James Bond returns for 23rd time with `Skyfall`

London: James Bond is preparing for his 23rd adventure on the big screen with the next film `Skyfall`, which will see Daniel Craig returning as the fictional spy for the third time.

Directed by Academy-award-winner Sam Mendes, the new 007 film will go into production on November 7 with a release date set for October 26, 2012 in UK and November 9, 2012 for North America, Producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli announced here today while presenting the cast of the new movie, titled `Skyfall`. In the new film, Bond`s loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost. "We`re so delighted to have Sam Mendes direct Skyfall and be working once again with Daniel Craig. We`ve a great script, an extraordinary cast and an incredibly talented creative team for this latest James Bond adventure," said Wilson and Broccoli. The film, from Albert R Broccoli`s Eon Productions, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios and Sony Pictures Entertainment, is written by Neal Purvis & Robert Wade and John Logan. Apart from Craig and Judi Dench, the starcast includes some heavyweights names like Oscar-winner Javier Bardem as the Bond nemesis, Naomie Harris and Berenice Marlohe as Bondgirls. Other names include Ralph Fiennes, Albert Finney and Ben Whishaw. The Director of Photography is Roger Deakins, a nine-time Oscar nominee who previously shot `Revolutionary Road` for Mendes. PTI