'Casino Royale' will be new Bond film

LOS ANGELES - The 21st James Bond film has a title: "Casino Royale," which also was the title of Ian Fleming's first James Bond novel, published in 1953.

The novel was adapted into a 1954 television show and Columbia Pictures' unofficial 1967 spy spoof "Casino Royale," which starred Peter Sellers, Woody Allen and David Niven. In 1999, MGM acquired the title and rights in a settlement with Columbia's Sony Pictures parent. MGM is now in the process of beimg acquired by a Sony-led investor group.

Martin Campbell, who directed the 1995 Bond film "GoldenEye," is on board to return to the helm. No decision has been made yet regarding casting for the role of James Bond, which has been played since "GoldenEye" by Pierce Brosnan.

- REUTERS/HOLLYWOOD REPORTER