On Oct. 14, EON Productions announced that Daniel Craig (Tomb Raider, Road to Perdition) would fill the shoes left empty by Pierce Brosnan as James Bond, Agent 007, the legendary martini-loving spy fabled in novels by Ian Fleming and in 21 films. Craig will star in films 22-24, starting with November 2006’s Casino Royale, directed by Martin Campbell (GoldenEye) and based on Fleming’s first novel about the world’s favorite spy.

     While nothing could excite this particular movie buff more, earlier in the same week some disappointing news about another action franchise came across the wires.

     Sylvester Stallone, king of macho, has written and will direct and star in the sixth movie in the Rocky franchise. Instead of the traditional Rocky 6 (or VI) title, they’re going with Rocky Balboa. Stallone, 59, will return to the role that made him famous as Rocky, now a widower, comes out of retirement to “stay in the game,” fighting a few local fights. This all changes when the aging fighter is invited to duel with the current heavyweight champion of the world. First of all, Rocky’s a widower? That’s an interesting idea, but it just seems so far-fetched. If they make it that he wasn't tough enough to protect her or something, I swear I'll walk right out of the damn theater. (Providing I actually decide to see this god-forsaken piece of trash.) Second, who wants to see a steroid-pumped 60-year-old fight a 20-year-old fighter at the top of his game, with the 60-year-old (most likely) winning? It’s just ridiculous. I can’t believe they’re making a sixth Rocky movie. It should have stopped with the first.

     With the James Bond franchise, on the other hand, they keep trying new things, and I think the highly publicized “blond Bond” might be the ticket. While Craig might not have been my personal first choice (Clive Owen), I think that he’s a strong enough actor to help create more depth with the Bond character. Brosnan, who made four 007 films, is my personal favorite (close behind is the original, Sean Connery), and while I’m sad to see him go, it was time. Brosnan was getting a little old to play an action hero, and he and the producers realized it. (Ahem, Mr. Stallone.)

-Catherine Krummey