Daniel Craig's second outing as James Bond in the 22nd movie in the 007 series has been delayed until November 7th 2008..

Bond 22 Delayed
2nd September 2006

Columbia Pictures confirmed to the Hollywood Reporter on Thursday that "Bond 22" -- the yet-to-be-named James Bond film that will be produced after November's "Casino Royale" - will open November 7th 2008, rather than the original date of May 2nd 2008.

According to the report, Sony Pictures Entertainment vice chairman Jeff Blake said the studio, along with partners MGM and British production company EON Productions, are in talks to bring on a new director after Roger Michell ("Notting Hill") bowed out of the project. No new names have been mentioned.

The new date also gives the filmmakers the standard two years to complete the next film -- the usual time between Bond movies. "Eighteen months was a very short window," Blake said. "We're going to stay the course."

Daniel Craig, who will be seen for the first time in the fall as the newest James Bond, already has signed for a repeat performance for the 22nd Bond film. He is contracted for three films.

The story and title for the 22nd James Bond film has yet to be announced.

MI6 exclusively reported on August 15th that British screenwriter Richard Curtis was rumoured to be penning the story for Bond 22, and that regular Bond scribes Neal Purvis and Robert Wade were no longer on the project.

Back on July 20th, Eon Productions issued a statement on Bond 22: "As we wrap production on CASINO ROYALE we couldn't be more excited about the direction the franchise is heading with Daniel Craig. Daniel has taken the origins of Ian Fleming's James Bond portraying, with emotional complexity, a darker and edgier 007," said Wilson and Broccoli.

Above: Daniel Craig as James Bond 007

About Eon Productions
EON Productions is owned by the Broccoli family and is the most successful film series in history. The most recent adventure, DIE ANOTHER DAY (2002), was also the highest grossing film in the franchise bringing in almost $430 million in worldwide box office receipts. THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH (1999) grossed $353 million, TOMORROW NEVER DIES released in 1997, grossed more than $340 million around the world and GOLDENEYE, took in $345 million.

The enduring film franchise created by the late producer, Albert R. (Cubby) Broccoli, was launched in 1962 with DR. NO starring Sean Connery, who went on to play James Bond in FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE, GOLDFINGER, THUNDERBALL, YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE and DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER. George Lazenby had one outing as 007, in ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE, before Roger Moore took over the role in LIVE AND LET DIE, THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN, THE SPY WHO LOVED ME, MOONRAKER, FOR YOUR EYES ONLY, OCTOPUSSY and A VIEW TO A KILL. Timothy Dalton later inherited the role and played the famed spy in THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS and LICENCE TO KILL. The most recent James Bond was Pierce Brosnan, who starred in the global blockbusters GOLDENEYE, TOMORROW NEVER DIES, THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH and DIE ANOTHER DAY.