Warning of 007 defection from the UK as Bond 22 warms up

15-Nov-2006 • Quantum Of Solace

He is the most famous British spy on the planet - but James Bond producers have warned they may have to stop filming in the UK because it has become too expensive - reports This Is London.

Casino Royale producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli said there was no guarantee that the next movie would be shot in Britain.

England has been Bond's home since the first 007 movie Dr No was shot at Pinewood Studios in 1962.

Of the 21 Bond films, 19, including Daniel Craig's Casino Royale, have been made at Pinewood Studios and many are shot in locations in Britain as well as around the world.

The Bond franchise is seen as a flagship in the local film industry.

But Wilson told ScreenDaily: "London is the most expensive city in the world right now.

"To bring talent here and put them up here for long periods of time and the cost of doing business here is a factor.

"Whether the new tax incentives will balance that out or not is something we still have to calculate."

Wilson also attacked the British Government over its stance on film, saying: "The Film Minister position is a stepping stone for junior ministers to start to get into Government.

"It's hard to find anyone who is there for more than a year. That's just the way it is.

"It's a revolving door. It's hard to find a consistent policy. It's hard to get to talk to people there and to make a lasting impression."

The UK Film Council responded that "the UK is one of the best places in the world to make a film".

It said: "We have fantastic creative talent, outstanding studios and facilities and a competitive tax incentive which together offers a very attractive package.

"That's why films keep coming here. Film production spending in the UK is up by 76% for the first six months of 2006. Inward investment alone has increased by 71%.

"In 2005 London had a record 12,655 shooting days, a 30% increase since 2003, and there is now an average of 35 crews shooting in the capital every day.

"Big-budget features currently in production include The Golden Compass, The Bourne Ultimatum, 28 Weeks Later, The Other Boleyn Girl and Run Fat Boy Run.

"These figures speak for the quality of what the UK has to offer. We will be doing all we can to ensure that every film that can shoot in the UK, including Bond, does."

Thanks to `Nick` for the alert.