With MGM’s financial difficulties and consequent funding issues stalling the start of production of Bond 23, we can all breathe a sigh of relief now as the well-oiled marketing machine has well and truly started for 007’s 23^rd outing - Sony has today unveiled the very first shot from Skyfall, due out in the UK on October 26. 

The image, while not overly exciting to say the least, at least confirms one of Skyfall’s *many* locations, with the official website confirming that the scene is set in the busy streets of Shanghai. We also catch a glimpse of Bond’s new look, with Daniel Craig opting to abandon the shaver for a meaner, rougher portrayal of 007. Could this possibly indicate Brit director Sam Mendes (American Beauty, Road To Perdition) is to shun the sentimentality of Quantum for a more hard-edged resurfacing of the Bond seen in Daniel Craig's debut, Casino Royale? It'd be welcome for sure.

Of course, we won’t get a true sense of the direction Mendes is taking the Bond franchise until we get to see the first teaser trailer. A November release in the UK would suggest we could be seeing the first of which as early as April/May in time for the summer blockbuster run. With such a stellar cast on board (Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris) however and an Oscar-winning director at the helm, Skyfall promises to be something very special indeed.

Skyfall is due for release in the UK/Europe on October 26 and in the US on November 9.