Bond returns for 20th outing

PINEWOOD, England -- Bond is back!

Shooting is about to start on the latest big-screen adventure of British secret agent James Bond 007.

The new, as yet untitled, film is the 20th in one of cinema's longest-running film series and marks the 40th anniversary of the release of the first Bond film, Dr. No.

Despite few, if any, details of the new film's plot being released, it has not stopped fans speculating.

Last year the film's production company, Eon, dismissed as "fabrication" an Internet web site's claims that the film would be called "Final Assignment."

It was also reported that the plot would involve 007 confronting the killer of his father, Andrew Bond, who was also a British spy and that Sean Connery, the original Bond, would appear in flashbacks as 007's father.

What is for certain is that actor Pierce Brosnan makes his fourth appearance as James Bond and will be joined by co-stars Halle Berry and Rosamund Pike.

Brosnan says he plans to complete a fifth Bond film but thinks he may be too old to continue in the role after that.

At the official production launch party, he said: "It takes stamina to play this role. I would like to get off the stage with grace."

The stars and crew gathered at Pinewood Studios, near London, for the launch, which also celebrated the anniversary of the release of Dr. No. Filming begins on Monday.

A plaque was also unveiled in memory of Bond producer Cubby Broccoli, who died in 1996.