Bond's back

007 to return as new film confirmed...

09:58 12 January 2011

A new James Bond film has finally been given the go-ahead, after months of speculation.

Daniel Craig will return as 007 for the third time in the as yet untitled 23rd Bond film.

Sam Mendes will direct the spy's latest adventure, with filming set to start later this year.

MGM studios and EON Productions confirmed that the next instalment of the long-running spy series will happen, after doubt was previously cast over the future of the franchise.

The Bond series had been put on hold amid financial troubles, after MGM filed for bankruptcy protection last November.

A statement by released my EON and MGM read:

"Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli of EON Productions, together with Gary Barber and Roger Birnbaum, co-chairmen and chief executive officers of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc, today announced that the 23rd James Bond film will commence production in late 2011 for a worldwide release on November 9, 2012."

The film will mark four years since Bond's last outing in 2008 with Quantam of Solace.