WRITERS: Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, and based on the characters created by Ian Fleming (uncredited).
PRODUCERS: Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson.
CO-PRODUCER: Callum McDougall
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Anthony Waye.
ORIGINAL MUSIC: David Arnold (score), Madonna, Mirwais Ahmadzai and Michel Colombier (theme song), Monty Norman (James Bond theme), Paul Oakenfold (James Bond theme remix).
DISTRIBUTOR: MGM/UA
Jinx: Let's just say my relationships don't seem to last.
James Bond: I know the feeling.
James Bond: Equal...but not even.
DVD RELEASE DATE: June 3rd, 2003 (USA)
BOX OFFICE OPENING: $47.0 million (USA)
BOX OFFICE RESULT: $160.9 million (USA)
WORLDWIDE BOX OFFICE: $254.6 million* (USA)
BUDGET: $142 million (USA)
SHOOTING DATES: January 2002 -- July 2002
- Brosnan has mentioned that he would like to make two more Bond films after this one.
- There are rumors that Pierce Brosnan wanted Brett Ratner, the director of Rush Hour 2, to direct this movie. However, Lee Tamahori was hired.
- It was rumored at some point that Sean Connery should appear on the movie, playing James Bond's father. That would be a grave mistake, as James Bond was raised as an orphan.
- This film was originally going to feature the first return female character in a leading role in the series: Chinese agent Wai Lin (Michelle Yeoh). Rumors suggest that her character made a return in earlier drafts of the screenplay, but sometime before filming it was determined that the Academy Award nominated actress would not be returning due to scheduling conflicts. It is believed that the role of Halle Berry's character, Jinx, was made considerably larger to fill the gap left by the absence of Yeoh.
- Will Yun Lee plays a character named Colonel Moon. There is a little-known James Bond novel by Kingsley Amis, written shortly after Ian Fleming's death, titled "Colonel Sun". It was Amis' only Bond novel, making him the George Lazenby of Bond authors.
- Following her Best Actress win at the 2002 Oscars, Halle Berry became the first Academy Award-winner to be a "Bond Girl", although only just -- she won the award while shooting this movie (Kim Basinger (Never Say Never Again)) won her Oscar for L.A. Confidential (1997) long after she had been a "Bond Girl").
- At the pre-production stage, Saffron Burrows and Salma Hayek were both considered for roles in the film. It was also rumored that Billy Connolly was asked to play the part of a villain in the teaser sequence, but turned it down.
- Sequences where James Bond travels in 1st Class aboard a passenger plane, then holds onto the front wheel of the plane as the landing gear deploys, and finally walks from the aircraft after it has landed, were filmed in March 2001 in British Airways engineering bases at Heathrow Airport, using green screens and a fan.
- In honor of the franchise's 40th anniversary, there are references to each of the previous 19 Bond films.
- Madonna's cameo was the final scene shot during principal filming.
- A knee injury to Pierce Brosnan delayed shooting for a few weeks.
- This is the first Bond film to feature during the opening music sequence scenes that actually advance the plot.
- This is the first Bond film to feature a cameo by the person who sings the theme song of that movie.
- Winner of one 2003 Razzie Award for Worst Supporting Actress (Madonna). Nominated for one 2003 Razzie Awards for Worst Original Song.
James Bond: Well, there's a name to die for.
M: Did you expect an apology?
James Bond: Well then, you must feel right at home eh?
James Bond: It's only a flesh wound.
