Keeping the Bond with JA
COULD the next James Bond film be shot in Jamaica?
Internet reports indicate that the latest installation of the series, which is still untitled, will see scenes shot in Norway with principal filming in Jamaica and the United Kingdom.
According to the Daily Mail, American film-maker Cary Joji Fukunaga, who will direct the spy saga’s latest edition, is heading to Norway with a crew to shoot a frozen lake scene before it thaws. The footage, it is said, will be incorporated into the pre-credit scenes for Bond 25, starring Daniel Craig.
Reports also state that producers had approached Academy Award winner Lupita Nyong’o to play a new female MI6 agent, but she was unable to accept the role due to prior commitments.
Jamaica’s film commissioner, Renee Robinson, said she had seen the reports but declined to say whether talks were underway with the film’s producers.
“I have been seeing these reports and all I can say at this time is that they are unconfirmed. From the position of the film commission, all I am prepared to say at this time is that these reports are not confirmed,” said Robinson.
Jamaica is the genesis of James Bond which was written by British novelist Ian Flemming, who was also a journalist and naval intelligence officer. He wrote the James Bond novels at his Jamaican retreat Golden Eye, located in St Mary on Jamaica’s north-east coast. That property is currently owned by music mogul Chris Blackwell who operates it as an exclusive, luxury resort.
The Jamaican connection continued in 1962 with the first film in the franchise, Dr No, being shot throughout the country. Jamaican actor Reggie Carter and beauty queen Marguerite LeWars landed roles in the film which starred Sean Connery. Byron Lee and The Dragonaires also appeared in Dr No and performed some of the music on the soundtrack along with guitarist Ernie Ranglin and band leader Carlos Malcolm.
In 1973 Bond returned to Jamaica with Live and Let Die which starred Roger Moore.
Jamaica again made the Bond script in the form of actress Grace Jones. She played May Day in 1985’s A View To A Kill.
The release date for the latest James Bond flick is April 8, 2020. Craig, who will be in his fifth and final outing as the British spy, previously appeared in Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, Skyfall and Spectre. He will be joined by Academy Award winner Rami Malek as the yet-to-be-named main villain, Lea Seydoux as Madeleine Swann, Ralph Fiennes as M, Naomie Harris as Moneypenny, and Ben Whishaw as Q.
