The ancient south-eastern Italian town of Matera will reportedly play a prominent part in the Cary Fukunaga-directed new James Bond film, specifically it’s set to provide the backdrop for the film’s opening pre-titles sequence which are a staple of the 007 series reports Variety.

Bond films always utilise a handful of key international locations and Matera is the first one to be revealed for the new film. Preparations to accommodate an estimated 500 production people for the shoot, which is expected to take place in late July, are already underway.

Once a slum, the Sasso Caveoso and Sasso Barisano districts of Matera are now a thriving tourist attraction – a network of whitewashed caves inhabited since the Paleolithic era forged into a town of labyrinth-like alleyways, interconnected loops, majestic arches, piazzas and courtyards. Filming on “Wonder Woman,” “The Passion of the Christ” and the remake of “Ben Hur” also took place in the city.

Italy’s Lake Garda and Siena provided the backdrop for the opening scenes of “Quantum of Solace,” while Istanbul was used for “Skyfall” and Mexico City for “Spectre”. Casting for the new film continues ahead of a shoot next month, and recently producer Barbara Broccoli shot down the rumor that the movie will be titled “Shatterhand”.