New Casino Royale smashes 007 box-office record

pacific breeze · November 19th, 2006, 02:23 PM

Studio claims 007 box office coup
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6157066.stm

Casino Royale has smashed a Bond box office record, taking more in its first day of release than any previous 007 film, says Columbia Pictures.

The film, which features Daniel Craig's first outing as the super-spy, sold £1.7m of tickets in the UK on Thursday.

The figure is more than twice as much as the previous record-holder, 2002's Die Another Day, took in its first day.

An anti-piracy group has reported that pirate copies of the film have already appeared for sale in London.

"The rapid appearance of this film on the streets shows the sophistication and organisation behind film piracy in the UK, " said Kieron Sharp, from the Federation Against Copyright Theft.

"Film piracy is a crime being committed on UK streets, in markets and online and one that generated over £270 million for criminals in the UK alone," he added.

Michael G Wilson, the producer of the film said he was "disappointed although not entirely surprised" that it had already been pirated.

"The public must be made aware that piracy deprives film makers of capital needed to make new films, and so, hurts the consumer," he said.

China censors

Casino Royale has been approved by China's censors, and will be the first 007 film to be screened in the country.

Authorities have previously disapproved of the violent and sexual content of the film franchise, reported film industry magazine Variety.

"We are extremely pleased that the film has passed and expect it to be one of the highest-grossing films next year in China," said Li Chow, Sony Pictures' general manager in the country.

The film is expected to hit China's cinemas in January 2007.

Casino Royale is the 21st Bond film, and early reviews have praised Craig's gritty and complex performance in the lead role.

The movie is an adaptation of Ian Fleming's first Bond novel and is one of the few without gadget-maker Q or much-loved secretary Miss Moneypenny.

It opens in 27 countries, including the US and Russia, this weekend.

Elisa · November 19th, 2006, 06:26 PM

This surprises me. I don't find Daniel Craig the least bit attractive and I've read that the feedback on him has not been good.

My take is that 007 fans have simply waited too long time for a Bond movie and wanted to see it regardless.

LynnieD · November 19th, 2006, 06:46 PM

I think he might be a good Bond. I don't know squat about this guy, but he seems like a decent guy. And not horrible to look at imho....

suede · November 19th, 2006, 08:23 PM

I saw it this weekend - it was the best Bond in quite a few years.

The story line was traditional Bond, with that Bond witt and Daniel Craig to my own surprise as well, was fantastic as Bond.

It was well worth the 10 bucks and I have not been able to say that about a movie or Bond movie in a long time.

Somerset · November 19th, 2006, 08:43 PM

I saw this on Friday and quite enjoyed. Craig is just dripping with sex appeal throughout the entire thing.

SVZ · November 19th, 2006, 08:46 PM

Craig isn't much to look at, but he IS a great actor. He was awesome in Layer Cake

Somerset · November 19th, 2006, 08:49 PM

^^I absolutely disagree with that. I couldn't take my eyes off him the entire time. Just because he doesn't have a "pretty" face doesn't mean he can't be sexy as all hell. I'd take him over some pretty-faced mama's boy like Ryan Phillipe or Jude Law any day.

SVZ · November 19th, 2006, 08:50 PM

Well people can exude sex appeal without looking nice (For me Clive Owen falls in to this group too

). When I first look at Craig I think "Bad Guy" but he is a really good actor, you really start liking (and rooting for him) in Layer Cake, which is kinda Bond-ish.

Somerset · November 19th, 2006, 08:55 PM

I do agree that he is an excellent actor, and he definitely has those qualities you mention in this movie. He does have a way of making you root for him unequivocally. He's probably the most talented actor cast as Bond ever.