'Bond 22' Hitting Theatres May 2nd, 2008

It's official. Producers for one of the longest running movie franchises in history have confirmed that uber-spy James Bond is coming back to the silver screen, and they've even set a date.

Reuters carries the story. "James Bond, headliner of one of the biggest film franchises in Hollywood history, will keep battling villains in his 22nd movie set for release on May 2, 2008, the film's producers said on Thursday. English actor Daniel Craig will return in the role of the suave British agent code named 007 after playing him for the first time in "Casino Royale," which is set to open in November."

It seemed obvious that a second Daniel Craig 007 movie was coming, since Craig and director Roger Michell's names had been tied to the project earlier in the week. The announcement confirms that Daniel Craig has beaten his detractors, which have disliked the idea of a blond James Bond.

Producers Michael Wilson and Barbara Broccoli released a statement today, in which they said "Daniel has taken the origins of Ian Fleming's James Bond portraying, with emotional complexity, a darker and edgier 007." While Daniel Craig is confirmed for 'Bond 22' and Roger Michell is rumored to direct, no plot description or title has been released for the film.

The Roger Michell rumor stems from an article in the Hollywood Reporter, which carried the quote "U.K.-based helmer Roger Michell is in negotiations to direct the follow-up to 'Casino Royale,' which has a working title of 'Bond 22'". As for rumors surrounding the plot of the next 007 movie, it's supposedly an original idea from Bond producer Michael Wilson.

A partnering of Daniel Craig and Roger Michell for Bond 22 wouldn't be the first time these two work together. Back in 2004, Michell directed Craig in Enduring Love. In the past, Michell has also directed the Samuel L. Jackson, Ben Affleck movie Changing Lanes, and the Hugh Grant romantic comedy Notting Hill. Michell's future projects include Venus and Fishing For Moonlight, starring Keanu Reeves.

As for James Bond himself, Daniel Craig has been an actor on the rise. Having done Enduring Love with Michell, Craig has also landed roles in Layer Cake and Munich, with several other projects on the go. Craig's role as James Bond in Casino Royale will place him in an elite crowd of ators to play the 007 agent, including Sean Connery, Timothy Dalton, George Lazenby, Roger Moore and Pierce Brosnan. By signing on to the second film, Craig will surpass Lazenby's tenure as James Bond, which saw him featured only on On Her Majesty's Secret Service.

[Additional Sources: Reuters, Washington Post, Hollywood Reporter]