Literary Review magazine to feature in M's office

As part of their quest to have audiences perceive M as a rounded character, and not just an 'evil queen of numbers', the production team on "Skyfall" have sought permission from Literary Review magazine to have their latest issue used as a prop.

The October issue, which features an illustration of Charles Dickens on the cover, will appear in a scene set in M’s flat.

Literary Review editor Nancy Sladek told the Daily Mail: ‘We are thrilled. M is clearly a lady of great taste and authority.’

The Bond connection doesn't stop there, as the magazine's deputy editor Tom Fleming is a great-nephew of the late Ian Fleming.

According to the paper, the magazine was contacted three weeks ago by the company behind the film, Bond 23 Ltd – a reference to its codename before the official title of the movie was announced.

Ms Sladek said the negotiations did not amount to product-placement in the usual sense as there was no financial deal, and the magazine just had to sign a ‘prop-release’ document.

But she acknowledged that the association with James Bond could add glamour to the image of the 32-year-old magazine and even boost circulation.

The Mail reports that EON Productions has raised £29 million from product placement contracts – a third of the film’s budget – from brands that will appear on screen. The film may also see sponsorship from Chinese companies for the first time. Part of the film will be shot in Shanghai.

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