SUBMITTED BY pimpjoe_esb

February 1, 2006 —

Director Martin Campbell, who began production this week on the upcoming James Bond adventure Casino Royale, told SCI FI Wire that he doesn't feel as if he's reinventing the 007 franchise so much as going back to its roots. Casino Royale is based on Ian Fleming's first British spy adventure, and it marks the franchise debut of Daniel Craig, who takes over the Bond role from Pierce Brosnan.

"First of all, it's a franchise that doesn't need reinventing, because the last one [Die Another Day] took in a huge amount of money," Campbell said in an interview while promoting the Jan. 31 DVD release of his most recent movie, The Legend of Zorro. "But I think what makes this interesting is that it's going back to the original book. That's what makes it exciting. Having a new Bond? I think Daniel is not only a terrific actor, but it's kind of a tougher, more gritty Bond this time, hopefully without losing all the things that make Bond really work. And it's a much more ... What's the word?... It's got its feet on the ground much more in term of its action and in terms of its story."

For more of the interview, click the link below.