Exclusive: MI6 can reveal that production of the 22nd James Bond film will be based at Pinewood Studios in the UK, with shooting scheduled for January 2008...

Bond 22 Returns To Pinewood
6th June 2007

Although producers are yet to announce a director, one keystone in the 22nd James Bond film has fallen in to place. MI6 can exclusively reveal that Pinewood Studios will be home to Daniel Craig's second outing as 007.

Bond Back Home Producer Michael G. Wilson hinted last month that they hoped to "get back in to Pinewood and be in familiar surroundings on our old stomping ground again", but that "London is one of the most expensive cities in the world, especially when you're bringing actors in from outside the country". Despite a modern-day record exchange rate between Pound Sterling and the US Dollar, Pinewood has succeeded in the battle for Bond against Barrandov Studios in the Czech Republic, which hosted a large proportion of Casino Royale (the only set built at Pinewood for Casino Royale was the sinking house in Venice). Barrandov did put in a strong bid to host Bond 22, but the potential cost savings, which were attractive for the Casino Royale production, did not outweigh the advantages of shooting at Pinewood this time around. MI6 can confirm that the deal between Pinewood and Eon Productions was signed at the Cannes Film Festival.

Production Schedule
The newly rebuilt 007 Stage will once again be central to the schedule, and Bond 22 is expected to take up much of Pinewood's lot. Pre-production and set construction is expected to begin late this year. Filming is due to start in January 2008 with Daniel Craig resuming his duties as 007 for a theatrical release on 7th November 2008. No details on foreign shooting locations are available yet, as no official announcements have been made.

The New 007 Stage
Just after work on Casino Royale had wrapped last July, the world famous 007 Stage was wrecked by fire - again. Like a phoenix from the flames, the stage was rebuilt and opened for business last month.

The new stage is currently the largest in Europe with an internal area of 59,000 sq ft and an immense tank capable of holding 5.25 million litres. A number of features that have been incorporated to enable filmmakers to get the most out of the stage include a vehicle access ramp directly into the tank, aircraft hangar style loading doors, and improved sound proofing.

The world famous 007 stage at Pinewood was built in 1976 for the Bond movie "The Spy Who Loved Me" and has since housed some of the most spectacular sets in cinema history. Ahead of Bond 22, ironically, former James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan will be one of the first to use the new 007 Stage for the production of "Mamma Mia!" later this month.

Pinewood Shepperton PLC images used with permission; not to be reproduced.