Queen Elizabeth II attended the global premiere of Casino Royale on Tuesday evening at Leicester Square in London, joining hundreds of enthusiastic fans who turned out to welcome the newest James Bond film.
The 21st entry in the Bond franchise is adapted from Ian Fleming's original 007 novel and follows the spy earlier in his career, covering his elevation to 00 status. Daniel Craig, the second Englishman to portray Bond, takes over the role from Pierce Brosnan, having beaten out several high-profile candidates for the part.
Craig drew attention as an unconventional selection, partly due to his blond hair, a first for the character. When asked how he measured up to his predecessors, he said, "I just tried to make a good movie."
Co-stars Eva Green and Judi Dench joined Craig on the red carpet, along with celebrities including Elton John, Sting, and Paris Hilton. The Queen and Prince Philip greeted the cast and crew ahead of the screening.
Casino Royale was scheduled to open in theaters worldwide that Friday.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in November 2006, in its own words.