Free Republic

Anyone who thinks to diverge even slightly from this now officially accepted view, to be held by everyone everywhere in the world on pain of excommunication, is a racist. We know this because of the recent experiences of children’s author Anthony Horowitz, who briefly committed heresy over the weekend when he dared to suggest that Elba was perhaps too “street” to play a suave, Eton-educated, Senior-Service-trained, half-Swiss, half-Scots secret agent.

James Bond writer says Adrian Lester would be a better Bond than Idris Elba; Twitter explodes; Update: Horowitz apologizes Folks are furious today at Anthony Horowitz, the British novelist chosen by Ian Fleming’s family to continue write James Bond novels, and some comments he made about the appropriateness of black actor Idris Elba as the next James Bond. First up, here is what Horowitz is quoted as saying in an interview he gave to the Daily Mail:

CNN)Have we seen the end of James Bond, the ladies' man? Probably not, but the actor who currently portrays him would like to think his version is more of a modern man. Daniel Craig recently told Esquire UK that he has some very specific thoughts about the character he will next portray in the upcoming "Spectre." "Hopefully, my Bond is not as sexist and misogynistic" as earlier incarnations, he said. "The world has changed. I am certainly not that person. But he is, and so what does that mean? It means you cast great actresses and make the parts as good...

She may be celebrating her 90th birthday but Bond girl Honor Blackman is not ready to slow down yet. Speaking to the Press Association from her house in Spain, she revealed she would still like to travel, watch more theatre and see more movies. Blackman found international stardom as Bond Girl Pussy Galore aged 38, alongside Sean Connery, in 1964′s Goldfinger.

We recently posted the betting odds for the artist who has been tapped to sing the new theme for Sam Mendes’ upcoming James Bond film, Spectre, but a new frontrunner has emerged. Apparently, an anonymous bettor wanted to place a £15,000 ($23,000) wager down on the English rock band Radiohead. (Mendes and Daniel Craig are both reported to be big fans, for what it’s worth.) That was a big enough chunk of change to necessitate a suspension of all betting on the Spectretheme by that particular bookie. And yet it’s clearly not going to stop the anticipation mounting for the 24th Bond film, which is due to open October 26th in...

In a move that seemingly confirms rumours swirling around the upcoming Bond film Spectre, singer Ellie Goulding has tweeted a message quoting one of the series most iconic lines. Without further explanation the singer, who recently sang ‘Love Me Like You Do’ for the 50 Shades of Grey feature, tweeted out to her followers the simlpe message: ‘Live and let die’. The tweet has seen the internet erupt in rumours and speculation that this confirms that Goulding will take the mantle from Adele in helming the Spectre theme. The other former-frount-runner Sam Smith also recently admitted to Capital FM that...

Others at link.

The Man with the Olden Gun: Sir Roger Moore reveals bid to bring back all the ex-James Bonds to star in a blockbuster together - but Sean Connery isn't keen. Seven time James Bond star Sir Roger Moore has revealed movie bosses are trying to shake-up the franchise by uniting all the men to have played 007 in one blockbuster film - but admitted Sir Sean Connery just can't be stirred. The screen icon has claimed producers are hoping to feature Sir Roger, Connery, George Lazenby, Timothy Dalton and Pierce Brosnan together on screen in a Bond equivalent of The...

Rumors that Damian Lewis could become the next James Bond have forced U.K. bookmakers to slash their odds on him taking the role. Meanwhile, 007 production company Eon Productions has released behind-the-scenes footage of the opening sequence of the latest Bond film, “Spectre.” Odds on the former “Homeland” star stepping into Daniel Craig’s shoes have tightened from 25/1 to 3/1, according to Britain’s biggest bookmaker William Hill. The bookie’s favorite remains former “The Wire” and “Luther” star Idris Elba, who is 5/2. Other actors in the running include Tom Hardy (4/1), Henry Cavill (5/1), Michael Fassbender (7/1) and Orlando Bloom...

Christopher Lee, the British film icon known for his roles in "Star Wars" and "Dracula," has died. He was 93.

With a voice that sounded as if it was preserved in oak and dark good looks straight out of a Bronte novel, it’s a surprise that Richard Johnson (who died today) never became an A-list film star. However, the career which he carved out on stage and screen was probably far more interesting – and durable – than a life at the mercy of a big studio would have allowed. Certainly his bid for the big time was thwarted early on. MGM, who had been impressed with his performance in Never So Few (1959), signed him to a multi-million pound...

“Spectre” movie which is just a couple of months away from its November release has been making waves online when its first poster has been revealed. The poster showed protagonist 007 James Bond wielding a Walther PPK 9.65mm and wearing a turtle neck. The much talked about poster was released after its first trailer premiered which showed the spy following a trail of clues that leads him to territories where he is not supposed to be.

According to sources, the 'Rolling In The Deep' hit-maker, who won an Academy Award, Golden Globe and a BRIT for 'Skyfall,' is one of the few artists who were asked to write and record the title track for ' Spectre,' reported the Daily Star.

Oscar-winning costume designer Julie Harris, who helped define the swinging looks of the 1960s and ’70s London, died May 30 in London. She designed for James Bond films “Casino Royale” and “Live and Let Die” as well as the Beatles’ “A Hard Day’s Night” and “Help.” She was 94 and had suffered a chest infection. Harris (no relation to the late actress Julie Harris) won an Academy Award for her mod designs in the 1967 Julie Christie-Dirk Bogarde film “Darling.” Over a four-decade career, she also served as costume designer on “Goodbye Mr. Chips,” “Rollerball,” the 1979 “Dracula” with Laurence...

After 50 years, Pussy Galore returns in latest Bond novel: New Anthony Horowitz book begins two weeks after end of Goldfinger mission Anthony Horowitz writing novel about James Bond temptress Pussy Galore. The story, called Trigger Mortis, is latest instalment in series based on 007 New book will begin in 1957 – just two weeks after the end of Goldfinger

Dame Shirley Bassey lives a solitary, almost mysterious life of luxurious semi-exile, earned over six decades of stardom, and sweetened by a rare ability to speak out when it matters. Last week, Shirley’s attention was caught by the phenomenon of female singers wearing revealing outfits at galas and premieres. The Dame did not approve

May 22, 1985 - Thirty Years ago, One of the Best summer movies started with the priemere of two movies - Rambo: First Blood Part II and Roger Moore's last as James Bond "A View to A Kill". The Bond series has been going down hill with the exception of The Living Daylights. Rambo First Blood would produce two sequels, one in 1988 and one in 2008.

Anthony Horowitz writes adult novels, teenage spy thrillers, children’s books, TV series, films, plays, journalism as well as fiction-in-the-style of other great writers. He has written in the ‘voice’ of Conan Doyle and Ian Fleming. He is also responsible for the widespread belief that there is a murderer behind every bush in a place called Midsomer in England, not to mention creating Foyle's War.

The actor Sir Roger Moore has accepted undisclosed libel damages over claims that he groped a woman while shooting James Bond film For Your Eyes Only. The 87-year-old also received an apology and his legal costs over a story that appeared in the Daily Mail and on Mail Online in October 2014.

Fifty years ago today and eight months after Ian Fleming’s death, The Man with the Golden Gun was published. The birth of the final James Bond novel was difficult and its merits within the canon are still debated among aficionados. Although Fleming had on many occasions claimed that he was finished with writing Bond books, he had completed the first draft of The Man with the Golden Gun by March 1964. After once again undertaking a Bond novel despite his rapidly deteriorating health, a word to his editor William Plomer at Jonathan Cape, rings with an eerie finality: “This is,...