Ralph Fiennes, Ben Whishaw & More Join Daniel Craig in James Bond Thriller Skyfall

The wait is over for James Bond fans: Shooting is scheduled to begin on November 7 for Skyfall, the 23rd Bond film, which will be directed by Broadway vet Sam Mendes (Cabaret, Gypsy) from a script by Tony winner John Logan (Red). Deadline.com reports that Skyfall, the third Bond outing for Broadway vet Daniel Craig, will be released in the U.S. on November 9, 2012.

Oscar winner Javier Bardem is set to match wits with Craig as the villain in Skyfall, in which Bond’s loyalty to M (Tony winner Judi Dench) is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. Other confirmed cast members include Tony winner Ralph Fiennes, off-Broadway alum Ben Whishaw, Albert Finney, Naomie Harris and Bérénice Marlohe as the latest Bond girl, a character called Severine.

At a November 3 press event in London, Mendes said that he will direct the new film’s action sequences himself. “There will be plenty of surprises,” the stage and screen vet said. “The action needs to be balanced with the drama.” Mendes declined to comment on speculation that Adele will sing the film's all-important theme song. Craig his currently contracted to star in one more Bond film after Skyfall.