Well, it may not have been the most in-depth update, but being the star of the film I think we can trust what Daniel Craig tells us.

Craig is currently starring in the Broadway production of A Steady Rain with fellow Hollywood star Hugh Jackman. After a recent performance, Craig was graciously signing autographs for fans waiting outside the stage door exit when he was asked the question we’re all curious about: When do we get to see 007 back in action?

In a brief yet direct response, Craig informed the fan that they’re going to begin filming James Bond 23 at the end of next year.

It’s not much to go on, but considering that MGM’s financial issues presented the possibility of bankruptcy, it’s reassuring to hear from Mr. Bond himself that the movie is still taking place.

The script for Craig’s 3rd Bond performance is still being worked on, and James Bond 23 is still without a director, but if what Craig said is true, MGM has over a year to get everything tied together to start filming.

Yesterday, a large conference call took place between MGM executives and bondholders in which the former “made a desperate plea for money because the studio had missed its numbers and was going to be out of funds very soon.”

That’s right, ladies and gentlemen, MGM may be on the verge of bankruptcy — at least, that’s what an initial glance at this plea seems to indicate. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, producer and distributor behind The Hobbit, the James Bond film franchise and the upcoming Fame and The Cabin in the Woods (along with a large catalog of classics), is said by a source to need “an additional $150 million to get through the end of year and continue funding its projects, and to start Peter Jackson’s Hobbit.”

The only semi-productive avenue for the bondholders seemed to be allowing MGM to slip into bankruptcy and collecting their funds, which would essentially (amongst other disastrous consequences) deprive MGM of the 007 franchise and The Hobbit, along with many other tentpole franchises they own the rights to.

This would be a crippling blow to both MGM and fans — the next entry in the Daniel Craig series of James Bond films is a highly-awaited blockbuster, while The Hobbit has a built-in fan base the likes of which few properties hold. Without these two alone, MGM might as well fade into dust.

For now, MGM is in the process of “formally asking for forbearance,” which will delay this gloom and doom scenario while MGM restructures itself. Fingers crossed that they get their act together, without the repercussions of bankruptcy.

More updates as this situation unfolds.

Wanna hear Alicia Keys and Jack White sing the new title track to Quantum of Solace? Go to iTunes and download the title track, “Another Way to Die.”  This is the first time a duet has been performed for a Bond movie.

I’ve listened to the song about 12 times now and it’s good. It has a great mix of rock with brass. To hear Jack White play the guitar along with a crisp brass section and sing with Alicia Keys is something to behold. I can’t wait to hear it infront of the movie when the title sequence plays along with it. The song fits in with the retro sound that Chris Cornell helped create with 2006′s Casino Royale title track, “You Know my Name.”
For $.99 what do you have to lose? Download and enjoy.

Can’t wait till 11/14/08 to see Quantum of Solace and Daniel Craig back in the role of James Bond, 007.

Moviefone has been given the chance to show us some behind the scene images, filming and interviews on the set of the 22nd James Bond film.

Here is the sneak peak.

As a movie fan, I would have to say that I have not given due diligence to ANY of these films. I would put them in a genre of “things blowing up and hot chicks” and would have to say the acting is sub par. As I did say though I have not done my fair share to sit and watch a Bond Film in a while. I do have Casino Royal on Blu-Ray waiting for me at home still in the shrink wrap.

** Clarification for Gillman and anyone else who took my horrid writing the wrong way. **

What was meant to be said is that of the Bond films I have seen I have not been impressed enough to spend any more timing viewing any of the others. I have seen the following and have not been impressed.

Die Another Day

Never Say Never Again

James Bond 007: From Russia with Love

James Bond 007: Goldfinger

James Bond 007: A View to a Kill

A few more are escaping me and IMDB at the moment.