Now we know why they were in a rush to start production, without casting the villian or love interest.
Daniel Craig, cinema’s newest James Bond, has embarked on his first 007 flick — sans leading lady and arch-nemesis.
Sony’s “Casino Royale” kicked off its long-anticipated shoot in Prague on Friday, but Craig’s love interest and the flick’s villain have yet to be cast.
Although beginning principal photography with two major cast elements unsettled has been done before, it’s a risky move for a project of this budget and scope.
An agent who’s familiar with the film divulged that since time is of the essence, the Bond Girl will have the upper hand in negotiations with Sony.
“To be that exposed is unheard of,” the agent said, “(The actor or actress) can have them over a barrel. Not to have your two principal leads (by now) is awfully strange.”
However, the Martin Campbell-helmed production does have some breathing room because, as a source told the Hollywood Reporter, the scenes involving James Bond’s love interest don’t begin for more than a month.
“They’re talking to three or four girls right now,” “Royale” scribe, Paul Haggis said. “Every week I read there’s a new Bond girl, and I call them and they say, ‘No, you idiot.’ ”
The latest Bond Girl possibilities include “The Notebook” star Rachel McAdams and Thandie Newton of “Crash” fame.