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Royals shaken and stirred at Bond premiere
2008-10-29
LONDON (AFP) - Princes William and Harry joined James Bond actor Daniel Craig and a host of other stars on the red carpet at the world premiere of new 007 film "Quantum of Solace" in London Wednesday. Craig, 40, who received the biggest cheer of the night from hundreds of excited fans, was dressed in black tie but had his arm in a sling after an operation on a shoulder which he hurt doing stunts for the film. He was joined by Oscar-winning actress Dame Judi Dench -- no-nonsense spymaster "M" in the film -- plus Bond girls Olga Kurylenko and Gemma Arterton and celebrity Bond fans like actor Robbie Coltrane and model Elle Macpherson. The 22nd Bond film is Craig's second outing as the fictional British spy and picks up where "Casino Royale" left off following the death of his lover Vesper Lynd and with the character broken-hearted and full of suspicion. It is another dark portrait of Bond but still features plenty of the traditional rooftop chases, hand-to-hand combat scenes and stunts shot in glamorous locations including Panama, Chile, Italy, Austria and Mexico. Asked what the film's title meant, Craig told AFP: "It's basically the moment of peace in yourself -- if you can find your quantum of solace, it means you've figured out what life's about. "It's the moment in a relationship if you don't have it, it's over." It was also the name of a short story in Bond creator Ian Fleming's 1960 anthology "For Your Eyes Only". The film is noticeably short on the love scenes which have become a Bond staple. Craig, who appeared with film producer girlfriend Satsuki Mitchell on his arm, said this was because "the man's just had his heart broken. It would just contradict the plot somewhat if he'd jumped into bed with 10 women". Although some Bond fans criticised the choice of the blonde Craig to play the traditionally dark-hard suave spy in 2005, he won over most critics with a tough but sophisticated performance in "Casino Royale". Director Marc Forster told AFP Craig was "the best Bond ever", while Graham Rye, editor of the fan magazine 007, described him as "a compelling actor". "Although physically he doesn't resemble him at all, he brings the spirit of Bond's character back to the films," he said. "You have to watch him. He's got a physicality about him. He is in command, which Bond should always be." Dench, who sported a temporary "007" tattoo on her neck for the occasion, also paid tribute to Craig's acting skills, adding it was "lovely" to be part of another Bond production. She has played "M" since 1995. "To be part of a Bond, you work under great circumstances. I got to go to Panama. You're very lucky -- lucky to be employed, I think!" she joked. "Casino Royale" -- the most lucrative of all Bond films, clearing more than 300 million dollars (200 million euros) at the box office worldwide -- rebooted the franchise and depicted Bond at the start of his career. The new film's story begins just an hour after the last one ended with a heartbroken 007 tracking down the mysterious Mr. White. Princes William and Harry -- who stepped onto the red carpet to the famous Bond theme music -- spent around half an hour talking to members of Britain's armed forces outside the cinema in Leicester Square before going inside. With Remembrance Day approaching, the pair, who both serve in Britain's forces, had asked for funds raised at the glitzy premiere to go towards supporting two charities that help war veterans. The movie is released on Friday in Britain and Ireland, November 14 in North America and November 19 in Australia.
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