This should come as no surprise to anyone but Judi Dench will return as MI6 boss M in the next instalment of the James Bond franchise, she made the role her own across the past 6 films and without her the film would be a very different beast. She confirmed her role at South Bank Show Sky Arts awards, where she simply said ‘Yes’ but refused to spill any details because she “isn’t allowed”.
The tentatively titled Bond 23, will be moving forward at a quick pace to make its November 2012 release date so more casting details I expect will be on the way. The most interesting part for me about the project is the prospect of seeing Sam Mendes in the director’s chair, and seeing how a man with melodramatic sensibilities will match the high octane action of Bond. The script will be penned by Bond regulars Neal Purvis & Robert Wade with John Logan filling in the duties of script rewriter, previously vacated by Oscar winner Paul Haggis.