MARC FORSTER TO DIRECT BOND 22

Marc Forster will direct the 22nd James Bond adventure, it was announced today by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, producers of the James Bond films, Sony Pictures Entertainment, and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios.

Forster is the acclaimed director of the highly anticipated motion picture The Kite Runner, adapted from Khaled Hosseini's best-selling novel. He also recently directed the comic hit Stranger Than Fiction for Sony Pictures. Previously, Forster directed the award-winning and critically acclaimed films Finding Neverland, which was nominated for seven Academy Awards® including Best Picture, and Monster's Ball, for which Halle Berry won a Best Actress Oscar®.

Forster will commence work shortly with screenwriter Paul Haggis on a draft of the screenplay by Neil Purvis and Robert Wade.

Daniel Craig will reprise the role of James Bond in the as-yet-untitled Bond 22 production, which follows Casino Royale, the highest-grossing film so far in the most successful franchise in motion picture history.

With nearly $600 million in worldwide box-office receipts, Casino Royale was also regarded by critics as one of the best Bond films yet. Bond 22 will begin filming at Pinewood Studios, London, in December 2007. Columbia Pictures will release the film worldwide on November 7, 2008.

Wilson and Broccoli said, "We are delighted that Marc Forster, with his exceptional talent and unique vision, has agreed to direct our next James Bond film."

Forster said, "I have always been drawn to different kinds of stories and I have also always been a Bond fan, so it is very exciting to take on this challenge. The new direction that the Bond character has taken offers a director a host of fresh possibilities and I look forward to working with Daniel Craig, Barbara Broccoli, and Michael Wilson, as well as the team at Sony and MGM on this new film."

Amy Pascal, Co-Chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment, added, “We had a great experience working with Marc on Stranger than Fiction and we are excited to be working with him again. He’s an actor’s director; he approaches material with intelligence and taste. What makes him the perfect choice for Bond 22 is that he will bring to this film all the elements Bond audiences expect – action, humor, suspense, and thrills."

"The Bond franchise is one of MGM's most treasured legacies," added Harry Sloan, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, MGM. "We share Michael and Barbara's confidence in Marc Forster's directing talents and support him in his efforts to continue the evolution of the Bond story for today's filmgoers."