James Bond 23 Scheduled, Sam Mendes to Direct

With MGM’s financial situation settled, the studio is pushing forward with its major, moneymaking titles, and aside fromThe Hobbitthat means one name in particular: James Bond.

After months of delays, the twenty-third James Bond movie has been officially handed the green light to start production in late 2011. MGM is aiming to release the continuation, temporarily titledBond 23, on November 9, 2012.

Sam Mendes (American Beauty,Road to Perdition) has long been attached as a“consultant,” due to MGM’s crippling debt, but is now officially directing the movie, which is expected to pick up after Quantum of Solace. Daniel Craig is returning to play 007.

Neal Purvis, Robert Wade and John Logan wrote the script.

Of course, this opens the floodgates for Bond girl rumors for the next six months or so where every“it” actress is named as a possible temptress. So let’s get started, shall we? Any favorites for the coveted Bond girl role?  Rachel Weisz?  Ashley Greene?  A career resurgence for Jennifer Connelly?  Joan Rivers?  Who would you pick?

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