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Many Bond fans have found the last few days hard to process after the death of Sean Connery. For many he has never been bettered.

Remembering Sean Connery

The first actor to play Ian Fleming’s secret agent in a feature film died in his sleep at his home in Nassau last Saturday. Connery’s son, Jason, said that the the actor had been ill for some time and it was clear from photos taken in the last couple of years that the actor had become quite frail. His widow later revealed he had been suffering from dementia. 

More than anywhere else in the world, James Bond is a cultural phenomenon in the UK. Bond is entwined in many people’s childhoods, with memories of rainy bank holidays in front of the television as a Bond film came on ITV. So it is little surprise that the Sunday newspapers covered his death on the front page.

But it wasn't only Sean Connery we lost since the last newsletter. 

No Time to Die

In early October Daniel Craig appeared on Jimmy Fallon’s Tonight Show. While it would have originally been part of the promotional effort ahead of No Time to Die’s November release, instead Craig touched on the reason for the delay. He did, however, introduce a new clip from the film. 

The Wall Street Journal published an interview with No Time to Die director Cary Fukunaga. Fukunaga discusses the challenges of directing a film with such a large budget as well as the delays and how they have affected him. The interview includes a fairly significant spoiler.

Meanwhile, the delay to 2021 helped MGM's shareholders focus on turning a profit somehow. First it was reported that there was pressure to find a buyer for MGM.

Then it emerged MGM had discussed selling No Time to Die's streaming rights. It was later revealed they were asking too much and the talks came to nothing. The studio valued the streaming rights t $650M+ according to these reports.
 

MI6 Confidential magazine

Issues #55 and #56 of the full-colour James Bond magazine MI6 Confidential are now shipping worldwide.

As the filmmaking world comes to terms with developing, shooting and marketing mass entertainment in an uncertain COVID environment, issue #55 casts our attention back at sunnier times. 
 

Other news

U2 is the subject of a new book by Eoghan Lyng, who has written numerous articles for The James Bond Dossier over the last few years.

While Sunspel dressed James Bond in Casino Royale they have now produced a Winter 2020 collection inspired by Ian Fleming, who was an advocate of the Sea Island cotton used in Sunspel’s most luxurious garments.
 

 

Articles

Kathryn Smith returns to John Gardner’s continuation novels with Icebreaker. 

Icebreaker: a review

 

James Bond & Friends podcast

The latest episodes of James Bond & Friends are now available on Apple Podcasts and elsewhere. These are fun to record and the response has been hugely positive. You can listen to the most recent episodes below:

• Episode 0068: Watchalong with Thunderball
• Episode 0069: Remembering Sir Sean Connery
• Live video panel

 

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That's all for November. If there is any big news regarding No Time to Die I'll let you know but otherwise expect me in your inbox in early December.

See you then!

David Leigh
The James Bond Dossier

PS Don't miss the special offer pricing on MI6 Confidential magazine. You can sign up for the complete 2020 season of five issues and pay for just four plus delivery.

 

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The James Bond Dossier