'I've always been a fan' says new Bond director (+video)

Sam Mendes says he is a big James Bond fan. Photo / Supplied

Director Sam Mendes has given James Bond fans a sneak peek into the making of the upcoming 007 flick.

Mendes has released the first in a series of video blogs from the set of the new film Skyfall, in which he talks about his long-standing love of the franchise, and his bond with "real man" Daniel Craig.

"The roots of my doing this Bond movie start way before anybody approached me because, like everyone else, I have my own personal relationship with Bond which began when I was, I suppose, about nine or 10 years old," he waxes in the 90-second clip.

"So, you know, I've always been a fan of the movies."

The filmmaker adds that he was "genuinely blown away" by the 2006 reboot of Casino Royale, which is what ultimately brought him on board to direct the 23rd installment in the long-running franchise.

"I was genuinely blown away by Casino Royale, because of Daniel. I thought he was a real man in a real situation again and it reminded me of the way I felt when I watched the Sean Connery movies," Mendes adds in the video, which was released on 007.com.

"It struck me that it is still possible to make a big, fabulous, glamorous, escapist movie and yet at the same time to say something about the world that we're living in."

Mendes also says that it's the first time he's shot a movie in the UK.

He explains: "Ironically, I've never made an English movie.

"I've made six movies and this is the first time I've shot in this country, which is an extraordinary thing.

"So I feel like the American years were my apprenticeship for doing the Bond movie."

Not surprisingly, the video's scant on actual Skyfall footage or plot details. We do get another glimpse of a stubbly Craig skulking about in the dark with his Walther, but, sorry ladies, no Speedo-clad Bond flexing his pecs poolside.

Skyfall also stars Dame Judi Dench, Ralph Fiennes, Javier Bardem, Ben Whishaw, and Albert Finney. The movie hits cinemas in November.

Check out the video blog below:

* Are you hyped for a new Bond movie?

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