Details of the latest James Bond film have been unveiled in the UK, 50 years to the day after Sean Connery was announced as the man to play the superspy in Dr No.
Daniel Craig returns as British secret agent James Bond in Skyfall, the 23rd instalment in one of the world's longest-running and most successful film franchises.
Director Sam Mendes assured fans that Bond's latest adventure would adhere to the high octane formula that has made the films an enduring genre.
"It, I think, has all the elements of a classic Bond movie, including, to quell any rumours, a lot of action," Mendes told reporters at the launch of the film in London today.
Spanish actor Javier Bardem will play the villain and Judi Dench returns as Bond's stern boss M in a cast that will also include Ralph Fiennes, Albert Finney, French actress Berenice Marlohe and Britain's Naomie Harris.
In keeping with Bond's globe-trotting legacy, the film's locations include London, Shanghai, Istanbul and Scotland.
Daniel Craig confirmed the cast and crew started filming today and said that he was feeling "very comfortable" playing Bond again before adding: "No turning back now!"
Harris revealed she will be playing a field agent called Eve and said she had spent two months in training for "the rollercoaster that's about to commence".
French actress Marlohe, who joins the cast as the latest Bond girl, described her character as "glamorous" and "enigmatic".
When asked if Craig and Bardem would be taking their tops off in the movie, producer Barbara Broccoli said: "Damn right!"
