LOS ANGELES — James Bond, the legendary British secret agent, will drive an Aston Martin again in the next 007 film it was announced today by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Eon Productions, and Aston Martin. The 20th installment of the longest running and most successful franchise in cinema history, produced by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, is due for release in 2002. Bond 20 marks the 40th anniversary of the franchise that began in 1962 with Dr. No. Pierce Brosnan will make his fourth appearance as James Bond in the film, which will be directed by Lee Tamahori (Along Came a Spider, The Edge) and written by Neal Purvis and Robert Wade. Production will begin at Pinewood Studios in January 2002.
The recently launched V12 Vanquish will be the fourth Aston Martin that Bond has driven. The association with the marque began in 1964 with the film Goldfinger when the DB5 was fitted with "optional extras" such as ejector seats and rockets.
Producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli say, "James Bond and the British Aston Martin car have had a long and successful partnership in our films, and we are delighted to welcome the latest model, the Aston Martin Vanquish, to appear in the 20th film of the series."
Robert Levin, MGM's president of Worldwide Marketing and Distribution, adds, "We are thrilled that Bond fans will get to see James Bond back in the Aston Martin — especially for Bond 20, which marks such a momentous milestone in film history."