Bond 24 has yet to get an official title, but the Skyfall follow-up is reportedly set to go into production in December with a 23 October 2015 release date still on the cards.

007 fan site and prolific rumour mill MI6-HQ claims shooting locations will include the tiny Austrian town of Obertilliach, the mayor of which has confirmed a "film project" is heading its way, possibly doubling for Norway where filming was originally set to take place.

Other shoots reportedly include a car chase in Rome and a sequence in Morocco.

Pinewood Studios in the UK will serve as the franchise's home once more in Daniel Craig's fourth bond outing, which will also see Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Rory Kinnear and Ben Whishaw return to their Skyfall roles.

Director Sam Mendes is expected to hold a script read-through with the main cast members in late November ahead of filming.

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Casting is already believed to be underway for a Bond Girl and a new villain, the latter of which MI6-HQ claims will be a "physically imposing character".