James Bond is best known as an endlessly globe-trotting spy who never seems to get jet lag, but in the 25th film about the iconic character he will be – at least to start – relaxing in a place that feels like home.
The upcoming film – Daniel Craig’s fifth, and potentially final, turn as the suave British spy – has begun filming in Jamaica, which was the former home of the character’s creator, Ian Fleming. Fleming, who was a British intelligence agent, wrote most of the books at his home in Jamaica, named GoldenEye. Now, the site is home to a hotel of the same name and overlooks James Bond Beach, which was used for filming a scene in Dr. No, starring Sean Connery. The film Live and Let Die, starring Roger Moore, was partially filmed at the Half Moon Bay Resort in Jamaica.
While details about the new film are scant at this time, some information was released from a ‘live reveal’, broadcast from Jamaica. According an official statement about the film, the plot will start with Bond, who “has left active service and is enjoying a tranquil life in Jamaica. His peace is short-lived when his old friend Felix Leiter from the CIA turns up asking for help. The mission to rescue a kidnapped scientist turns out to be far more treacherous than expected, leading Bond onto the trail of a mysterious villain armed with dangerous new technology”.
The production will be based at Pinewood Studios in the UK, and on location in London, Italy, Jamaica and Norway. However, Jamaica is perhaps the most important significant to the story’s origins. Producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli said in a statement: “we’re thrilled to return to Jamaica with Bond 25, Daniel Craig’s fifth instalment in the 007 series, where Ian Fleming created the iconic James Bond character and Dr. No and Live and Let Die were filmed.” Cast and crew started filming on 28 April, and the movie will be released on 8 April, 2020.
Travellers should note that the UK's Foreign Commonwealth Office advises that there is a state of emergency in Jamaica, and while most visits are trouble-free, there are "high levels of crime and violence, particularly in the capital Kingston".
