Monday, November 27, 2006

Bond Is Going To Set New Records

I was wrong about the new Bond. I thought it was definitely a step in the right direction, but assumed that the low-key action and a draggy second half would keep it from being a world-beater. Instead, the great reviews and apparent audience satisfaction are pushing "Casino Royale" to record highs. It's already at $94 mil in the US and is almost certain to beat the $160 million US record of "Die Another Day." In the UK, it's at $53 million and will blast past the $57 million record of "DAD." Worldwide, it's already at $222 million, with the $431 million worldwide take of "DAD" also well within reach. Heck, it might even turn Japan into a nation of Bond lovers. (That country has always been blase about Bond.) Daniel Craig should be showered in champagne by the producers.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Saw it on Friday and LOVED it. Really excited with the direction they're taking the franchise. In my mind there are three tiers of Bond films...

1. The first four (my fav Connery versions)
2. The last four (with Brosnan)
3. Everything in between

I place Casino Royale firmly in the top tier, and Daniel Craig is the best Bond since Connery (who will never be topped) in my opinion.

I think part of the reason for the success is that this is the first truly modern take on one of the original Fleming novels thanks to the problems with the Broccoli clan getting the rights. Hopefully whoever writes the next screenplay stays more true to the spirit of Casino Royale than churning out another version of Die Another Day.

priv8pete said...

But as great as it does, it won't touch the inflation-adjusted worldwide grooo of $883 million for Thunderball or the $847 million for Goldfinger.

http://www.bondmovies.com/boxoffice.shtml

(thanks to Joe for this link)