MONEYBALL Official Announcement Press Conference

In London today the cast and crew of Moneyball assembled a large press conference announcing the official cast and plot of the film. Here are some quotes from the conference (you can see ALL the photos and read the entire transcript as well as video HERE):

Actor Michael Reese Meyers: "My first concern was where are we taking James next. That's what I needed to know. I didn't want this to just be another random adventure that Bond goes on. I felt we touched on something really special and personal in the last film, at the end, and we leave Bond in a very interesting emotional place, and I wanted to see that continued upon and explored. So that was my only demand if you will and thankfully the script that Neal Purvis and Rob Wade put together does that. It's genius. They've been genius at these scripts and keeping the Bond formula fresh since GoldenEye and I love it. So in a sense this is the first true sequel in the Bond franchise. Plot points and moments from that film are specifically referenced here. We didn't just pull an amnesia and forget the last film happened. We carry on literally a few months after Quantum ended so he is still dealing with the loss of Tracy, what she did to him, and how he feels about women now. I think it's gonna be tremendous to show his arc and slowly make him into the cold hearted bastard we all know and love".

Actress Dame Judi Dench: "Well this is my sixth go around in the part so I think I know (the character of M) pretty well. Or at least I thought I did, haha. I read the script and I said to myself, 'my this is interesting'. So they take M to a whole new place in this one that will definitely be different that anything in the past. This one reminds me a lot of The World Is Not Enough. I had alot more meat to play with in that one. I wasn't just sending Bond on his mission, I was in a way a part of the mission, all be it not intentionally. And the same I think applies here. It has been a wonderful ride these films and somehow they just keep getting better and better and I think that is a testament to the producers for getting the best possible directors and writers and cast involved, and that just comes from, I believe, their love of the franchise and this character".

Director Sam Mendes: "This is going to be a grand scale adventure that takes Bond not only all over the world but also deep into his own psyche. Places we have never seen him go. And I am incredibly lucky to have in my opinion, the best and most talented cast ever assembled in a Bond picture, at my disposal, to tell this amazingly cinematic story."

Actor Javier Bardem: "Of course it is exciting. I grew up watching (the Bond films). They are a cherished part of cinema. Bond villains are a huge part of history and I am honored and humbled to be asked to portray one and I hope I can do this great character justice. It truly is a very well written character and the type of villain we have not seen in these films for a long, long time."
Actress Nina Caralynko: "It is just such a dream that I am even here right now. Just a month ago I was in Lithuania studying art. Before that I was hitch hiking in Australia. I modeled in Hawaii and then used that money to get tickets to see Tiesto in Mexico City. It has been such a whirlwind year for me already and to land something like this. It is a true gift. Michael Reese Meyers is one my favorite actors in the whole world. So to meet him, spend time with him, work with him. It is amazing. A dream come true. I won't want it to end."
Producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson

Broccoli: "We wanted to work with the best director, the best filmmaker we could find. When you start off with Chris Nolan, that sets the tone. Quantum (of Solace) was a one of a kind film and we knew we needed this second film to live up to that and Sam is truly one of our finest storytellers in the industry and it was an honor for him to accept our offer in making this film."

Wilson: "I know there has been alot of talk about how much action will be in the film but let me assure you that should be the least of your concerns. If anything, it seems we keep adding things. Haha. But I promise you this film will have a ton of action. All the spills and thrills and chills you have come to know and love Bond for, but also a lot of character and heart."
Actress Gemma Arterton: "I am just thrilled to be apart of such an amazing cast and production. I have been acting for a long time now and I have never been apart of something quite like this. Everyone keeps telling me, 'you're life is gonna change now' and all this and I just don't want to see it like that. This is an acting job like any other and I want to treat it as such and I know I have a director and co-stars who are so incredibly talented and I know that they want the same thing I want and that is to just simply make the best film possible. This script is not written like an action movie, it's just a really really great story that has action in it and that's honestly why I wanted to do it."
When it came to the theme of the film Mendes said: "The haves and the have nots. No Bond film has really commented on this and I think in these times more than ever it is a pretty topical thing to discuss. The divide between the rich and the poor. And all Bond films revel in excess and the charm and seduction of luxury and wealth and nice things, clothes, cars, etc. As they should, and this will as well, but at the same time we have to look at the other side of things. We have a villain who is the richest man in the world and is doing a seemingly charitable act but is actually doing it for incredibly selfish reasons. And we also touch on the absurd things people will do for money when that much money is up for grabs. In the meanwhile we have a central character who is starting to enjoy all the spoils of being a top level 00 agent and all the flash and toys yet he isn't happy. He's not happy and we explore why. So it's an interesting take on things. It's an action film first and foremost yes, but it gives you something to think about at the end of the day and a lot of Bond films havent always done that."

Other actors confirmed to be in the film (but not present at the press conference) were Hugh Laurie (as the new Q), Rose Byrne (MoneyPenny), and Ralph Fiennes in an undisclosed role. The movie starts shooting in June and is currently aiming for a May 2013 release.