Sources close to fellow James Bond fansites Absolutely James Bond and CommanderBond.net are reporting that the script for Bond 21 is set to be based on the 1953 Ian Fleming novel Casino Royale. The current drafts for the film (to be written by Neal Purvis and Robert Wade), as reported by these sources, are rumored to be based on the Fleming novel.

The sources did not indicate whether the film itself would be titled Casino Royale or if a location of filming would be Prague (as it was previously rumored to be). If the film is made, it would be the third installment of a Casino Royale-related film. The first installment, starring Barry Nelson as Bond was released as a made for TV movie on CBS in 1954, shortly after the publishing of Fleming's book. The second installment in 1967 was a spoof starring David Niven, Peter Sellers, Woody Allen and Ursula Andress.

This news probably comes disappointing to Pierce Brosnan, a major supporter of a Royale based Bond 21, who recently announced his 'retirement' from the Bond franchise. The news also opens up the door for veteran filmmaker Quentin Tarantino to take the helm as director. Tarantino mentioned that he would love to make a Bond film based on the 1953 novel, and is going to submit his idea for a film to Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson.

All said and done, production of the 21st installment will not begin until a final agreement is found in the possible sale of MGM to Sony, Warner Brothers and other candidates. This could delay the production of Bond 21 until 2006.

More on this news as more details are known...