Actress Gemma Arterton (R) who plays Agent Fields, actor Daniel Craig who plays James Bond and actress Olga Kurylenko who plays Camille pose during a photocall at Pinewood Studios to mark the start of production of the 22nd James Bond film "Quantum of Solace", in Buckinghamshire, north of London January 24, 2008. [Agencies]

He and Forster decided his villainy should come from within.

"That's maybe what is horrible about today," Amalric said. "We can't guess who the villains are. The villains are invisible."

Amalric said he modeled his character to some extent on former Prime Minister Tony Blair and French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

"I've been taking details, the smile of Tony Blair, the craziness of Sarkozy, he's the worst villain we've ever had," he said.

Bond may find solace — producers are coy — in the arms of two Bond Girls — Ukrainian Olga Kurylenko as a feisty Bolivian named Camille and Gemma Arterton as an MI6 agent named Fields.

"In the movie, he is obviously still attached to his past," said Kurylenko. "The appearance of this new girl might divert him. Or, it might not."

Craig, who overcame public skepticism — a blond Bond? — to win rave reviews for "Casino Royale," said he still felt nervous about the role.

"All the fear I felt before is still there," he said.

"This is a $200 million movie, and it's James Bond. We have to make it great."