Bond Is Back!

Remember those gloom-and-doom predictions about the “007” franchise? MGM announced today that Daniel Craig is set to return as Bond ... James Bond.

Production on the as-yet-titled 23rd Bond film begins later this year, and has a Nov. 9, 2012 release date. Sam Mendes will direct a script by Neal Purvis, Robert Wade and John Logan. No word yet on plot details or a villain, but the film will pick up after “Quantum of Solace.”

Judi Dench will reprise her role as M.

From Deadline:

The reason for the 007 delay is this: [Barbara] Broccoli and [Michael G.] Wilson [of EON Productions] had been in pre-production on Bond #23 for release in 2011 but then it took almost a year for MGM’s future to sort itself out what with the failed auction sale of the studio, then the pre-packaged bankruptcy getting approval, and eventually Spyglass taking over studio filmmaking.

Meanwhile star Daniel Craig filled in the time with various film commitments which he had to finish. The actor began work on the Hollywood remake of the Swedish original The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo as soon as he completed shooting Cowboys and Aliens in a nifty bit of schedule coordination between two studios and James Bond rights holders Broccoli and Wilson.

Mendes at first was brought on as a “consultant” because of the delays, and is now officially the director.