Casino Royale, the 21st James Bond movie produced in 45
years, will have its first screening today on the Chinese
mainland.
The movie was not cut in any way after examination by the State
Administration of Radio, Film, and TV (SARFT).
Daniel Craig arrived in
Beijing yesterday.
The entire production crew, including controversial new "Bond"
Daniel Craig, Bond girl Eva Green, director Martin Campbell, and
producers Michael Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, will attend
premieres in Beijing today and in Shanghai tomorrow.
No "Black Monday" for James Bond
The new Bond movie chose to make its debut on Monday, confident
of breaking the traditional box office "Black Monday" curse with a
high-profile promotion and its captivating story.
In addition to the premieres in two big cities, the crew also
plans to visit the Forbidden City and the Great Wall during its
three-day journey in China. Film producer Michael Wilson has made a
special request to watch the flag-raising ceremony in Tian'anmen
Square.
The premiere on Monday is the first of "Hollywood standard" to
ever be held in China. The organizers invested a great deal of
effort and took careful consideration in the process and scene
design to make sure the premiere matched the movie's style.
The high-profile new Bond movie is expected to be the first to
rake in 100 million yuan at the box office this year.
The ugliest James Bond--and the best?
The focus of the movie falls on British actor Daniel Craig, the
controversial choice to play the new James Bond, replacing the
popular Pierce Brosnan. Angry fans say he is too blond and ugly to
serve in Her Majesty's Secret Service.
However, Craig decided not to step into Sean Connery's old
shoes. He's brought the audience a fresh new James Bond. "It's the
first mission for Bond as an exclusive spy," said director Martin
Campbell. "He has so much to learn. At first, he screws up with not
much consideration. But in the end, he gradually becomes the Bond
we have known for years."
"Craig's Bond is more real and human compared to old ones," he
said.
Casino Royale has earned over US$563 million at the box
office since it opened globally in November of last year, making it
the best-performing in one of the world's most successful movie
franchises.
Spokespeople for MGM and Sony have said Daniel Craig would
continue to play James Bond on his 22nd mission in 2008.
(CRI January 29, 2007)
