As a naval commander, you'd expect 007 to know a thing or two about seafaring vessels. When it comes to motor yachts, British brand Sunseeker rules the waves, and their craft have appeared in several James Bond films... usually with villains at the helm.
THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH
Sunseeker Superhawk 34 in "The World Is Not Enough" (1999)
The company's maiden voyage with the Bond franchise was 25 years ago, in the electrifying pre-title sequence of "The World is Not Enough," when a Sunseeker Superhawk 34 hurtled along the River Thames in London, clocking speeds exceeding 60 mph.
Bond, aboard his Q-boat, embarked on a high-stakes pursuit of the Sunseeker, helmed by the deadly assassin Giulietta da Vinci, portrayed by Maria Grazia Cucinotta. Equipped with a menacing automatic gun affixed to its rear, the Sunseeker met its demise near the Millennium Dome as Bond skilfully dispatched it with a volley of two mini-torpedoes.
Have your own Bond experience in "Shaken Not Stirred"
For those who would like to experience their own 007 Thames River moment, Diplomat Cruises offer the opportunity to take a trip in "Shaken Not Stirred" - the actual Superhawk 34 used in the film. It should be a fun afternoon for 6-8 passengers, although speed restrictions apply and the Sunseeker must be returned in one piece.
Two hours aboard Shaken Not Stirred starts at £1,350. Click here for details.
DIE ANOTHER DAY
Halle Berry as Jinx Johnson
In the subsequent 007 movie, "Die Another Day" (2002), Halle Berry's character, Jinx Johnson, climbs aboard a Sunseeker Superhawk 48 after escaping from Isla Los Organos by diving off a cliff into the ocean... what a stylish way to avoid pursuit.
Jinx Johnson about to be welcomed aboard the Sunseeker
CASINO ROYALE
In 2006, it was time for Daniel Craig to take the helm as the world's favourite secret agent, with his first appearance as 007 in "Casino Royale". Along with the fresh actor came a new Aston Martin - the DBS - together with an old friend - the DB5. Sunseeker also returned to the franchise with a number of models.
The Sunseeker XS 2000
The XS 2000 was the product of collaboration between Sunseeker and Fabio Buzzi, the Italian powerboat champion racer and designer who sadly died in 2019 whilst attempting to break the offshore speed record from Monte Carlo to Venice. The boat features a unique stepped hull made from GRP and Carbon/Kevlar composites and has a cruising speed of 40 knots with a maximum of 60 knots. The Sunseeker XS 2000 makes an appearance in Casino Royale during the scene in which Bond arrives in the Bahamas aboard a seaplane.
The Sunseeker Predator 108
The real aquatic star of Casino Royale is the Sunseeker Predator motor yacht owned by Bond villain, Le Chiffre. The elegant vessel, which sports a navy blue, beautifully proportioned hull, and sweeping windows, was filmed on location in the Bahamas and makes an appearance on multiple occasions. Sunseeker also built replicas of the interior accommodation of the superyacht, before dismantling them and shipping to Prague to be rebuilt in the film studios and mounted on hydraulic lifts to mimic ocean movement.
The Casino Royale
In 2016, the Casino Royale underwent a two-phase extensive refit that lasted for six months and cost approximately €1.5 million. It was offered for sale the following year with an asking price of €3.95 million. Don't worry if you missed the opportunity to purchase the yacht - it is currently available for charter.
Casino Royale weekly charter rates are €65,000 - €75,000. Click here for details.
QUANTUM OF SOLACE
The Sunseeker Superhawk 43 from Quantum of Solace.
Daniel Craig returned as 007 in the 2008 Bond movie "Quantum of Solace". Sunseeker also made a fourth consecutive film appearance, and again it was the brand of choice for the Bond villains.
General Medrano and his henchmen take Camille (Olga Kurylenko) captive aboard their Sunseeker Superhawk 43, but Bond ruins their voyage by ramming his speedboat into the side of the hull. Kurylenko later said that she'd feared for her life when shooting the scene.
Director Marc Forster recalls, “The entire boat sequence was all shot for real. There was no green screen work. When I was working with Daniel and Olga (Kurylenko) I had to make sure they were secure with the stunt work, and at the same time we got what we needed action-wise.”
Sunseeker Sovereign 17
After almost a decade of filming Sunseekers in the Bond movies, 007 finally got the opportunity to take a ride in one of their boats as he visits René Mathis at Villa Le Torre, located near Talamone in Tuscany, on the west coast of central Italy. He is transported in a Sunseeker Soverign 17, originally built in 1970, and restored by the company in 2005. A cameo role, as pilot of the boat, was given to Sunseeker founder and president at the time, Robert Braithwaite CBE.
James Bond - travelling in style
Today, Sunseeker remain the leading brand for luxury performance motor yachts. With seven yacht ranges, they offer the most diverse product portfolio in the world.
Click here to learn more.