The road to Casino Royale began in March 2004 when scribes Neal Purvis and Robert Wade (“The World Is Not Enough” – 1999, “Die Another Day” – 2002) began work on the screenplay. According to the duo, at that time they were writing the film with Pierce Brosnan in mind. That would all change a couple of months later when tabloid rumours spread that Brosnan had not been asked back for a fifth film.

Behind the scenes, the task of casting a new 007 had begun. The title of the film and the return of “GoldenEye” (1995) helmer Martin Campbell was announced in February 2005, further hinting that the director was to usher another fresh face into 007’s tuxedo.

To bolster Bond’s return to his literary roots in an adaptation of Ian Fleming’s debut 007 novel, Academy-award winning screenwriter Paul Haggis (“Crash”, “Million Dollar Baby”) was brought in to polish the script and strengthen the relationships between the characters. Media coverage dubbed the production “Bond Begins” when Campbell revealed the film would show 007 earning his licence to kill at the beginning of his MI6 career.

Mads Mikkelsen had been selected to play villain Le Chiffre long before his work schedule had allowed him to commit to the role. The announcements were confirmed to the press, along with Jeffrey Wright as Felix Leiter, on February 16th 2006, some two weeks since filming began.

Casino Royale was primarily shot at Barrandov Studios in Prague, with additional location shooting in the Czech Republic, The Bahamas, Italy, and the United Kingdom.

Production returned to its traditional home of Pinewood Studios to complete the shooting schedule and post-production.