New James Bond film cast, title announced

Ready Bond fans? The next James Bond film will have a title that nods to the series' past: "Spectre."

Director Sam Mendes announced the title Thursday, along with the identity of several new cast members and a new version of Bond's iconic Aston Martin car.

Spectre was the terrorist organization headed by Ernst Blofeld in early Bond films starting with "Dr. No."

Academy Award-winning Austrian actor Christoph Waltz is joining the cast, while Andrew Scott -- Moriarty from BBC series "Sherlock" -- will play a government official. Lea Seydoux and Monica Bellucci are the new "Bond girls."

Daniel Craig will play Bond for a fourth time, and Mendes returns as director after 2012's "Skyfall." The 46-year-old actor first starred in 2006's "Casino Royale," followed by 2008's "Quantum of Solace" and 2012's "Skyfall."

Bond producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli said they were "excited to announce Daniel's fourth installment in the series."

Returning cast members include Ralph Fiennes as spy chief M, Ben Whishaw as gadget-master Q and Naomi Harris as Miss Moneypenny.

"Skyfall" was the most successful Bond film yet, taking more than $1.1 billion at the global box office.

Waltz said his character was called Oberhauser, but many fans will hope he is really Blofeld, one of the most enduring Bond villains.

Principal photography on the new film begins Monday. Filming will take place at Pinewood Studios near London and on location in Morocco, Mexico and Austria.

The movie is due for release late next year. Go here for the James Bond website and more information on the film.