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MI6 reports from the World Premiere of the 21st
James Bond film Casino Royale in Leicester Square,
from the red carpet to the aftershow party...
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Casino Royale World Premiere Report
15th November 2006
The 21st James Bond film Casino Royale took
over Leicester Square in London last night (Tuesday 14th November
2006) as the Royal
World Premiere secured three major theatres to break new records.
Three of London's flagship cinemas - the Odeon Leicester Square,
the
Empire, and the Odeon West End - all combined via video link
to create the most attended film premiere ever held in the UK,
as 4200 attendees shared the experience. MI6 reports from the red
carpet...
Above: A thousand cameras flashed when Daniel Craig walked
the red carpet. |
The park in the centre of the square was closed
off for everyone except ticket holders as the red carpet rolled
around to all
three theatres. Amongst the props on display was the new Aston
Martin DBS and a large video screen which allowed the thousands
of fans on the other side of the barriers to watch the action,
some of whom had queued for up to five hours to get a glimpse
of the cast.
Cast and crew and special guests started to arrive at 6:45pm,
and some were interviewed on the blue carpet bridge towards the
Odeon cinema and broadcast to all three theatres as well as the
crowd outside.
Above: Eva Green and Daniel Craig sign autographs for
the fans.
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Those who had waited were not disappointed as members of the
cast signed many autographs along the railings for the fans who
had weathered the rain throughout the afternoon. Daniel Craig
made a special effort to meet and greet hundreds of people, often
using their cameras so he could take a picture of himself alongside
the lucky fans. Posters, books, banners, advertising hoardings
and many more items were signed.
Above: The "Bond Girls": Caterina Murino, Eva Green and
Dame Judi Dench on the red carpet.
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The world premiere of the film is also the 60th Royal Film Performance,
and will benefit the Film & Television Benevolent Fund (CTBF),
whose patron is Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and The Duke of Edinburgh arrived
at 7:30pm as their car drew up outside the Odeon Leicester Square.
They were introduced to members of the CTBF organisation and
Odeon cinemas, before proceeding to the traditional line-up of
the film's cast and crew. Producer Michael G. Wilson introduced
Her Majesty to the guests, starting with Sony chief Howard Stringer,
Sony Pictures toppers Amy Pascal and Michael Lynton, Columbia
marketing chairman Jeff Blake and MGM chairman Harry Sloan.
Above: Mads Mikkelsen (Le Chiffre) and Giancarlo Giannini
(Mathis) greet fans.
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Prominent members of the production crew were next in line,
including costume designer Lindy Hemming, casting director Debbie
McWilliams, titles designer Daniel Kleinman, special effects
chief Chris Corbould, stunt coordinator Gary Powell, production
designer Peter Lamont, screenwriters Neal Purvis and Robert Wade,
composer David Arnold, director Martin Campbell and producer
Barbara Broccoli.
The Queen was then introduced to the main players: Caterina
Murino, Jeffrey Wright, Dame Judi Dench, Mads Mikkelsen, Eva
Green and Daniel Craig.
Above: Daniel Craig signs hundreds of autographs and
takes pictures with fans.
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A royal fanfare on stage introduced the national anthem, for
which attendees across all theatres stood as Her Majesty entered.
Sir Richard Attenborough gave the Royal Address on stage, noting
that he had a small role in the film at the first Royal Performance
sixty years ago, and that the event had already raised at least £300,000
for the charity.
Above: Daniel Craig is interviewed on the stage which
is broadcast to all three theatres and a big video screen
for the fans outside the event.
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Producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli were then introduced
on stage, and then presented the main players of the film ahead
of the screening.
Almost two and a half hours later, 4200 attendees cheered the
film with a long round of applause. Her Majesty then left the
theatre in a Bentley without tinted windows, so that she could
greet the hundreds of fans lining the streets outside.
Above: Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and The Duke of
Edinburgh arrive at the Odeon.
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Cast and crew and selected guests then proceeded to the £250,000
after-show party at Mayfair's Berkeley Square. Daniel craig and
girlfriend Satsuki Mitchell were the star attraction, but Craig
opted for Guinness rather than a trademark vodka martini, as
he told party-goers that there was only so much of Bond's tipple
of choice he could stomach. Eva Green changed from her Alexander
McQueen designed gown that she wore on the red carpet to a sweeping
red velvet dress.
Meanwhile, guests mingled and dabbled at the
casino tables dotted around the venue. Shortly after midnight,
Craig loosened his
bowtie, unbuttoned his collar and left the party. Many guests
stayed on until 2am celebrating the latest Bond film, which
many said was the best for years.
Above: The Queen is introduced
to Mads Mikkelsen (left) and Daniel Craig (right) by
producer Michael G. Wilson.
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Produced by Michael G. Wilson and
Barbara Broccoli (Eon Productions) and directed by Martin
Campbell, CASINO ROYALE is scheduled for release on November
16, 2006 in the UK. Principal photography
started on January 30th 2006, with locations in the UK, Czech
Republic (Prague),
Italy, and the Bahamas. It will be British actor Daniel Craig’s
first outing as James Bond. He is the sixth actor to play
the 007 role in the franchise.
The film also stars Judi Dench, Eva Green, Mads
Mikkelsen, Jeffrey Wright, Giancarlo Giannini, Caterina Murino,
Simon Abkarian, Tobias Menzies, Ivana Milicevic, Clemens Schik,
Ludger Pistor, Claudio Santamaria and Isaach de Bankole.
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