James Bond is Back: Quantum of Solace Trailer Debuts

Fans of 007 don't have much longer to wait before the 22nd film in the Bond series, Quantum of Solace, is released. The film is currently set to come into theaters in November of 2008, but the trailer's recent release is stirring talk of it already. Quantum of Solace is the second Bond film to star Daniel Craig, who previously appeared in Casino Royale. It is the first Bond film to be based not on one of author Ian Fleming's novels, but on a short story instead. For inquiring minds, the short story is titled "For Your Eyes Only." There are only 21 novels in the James Bond series. Matin Campbell, director of Casino Royale, has passed the reins on to Marc Forster. Forster directed Monster's Ball and Finding Neverland. Dame Judy Dench will return as M, giving what will surely be another spectacular performance. For this go-round there is not one Bond girl, there are two. They are played by Olga Kurylenko and Gemma Arterton in the rolls of Camille and MI6 Agent Fields. Villain Dominic Greene will be played by Mathieu Amalric, a French actor whose credits are mostly French films. Unlike previous Bond films, Quantum of Solace stems directly from Casino Royale, which should give the movies a more solid feeling. Previous Bond films very rarely were connected in any way.

Speculation is varied as to where this film will be leading the Bond franchise. Rumors of a complete series redo, including refilming all of the films with former Bonds hold very little merit in most eyes, but original Fleming material has very nearly run out.

Casino Royale's release in 2006 drew in Bond fanatics and new fans alike through a revamp of the debonair secret agent. By remaining more true to Fleming's novels, Craig's Bond is beaten, bloodied, bruised, humiliated, and lovestruck. He does not always win, and he doesn't always look perfect in his tuxedo while he's in the process of beating the bad guys. In some cases, he's not even necessarily the good guy. It brought us into an age of a more grown-up Bond film, one that uses modern technology and takes itself seriously.

While it is difficult to tell from the trailer exactly what the plot of the movie will be, it's made clear that revenge for the death of the woman he loved in Casino Royale is one of Bond's motivators in this film. The trailer can be viewed here.