50 years of James Bond... back in Istanbul

James Bond has returned to Istanbul for its 50th anniversary. British actors Daniel Craig, Naomie Harris and French actress Berenice Marlohe arrive for the photo call of 'Skyfall', the 23rd film in the James Bond series in Istanbul, Turkey.

James Bond has once again returned to Istanbul for 'Skyfall', the latest film in the longest running series that this year celebrates half a century of the legendary spy in action.

"We wanted to be here because it is the most magnificent place, it is an incredible city ... I can't get enough of it," said director Sam Mendes, who spoke to the press in Istanbul after more than 100 days of shooting Skyfall in Turkey.

The 23rd film in the Bond series was shot on several locations in Turkey, between the southern province of Adana and the southwestern coastal town of Fethiye, as well as in the historical Grand Bazaar of Istanbul.

"Bond has had a close relationship with Istanbul ... It has been 49 years to the day since they were last here ... Bond was last here," Daniel Craig said.

Craig took over the Bond character in 2006 with Casino Royal.

Barbara Broccoli, one of the producers, noted that Istanbul was chosen as the venue for Skyfall to mark the 50th anniversary of the legend in "the favourite city of Ian Flemming", the British author who invented James Bond in 1953.

Bond may even have a car chase scene on the very epitome of Istanbul, the Bosphorus bridge, Mendes said in response to a question, hinting that the city may continue to appear in forthcoming Bond movies.

The Bond series briefly featured Istanbul in 1999 for The World is Not Enough, after Bond's first appearance in the city in 1963 for the second film of the series, From Russia With Love.
Skyfall is expected to be released in late 2012.

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.