James Bond Returns in ‘Skyfall’

Screen spy James Bond is returning next year with a new movie called "Skyfall" and a star-studded cast, producers said Thursday.

Daniel Craig returns as the suave secret agent for a third time in the film, to be directed by Academy Award-winner Sam Mendes ("American Beauty").

Spanish star Javier Bardem will also join the cast for 007's 23rd screen adventure as Bond's foe, producers said.

"There's lots of surprises," Mendes told reporters, as he confirmed filming will begin Thursday and will take place in London's Whitehall, and on location in Scotland, Istanbul and Shanghai.

English actress Naomi Harris plays a field agent called Eve, Judi Dench reprises her role as spy chief M, while French actress Berenice Marlohe also joins the cast.

Bond's future was thrown into doubt when studio MGM filed for bankruptcy in 2010. But its new management and Bond producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli announced earlier this year that the spy would live to fight another day.

The movie is due to be released a year from now, four years after Bond's last adventure, "Quantum of Solace."