That the suave sophisticated, quintessentially English super spy - Bond, James Bond - is in reality an Irishman, Pierce Brosnan, is enough to shake, if not stir, those on Her Majesty's secret service - but now an Irish producer is laying claim to the franchise on the man with the golden name. Kevin McClory, from Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin, has signed a deal with Columbia Pictures, a Sony Pictures Entertainment company, to make a series of Bond films, and already he is facing a battle royal with Metro Goldwyn-Mayer.
MGM has made most of the Bond films, including the two latest starring Pierce Brosnan, and is claiming it owns the rights to the secret service character. Its latest film, Tomorrow Never Dies is due for release in Ireland on December 12th.
If Sony Pictures can fight off MGM's challenge, the spectre is raised of two James Bonds, one played by Pierce Brosnan, fighting it out on the world stage. A clear case of You Only Live Twice.
Sony Pictures announced their plans to release the first McClory Bond film in 1999, and "are pleased to join with him in giving James Bond a new home at Sony Pictures.
"These movies will be based on original works created by McClory, James Bond novelist Ian Fleming and Jack Whittingham," the company said.
McClory has said that he would be "propelling James Bond into the 21st century". The premises was recently bought by an American company and is now planned to be converted into a four-star hotel.
