Was Richard Branson in Casino Royale?
Background :
Branson was handed a walk-on role in Casino Royale after he helped to save movie dollars by sending a Virgin Atlantic plane to the Prague, Czech Republic set at the last minute. And for this favour a lifelong Bond fan, Branson asked director Martin Campbell ‘Can I just do a little cameo’ and the greatful director did oblige.
The entrepreneur has previously had cameos in the TV series Friends and Only Fools And Horses, and the films Around the World in 80 Days and Superman Returns. He said he was “just a little excited to be playing a cameo in the film”.
Confusion :
According to imdb and wikipedia, Richard Branson has a cameo in the film, but on the other hand there are reports that his scene was cut on the editing floor link
Branson was playing a frenzied passenger along with his son Sam going through Miami airport security in the film. Does anyone remember this scene?
(oh forgive me, couldn’t take my eyes off Daniel Craig 
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Of course he was there.
But the scene was not as long as >>”Branson was playing a frenzied passenger along with his son Sam going through Miami airport security in the film.”
All you can see is him being frisked at the airport. Its a tracking shot, because the camera is following the baddie (who wants to blow up the Skyfleet plane) who walks thru security (because he’s dressed as a security guard himself).
In that one shot when he walks by the security check, the camera pans to your right following the baddie and in that shot – that lasts only a second – you can see Branson (wearing a blue overall kinda thing) with his hands spread out being frisked.
Yeah, the movie was so ordinary I was vella enuff to pay attention to these details.
The one I mentioned was the original one, but maybe it got chopped off to what you mentioned.
And yes I remember that scene now
Thanks.
Thanks Shrutii, it does look like it was chopped. Maybe if they’d had it in its original form, there’d have been something to look forward to in the movie !.
Yes, Shrutii. He was there. BA has it spot on.
- I did catch Branson in the movie, he’s there for a fraction of a second, on the right side of the screen, putting his arms sideways for the security at the airport to frisk him. But then I thought Nah! he can’t be Branson…
Thank you for confirmation. My hubby thought I was daft when I asked if RB was in the film. I was more convinced when I saw a Virgin Atlantic plane taking off at the airport. Yup, split second, but def looked like him!
I saw Richard Branson and gave a loud laugh in the theatre. I was embarrassed when no one else laughed. Branson seemed to be having a good time, laughing, pleased with himself.
Yeah, me too. I thought WTF he is doing there?
:-?
Ya he was there, with his hands up and a security person was frisking him, i too spotted him but was shut up when people made fun of me…
I´m glad that I´m not alone persisting seeing Branson… Saw the picture tonight with my family, having read nothing about the film´s trivia. But the presence of Mr. Virgin did not escape my blue ones…
Any other famous cameos in the film?
just been watching the film and had a shock when i thought i saw richard branson…so i back tracked it and lo n behold it was…came on just to check though…lol
Yep and it was a Virgin airline that took off a few minutes later,or should that be late.:d
You actually first see him by the x-ray machine and then walking through the metal detector. He has his back to you but it’s clearly Branson. Then the shot cuts to 007. When it cuts back again he’s facing the camera with his arms raised as described. He’s in blue trousers and shirt (clearly not an overall).
British Airways had Branson and the Virgin plane’s tailflag removed for showing on their in-flight movies.
BA is sinking to not sinking to new levels because they have done this before when Branson has had cameo roles. BA always remove Richard Branson. Instead of making things better for their customer’s, BA spends its time and money “deleting” Branson and Virgin. lol
the super model alessandra ambrosia was in the movie too.. one of the tennis players coming out of the country club on the island.
Yes, he was definitely in there! But I cannot recall Alessandra Ambrosia ever being in the movie…
Just watched the movie for the 1st time (watching as I type) and picked it out right away without any prior knowledge. Had to rewind and pause my TIVO to make sure. No one to brag to though so I thought I’d look it up. Sure nuff. :-)