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Bond director quits over "creative differences"

Daniel Craig as 007 in Casino Royale

Story by Jack Foley

ROGER Michell has reportedly walked away from the 22nd Bond film over “creative differences”.

The South African-born filmmaker, best known for Notting Hill and Changing Lanes, had been in line to direct Daniel Craig’s second outing as 007 but, according to IMDB, has walked away from the project after talks with producers broke down.

His departure could be a problem if a replacement isn’t found quickly, given that the next 007 has already been given a release date of May 2, 2008. Filming was due to have started on the project – a follow-up to Casino Royale – early next year.

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Bond stage at Pinewood

In related Bond news, it has also been revealed that the studio containing the set for Casino Royale, which was recently destroyed by fire, will be completely demolished and rebuilt.

Fire swept through the world-famous stage on Sunday, July 30, and spread quickly because there were no sprinklers fitted inside, according to reports.

Although no date has been set for the demolition to begin, a spokesman for the studio told the BBC: “The inside will be cleared and rebuilding work will begin as quickly as possible. It will be knocked down.”

As yet, the total cost of the damage has yet to be revealed, while a cause of the blaze is not forthcoming.

However, a spokesman for the Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, whose crews attended the incident, said the investigation into the cause of the blaze had been completed and a formal report would be made within “two to three weeks”.