85th Oscars to feature special celebration of James Bond

Los Angeles: The Academy Awards have typically overlooked James Bond films but this year`s ceremony will include a tribute to the superspy movie franchise, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Last year`s ‘Skyfall’ has become the first Bond film to gross more than USD 1 billion worldwide and the film marked 50 years of James Bond movies, starting with 1962`s ‘Dr No’. "We are very happy to include a special sequence on our show saluting the Bond films on their 50th birthday," producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron said in a statement. "Starting with `Dr No` back in 1962, the 007 movies have become the longest-running motion picture franchise in history and a beloved global phenomenon." The 85th Academy Awards nominations will be announced live on January 10 in the Academy`s Samuel Goldwyn Theater. Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2012 will be presented on Oscar Sunday, February 24, 2013, at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center, and televised live on the ABC Television Network. PTI