The next James Bond movie, Skyfall, promises the usual action, exotic locations, scheming villains and beautiful women.
For fans of the original novels by Ian Fleming, there's more: a journey into the troubled psyche of the iconic spy.
After all, the director of the 23rd film in the franchise, which spans half a century, is Sam Mendes.
"You always go back to the Fleming because the character Fleming created over a number of novels was incredibly complex," Mendes said.
"Some people sometimes forget in the cliche of Bond, which is the international playboy, and someone who's always untroubled, and almost never breaks a sweat, that actually what [Fleming] created was a very conflicted character," said Mendes, who was joined by cast members, including Bond actor Daniel Craig, Naomie Harris and Berenice Marlohe (pictured).
Craig reread Bond novels as part of his preparation for Skyfall, and a delay in film production, caused when studio MGM filed for bankruptcy in 2010, allowed him more time to discuss the character with Mendes.
He said he had spoken to intelligence agents about their work, and has some inkling of the hardships they face.
"I've got the better job," said Craig, whose last movie was thriller The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
Asked to describe Bond's love life in Skyfall, Craig smiled. "It's very rich," he said. "We're making a Bond movie, so that kind of speaks for itself."
Skyfall is due for release in the UAE in November.
