Smash hit

He said having to come up with another idea for a Bond movie had "always been a challenge", adding: "I don't think it's ever been easy. There are more films that are in the action genre like our films now.

"But I think having Daniel in our minds as we write the stories has been very helpful. We made a decision to make them more real in the last film and that gives us something to go on," he said.

"There's much more action in this film compared to the last film. There's probably twice as much action sequences. It's pretty much jam-packed. Marc (Forster) has brought a lot of humanity to the characters, which makes it a very intriguing story to go with the action."

He said the title had been selected just a few days ago.

"This one is an original Fleming title. That's really important to us. It really suits the film. That's why we chose it," he said.

Broccoli added that she expected Craig, whose casting was criticised by many Bond fans when it was first announced, to make more 007 films after this one.

"We have talked about doing more films with him. He seems very happy to do that. So we'll just film one at a time," she said.

Craig caused a sensation when he was filmed coming out of the water in tight blue swimming trunks in Casino Royale.

Asked whether the scene would return, Broccoli joked: "I wish! I am still trying," to which Wilson added: "Barbara's insisting!"

Broccoli added: "Daniel is a very accomplished actor. I think he just concentrates on the role. That's what he did in the last one. That's what he's doing in this one. He's fantastic and I think people will love him coming back again."

Dame Judi Dench said of reprising the role of MI6 boss M: "It's very good to be back indeed. Also, because for me the most important thing is that when you do one part you get asked to do something that is the antithesis of that part.

"I've just played a role in Cranford (the TV drama) and you couldn't get further away from that character with M. It's very nice to be back in the Bond family."

Cinemagoers would see her in a stand-off with the spy and their relationship would be "pretty prickly", she said.

She said of the film franchise: "The thing about James Bond is that it appeals to an incredible cross section of people.

"The appeal for my grandson's friends is fantastic and probably for their fathers too.

"He's a terribly appealing character. You want to know more about him. It's wonderful to be part of this."

She said: "Every one of them (the Bond films) has been very, very different indeed. I think this is my sixth. It's just I've got more to do in this one which is terrific although I am just as frightened. I get to use more gadgets and look like I am running MI6, I hope."

The producers said Vesper Lynd would not make an appearance in the film but there would be flashbacks in Bond's mind.

There could be a return for Q and Miss Moneypenny in later films, the producers added.