007 Is Back

And so are a male M, a sexy car, a creepy foe. So what's new and what stays the same in the 24th instalment of the franchise announced on Wednesday?
Here's our checklist
Forgive the pun, but the baddies really had it, er, coming. James Bond is back, and with him, fast cars, sinister villains, alpha-male derring do and curvaceous belles with priceless assets.But we say the most priceless asset of them all is director Sam Mendes, who turned the lights on the next Bond film -the 24th in six decades, titled Spectre -in a star-studded press con on Wednesday .
After all, Mendes's last outing in Skyfall netted over $1 billion and breathed enough steam into the franchise to make it chug along for at least another decade. And then, of course, there's Daniel Craig. The laugh lines are showing as he gears up to play 007 fourth time round, but this blond Bond packs a wallop still. Just turn your gaze below, if you don't believe us.
But Spectre is significant in more ways than one. After Skyfall's soaring narrative -which was nonetheless off-canon (what with Judi Dench's M getting bumped off) -Spectre should mark a return to a Bond tale steeped in tradition. The fountainhead of evil in this film, Ernst Stavro Blofeld, has been a recurring presence in many Bond films and books. So what's the same and what's going to change in Spectre?
Read on...
WHAT'S OLD
Ralph Fiennes as M
He'll have his task cut out as he takes over from Judi Dench as Bond's boss, M. Dench brought a lot of steel and bite into the character and unlike most films, Skyfall belonged as much to her as to Bond. No one's doubting Ralph `Voldemort' Fiennes's acting skills, but what special stuff has he got up his sleeve?
Naomie Harris as MoneyPenny
She's lovely and in Skyfall, she answered that eternal question -did Moneypenny actually sleep with Bond? The film rewrote her back story completely, where she's shown as a field agent before she finally settles down as M's secretary (also the first coloured one). Will she and Craig sizzle again?
Sam Mendis Director
The rockstar, who's made Bond relevant and exciting in a slick, 21st century way. Mind you, the old-world thrills are still there, like car chases, ear-splitting explosions, flying bullets. But Mendes has shown that even after so many decades, he can push Bond down the darkest alleys of the mind.
Spectre...
The new creative logo of Spectre; (right) the old logo
What's New
Monica Bellucci & Lea Seydoux as The BondGirls
Pussy Galore will turn in her grave! For Spectre, the Bond girls have frustratingly sedate names like Lucia Sciarra (Bellucci) and Madeleine Swann (Seydoux). But fanboys, hold your horses. The two women come with tried-and-tested credentials. While Bellucci's sex appeal needs no fresh documenting, Seydoux wowed audiences with her remarkable turn in the erotic Blue is the Warmest Colour. Add Daniel Craig to the mix, and you can expect some warmth here.
Christoph Waltz as Blofeld?
Tarantino unveiled this god of acting. First, as the chilling Hanz Landa in Inglourious Basterds and then as the suave Dr Schultz in Django Unchained. With chameleon acting skills, be sure he'll be the trump card of Spectre. Mendes introduced him as Oberhauser at the press con, but punters are betting heavily that he will be reincarnated as Spectre numero uno, Ernst Stavro Blofeld.All we want to know is if he'll still own a Turkish cat.
The Bond Car
You've seen Bond tame some beasts on screen, but this one is the real deal. A substantial time at the press con was spent in unveiling the new Bond car. It looks sleek and sexy, just like its master. But that's only from the outside. What tricks is it hiding under the hood. Mendes kept mum, so we'll wait till the film's release. Watch this space for more!