After months of speculation almost all of the most salient details pertaining to James Bond 23 – now known as Skyfall – have been revealed.

Production has started on James Bond 23 as of 3rd of November 2011. The regular press conference that announces the start of filming was moved from its ‘spiritual’ home of Pinewood to central London in order that the cast and crew be on hand for shooting in London that very day. We understand Pinewood is expecting the lead cast on the 7th of November 2011.

Speaking of cast, almost all of the rumors we’ve been taking seriously these last few weeks have come to fruition. As such, the cast is confirmed to include:

• Javier Bardem
• Ralph Fiennes
• Naomie Harris
• Berenice Marlohe
• Ben Wishaw
• Albert Finney

Many familiar faces will be returning to take their positions behind the camera. Dennis Gassner of Quantum of Solace production design fame will be returning along with Chris Corbould, Gary Powell and Debbie McWilliams – whose job, as casting director, has been underway for months.

Although Tariq Anwar ‘confirmed’ his involvement in Bond 23 earlier in the year, Stuart Baird will edit Skyfall.

The press conference also confirmed a number of locations, including Scotland, Istanbul and Shanhai – which was only recently rumored as a location of substance.

At the same time as launching the film, Sony pictures opened up an official James Bond fan page on Facebook and claimed the username @007 on Twitter.

Several of the below photos (and a video from the conference are available on the Facebook account).

A short synopsis is now available: “In SKYFALL, Bond’s loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.”

About Skyfall – James Bond 23 (2012)

The new Bond movie will star Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Berenice Marlohe, Albert Finney and Judi Dench, produced by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli. The 007 screenplay will be written by regular James Bond scribes Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, working with John Logan (Gladiator & The Last Samurai). Director of American Beauty and Road To Perdition, Sam Mendes will be directing the new James Bond movie. MGM and Sony Pictures Entertainment in a joint statement on 2nd June 2011 announced that “Bond 23″ will go on release in the UK on Friday, 26th October, 2012 and in the USA on 9th November 2012. The first major announcement from EON Productions and Sony Pictures came on 3rd November 2011 in London when the principle cast was announced, along with a rough plot line. In Skyfall, Bond’s loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.