It’s been four long years since James Bond was last on our screens in 2008’s Quantum Of Solace.

MGM’s well-documented  financial troubles meant that production was suspended back in 2010, with a question mark over whether the film would get made at all. MGM eventually managed to haul itself out of bankruptcy, but the film’s 2012 release date was much later than had initially been envisaged.

However, director Sam Mendes feels that the delay has actually worked to Skyfall’s advantage.

“It’s fair to say that there’s no screenplay that wouldn’t be improved by having a year more to work on it,” said Mendes in an interview with Collider.

“I think it’s fair to say that without the extra time we wouldn’t have written such a good baddie, and I don’t think we would have gotten Javier [Bardem] to play him.”

Indeed, Bond films tend to live and die by their villains (Quantum Of Solace was particularly hamstrung by uninspiring eco-baddie, Dominic Green), and in Bardem, Mendes is convinced he has found the right man for the job ...