Quantum of Solace
News

Quantum of Solace has become the highest grossing James Bond movie in the history of the franchise.

The film has taken in over $167.1 million to become the most successful installment of all-time in North America, surpassing the $167 million grossed domestically by Casino Royale.

Moreover, Quantum of Solace has grossed another $382.9 internationally.

"It is always gratifying when the audience responds to a film, but to be working with a character as successful as James Bond and see the two films Sony has handled become the two most successful films in the history of the franchise makes us all tremendously proud," said Jeff Blake, chairman of Sony Pictures Worldwide Marketing and Distribution. "It has been a special thrill to work on the Bond films, and we couldn't be more excited by the success of Quantum of Solace."

In a recent interview with ComingSoon.net, Daniel Craig was asked about the difference between the two most recent James Bond movies.

Here's his reply:

Because Casino Royale was based on a novel and we're always going to have that. When you do a movie like that, where the basis of a story is really strong and also the momentum of it, everyone thought that it was going to be sh*t. So when it wasn't, they were all just completely surprised. I think that Quantum of Solace is as good a movie as Casino Royale.

I think that the difference is that last time people were surprised by the fact that they enjoyed it. The fact is that we get reviews in newspapers that we'd never had reviews in before. Certainly with the Internet we get seven and a half million reviews, which are all worth looking at, obviously.

A couple of very different movies open this weekend. Let's take a closer look at each now..

Quantum of Solace
Stars: Daniel Craig
Quick synopsis: James Bond is back, and he wants revenge!
Prediction: The top of the box office, likely for weeks to come.

Slumdog Millionaire
Stars: Dev Patel
Quick synopsis: An Indian boy shocks the world with his performance on a game show.
Prediction: Raves from critics, but a limited release will mean limited box office haul.

As the hype for Quantum of Solace - which opens today! - has escalated over the last few weeks, star Daniel Craig has received the bulk of the attention.

But the actor recently gave praise to director Marc Forster. Here's what Craig had to say:

"What Marc is, fundamentally, is not only a great director, but a lover of movies. He knows the process. If you look at his films, how varied they are from 'Monster's Ball' to ['Finding] Neverland' to 'Kite Runner,' each one is so individual. You would think they were different directors if you were to look at them blindly I think, and that is what I think he brought to this.

He brought this attitude of here we go, it's a Bond movie, we don't get to have chances like this very often, lets give this a go. I mean the discussions we had before we started shooting were about the classic Bonds we love, the classic movies of the '60s that we loved. And whatever we are going to do, we are going to make a movie that people remember because it is visually stunning, it goes to the best locations in the world, and that it will be remembered as a stunning Bond movie."

Daniel Craig does battle in this scene from Quantum of Solace.

With Quantum of Solace opening nationwide tomorrow, here's your chance to review the film's plot details before it opens.

Take a James Bond refresher course below with a summarizing video:

Quantum of Solace Overview

In the following clip from Quantum of Solace, the bad guys - led by Dominic Greene (Mathieu Amalric) - set their sights on a certain secret agent.

His name is Bond. James Bond.

Quantum of Solace Spoiler

Think you've read and watched everything out there related to Quantum of Solace?

Think again.

In a new series of interviews, cast and crew members on the movie - from Daniel Craig to Olga Kurylenko to Marc Forster to producer Michael G. Wilson - talk about creating the 22nd James Bond movie of all-time. Watch and learn:

Inside Quantum of Solace

With Quantum of Solace set to premiere director Marc Forster sat down with ComingSoon.net.

He was asked about the gig and how he ended up helming the 22nd James Bond movie. Here's an excerpt from that interview:

ComingSoon.net: What was the original pitch as far as getting this job? Did they come to you or did you pitch for it?
Marc Forster: No, my agent called me and said, "Look, they wanted me" and I said, "No, say, 'Please, no thank you. I'm very honored but I don't want to do it.'" Then he called me back and said, "Look, just out of respect, why don't you meet them? You don't have to do the movie obviously." Of course we knew it was Barbara Brocolli and Michael Wilson, and it's fascinating just to sit down and have a conversation with them. I then met them and thought they were charming and liked the ideas, but wasn't so interested.

Left, had thought about it, and then came back again, met with them again because in between that, there were a couple incidents. My DP and my editor mentioned how much they loved Bond and they tried talking me into it and other people, too. I talked to other people too and I realized how many Bond fans out there, diehard Bond fans, loads of them, like people I wouldn't expect. I see they don't like action particularly or they're more the arthouse people and they say, "No, Bond is different."

American movie-goers have to wait a few days before Quantum of Solace opens in U.S. theaters.

But James Bond returned to the big screen in Europe with a record-setting opening. The film earned a $38.6 million at 2,123 theaters in the U.K., France and Sweden, two weeks ahead of the domestic launch.

In Bond's native country, the $25.3 million opening broke the three-day launch record held by Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. This 007 installment also set a Friday record with $8 million, 23% higher than Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

Through the years, James Bond has become almost as well known for his quips and sarcastic one-liners as for his sex appeal and affinity for action.

In Quantum of Solace, however, fans should be in for a darker 007, one so focused on revenge that he leaves humor at home. Fortunately, he doesn't forget his Aston Martin and the movie doesn't forget that Bond followers crave action.

They receive plenty of it in the franchise's 22nd edition. Read out complete Quantum of Solace review now.