By Lee Pfeiffer
For Bond fans who have been clamoring for a return to substance over the endless action sequences of Quantum Of Solace, producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson have obviously been listening. Not only is Oscar winner Sam Mendes (American Beauty) directing but he's brought the most prestigious cast in memory on board, with Judi Dench, Ralph Fiennes and Javiar Bardem already signed. Now the Daily Mail reports that the cast and crew were at a script reading at Pinewood Studios when Mendes announced that the legendary Albert Finney will also be in the cast. Finney's role will be more than window dressing- he will be playing M's boss. As a fan of the Bond franchise since age 8 in 1964, I've learned when advance news about the next film merits enthusiasm or cringe-inducing fear. The latter was experienced when it was announced way back in '74 that the character of Sheriff Pepper was returning in The Man With The Golden Gun. You instantly knew that the film would be a wreck even before you saw a single sequence. Conversely, the good news regarding Bond 23 just keeps getting better. I think we have the ingredients to rival the excitement that was accorded Casino Royale. Click here for more
