Reel Fanatic

Of human Bond-age

This is direct from the mouth of MGM, via Ain't It Cool News for me.

It was announced today by producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, Inc, and Sony Pictures Entertainment that EVA GREEN has been cast to play the enticing Vesper Lynd opposite Daniel Craig in his debut appearance as James Bond in the highly anticipated 007 adventure thriller, CASINO ROYALE.

It was also announced that renowned Danish-born actor MADS MIKKELSEN has accepted the role of Le Chiffre, Bond's nemesis in the film and JEFFREY WRIGHT has joined the cast as Felix Leiter.

The rest is from me. Having seen Eva Green in Bertolucci's weird, wonderful "The Dreamers," I can attest that she certainly has the physical attributes requisite for a Bond girl, the proper mysterious accent and some good acting chops to boot. Good news indeed.

Even better might be the addition of Jeffrey Wright. I first saw him on Broadway with Mos Def in the disappointing play "Top Dog/Underdog." Both actors gave all they could for a script that didn't match their abilities. Since then, of course, Wright has taken off, and managed to steal "Broken Flowers" from Bill Murray in every frame they shared. The wit he showed there should pay off as he plays Bond's right-hand man Leiter.

Not familiar with Mikkelson whatsoever, and would have preferred Clive Owen over Daniel Craig as 007, but this is still shaping up to be a return to form for the temporarily slumping Bond franchise