Shock movie upset - Daniel Craig still James Bond 007

Showbiz insiders predict shooting, babes in Skyfall

Daniel Craig is back as James Bond 007, blond-haired ball-busting hero of new film Skyfall that will start filming today.

As Craig brings his sculptured abs and sea-blue eyes back to the role, fans of the Bond franchise can look forward to the introduction of amber-eyed French beauty Bérénice Marlohe who will play a "glamorous, enigmatic" character named Severin. Marlohe has mainly starred on French TV before.

Brit Sam Mendes is directing, but though he unfortunately has several sensitive indie hits to his name (American Beauty, Revolutionary Road) he took time to reassure attendees at the press conference that this does not mean he'll be cutting the action scenes.

Mendes also said that the Skyfall story won't be connected to Casino Royale or Quantum Of Solace, and won't be based on any of the books.

British screen actress Naomie Harris will play a secret agent named Eve. Judi Dench will remain as M, and leading men include skinny Brit actor Ben Whishaw, Ralph Fiennes and Javier Bardem bringing a little Latin villainy. ®