Details of the follow-up to Quantum of Solace remain mysteries wrapped in enigmas, guarded with MI6-like security by the steel-toothed henchmen at Eon, MGM and Sony. Such is the dearth of solid intelligence that we still don't even have a name, but some sources this morning are suggesting that Bond 23's title may have leaked, and that if so, it's Skyfall.
Pure speculation and rumour at this stage, we must stress, but with slightly more foundation than the recent stories naming the film Carte Blanche (which came about through bloggers getting confused about Jeffery Deaver's new Bond novel).
The **Skyfall **business stems from a brand production company working for Sony Pictures, who a couple of days ago registered some intriguing URLs. Said net addresses revolve around names like "skyfallthemovie.com" and "skyfallfilm.com", but a couple in the collection are specifically 007-centric, along the lines of "jamesbondskyfall.com"...
Significant? Subterfuge? Something other than the film? If Bond 23 really is to be called Skyfall, it'll be the first one-word Bond title since Goldeneye, and the first non-Ian Fleming title since Die Another Day. Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace both returned, at least in name, to the Fleming sources. The only Fleming titles left unused now however are The Property of a Lady, The Hildebrand Rarity, Risico and 007 In New York. Are any of those likely? What might Skyfall refer to?
Whatever, what we do currently know is that Bond 23, call it what we may, once again stars Daniel Craig as 007 and Judi Dench as M, and is being directed by Sam Mendes. It's out in the UK on October 26 next year.