Time to Die” went on to win Best Original Song this year (it’s also accumulated trophies at the Golden Globes, Cr...
Shirley Bassey Sings “Diamonds Are Forever” at the BAFTAs: Watch
Dame Shirley Bassey kicked off the 2022 BAFTAs (British Academy Film Awards) on Sunday with a special tribute honoring the 60th anniversary of James Bond. The 85-year-old singer performed “Diamonds Are Forever,” her legendary theme to the 1971 Bond film of the same name. Elsewhere during the BAFTAs, Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood and HAIM’s Alana Haim appeared on stage together to accept Paul Thomas Anderson’s Best Original Screenplay trophy for Licorice Pizza. Haim starred in the film, while Greenwood composed its score. “Paul is going to be very excited to win this, not least because it means I’ve been forced to come and give a really awkward and inarticulate speech on his behalf which he will find very funny,” quipped Greenwood. Advertisement [embedded content] [embedded content] Shar...
007 Producers Reportedly “Discussing Possibilities” of Idris Elba Playing James Bond
HipHopWired Featured Video Source: David M. Benett / Getty Fans have been petitioning for veteran actor and sex symbol Idris Elba to play the role of James Bond, and it appears that it may be happening. According to Deadline, producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson recently shared how they decided on the ending of how to kill Daniel Craig’s Bond character before alluding to the other possibilities of how the next Bond film may unfold, discussing the notions of other 007 spinoffs, incorporating a future female director and of course, the largest speculation of all, Idris Elba as the next James Bond. Related Stories “The conversation began when we opened Casino Royale and Daniel and I were in Berlin.” She added that they faced additional challenges with alternate endings but stayed ...
Daniel Craig Honored by Queen with Same Title as James Bond
The Queen of England has honored James Bond actor Daniel Craig with the same title as 007 himself: the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG). Queen Elizabeth awarded Craig as part of her annual New Year Honours. The CMG is usually given to British citizens who work as foreign-service officers and diplomats, but in Craig’s case he was honored for his “services to film and theatre.” In the James Bond universe, the British super spy was fictionally given the title of CMG in Ian Flemming’s 1954 book You Only Live Twice. Craig and Bond also share the title of honorary Commander in the British Royal Navy. Advertisement Related Video Craig’s latest honor comes on the heels of his final bow as Bond in No Time to Die. He’s next set to star in the upcoming sequel to Knives Out. The Queen’s other 2...
The Pandemic Has Changed Movies, But There’s Still Big Bucks in Blockbusters
Our 2021 Annual Report continues with a deep dive into how COVID-19 has changed “event” movies. As December rolls along, stay tuned for more awards, lists, and articles about the best music, film, and TV of 2021. You can find it all in one place here. Spider-Man: No Way Home, which hit theaters in the US on December 16th, is poised to shatter box office records. One of the most anticipated blockbuster films of 2021 (maybe even of the last five years), all eyes are on Peter Parker and Co. to rake in the kind of cash that superheroes typically did in the Before Times. Of course, the film is about to smash said records in a very different world than when pre-production on it began in 2017. The COVID-19 pandemic has done astronomical damage to countless businesses, and the movie industry was n...
Ghislane Maxwell’s Lawyer Compares Jeffrey Epstein to James Bond, Doesn’t Seem to Know Who James Bond Is
On the first day of Ghislane Maxwell’s sex trafficking trial, her lawyer compared accused serial predator Jeffrey Epstein to a “21st century James Bond,” which is undoubtedly one of the strangest interpretations of the James Bond franchise in the history of film criticism. Before his death, which was ruled a suicide, Epstein had been arrested and accused of running a global sex trafficking ring involving adolescent girls. Maxwell was Epstein’s longtime partner and former girlfriend, and she’s standing trial on six counts of exploiting young girls. Prosecutors have alleged that she “assisted, facilitated, and contributed to” Epstein’s crimes. Via the New York Times, the defense contended today that Maxwell is a “scapegoat.” Her lawyer Bobbi C. Sternheim said, “Ever since Eve was accuse...
Denis Villeneuve “Would Deeply Love” to Make a James Bond Movie
If the latest James Bond film can be directed by an American, then anything is possible. Now that California native Cary Fogi Fukunaga’s No Time to Die has finally hit theaters, the door seems open for fellow US filmmakers to speculate about their own take on 007, including Denis Villeneuve. In a new interview on the podcast Happy. Sad. Confused., Villeneuve discussed his longtime dream to direct an installment in the Bond franchise, saying it would be “a privilege” and “pure cinematic joy.” “I would deeply love one day to make a James Bond movie,” the Dune director said. “It’s a character that I’ve been with since my childhood. I have massive affection for Bond. It would be a big challenge to try and reboot it after what Daniel did.” Villeneuve continued to rave about Daniel Cra...
Every James Bond Theme Song, Ranked
Deciding between the best James Bond theme song can be just as fun and, perhaps, controversial as deciding between the best James Bond film — or even best James Bond. A lot of the time you can judge a Bond film by its theme song, and vice versa. Every fan has a passionate take, and there really can be no wrong answer (except Moonraker). Almost two years after its initial release date, No Time to Die, the 25th Bond entry and last film for Daniel Craig, finally hits cinemas this week. In addition The Best of Bond… James Bond, the complete collection of theme songs is being updated and reissued on vinyl. To honor these releases, SPIN ranked the theme songs — we’ll leave the ranking of the films to everyone else though. 25. “Never Say Never Again” – Lani Hall (Never Say Never Again, 1983) [emb...
Ana de Armas Channels Former Bond Girl Barbara Bach With Her Sexy Gown at the No Time to Die Premiere
Ana de Armas was one of the many celebrities who wowed us with their red carpet fashion at the world premiere of No Time to Die, which was held at Royal Albert Hall in London last night. From shimmering sequined gowns to luxe velvet tuxedo jackets, it was clear the stars were excited to get dressed up for the occasion — and to pay homage to the glamour of the James Bond franchise. De Armas, however, who wore a custom Louis Vuitton gown, also seemed to want to pay homage to the Bond girls who came before her with her sartorial selection for the night. De Armas’s black Louis Vuitton dress featured a plunging neckline, a thigh-high slit, and embellished straps. And whilst many of her fellow Bond girls have worn slinky black dresses in the films, this dress seemed to evoke one Bond girl ...
Kate Middleton Lit Up the James Bond Red Carpet in a Glittering Gold Jenny Packham Gown
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, attended her first red carpet event in quite a while, and she certainly made an entrance. The duchess wore an opulent gold gown to the premiere of No Time to Die at London’s Royal Albert Hall on Tuesday, 28 Sept. There’s always a subtle reference with Kate’s statement outfits, and the James Bond premiere was no different. Eagle-eyed fans noticed that the twisted-front design and general silhouette of her dress was very similar to the gown Princess Diana wore to the 1985 premiere of another James Bond film, A View to a Kill. Kate’s gold Jenny Packham gown was likely a custom creation as it takes design cues from Packham’s Simona, Christina, and Margot gowns from the designer’s autumn/winter 2021 collection, according to Wh...
