BB FANS

The 21st official James Bond movie will be Casino Royale, it has been confirmed.

The news came on the day that outgoing Bond Pierce Brosnan thanked his fans for all their support over the years.

Martin 'GoldenEye' Campbell is being lined up to direct the new flick, due for release in 2006, and is meeting up with writers and producers to finalise the details.

David Niven starred in a Bond spoof of the same name in 1967.

However, the search for the new Bond continues with Jude Law, Clive Owen and Ewan McGregor all believed to be in the running.

Brosnan was shocked after bosses decided to drop him after the 2002 hit, Die Another Day.

But the Irish actor has since accepted the decision and posted a message on his personal website.

It read: "I would like to thank all of you who have supported me over the last year or so in regard to my playing Bond.

"But everything comes to an end, and one must accept this decision which cannot be dealt with in any other way but with some kind of grace and knowledge that I did the job to the best of my ability."

Brosnan recently called on movie bosses to cast Colin Farrell in the role.

Clive Owen and Daniel Craig are fighting it out to become the sixth James Bond, insiders say.

Executives for the next movie will choose either Owen or Craig to succeed Pierce Brosnan.

Brosnan, 51, will not appear in the next film, Casino Royale, after he failed to agree terms.

Owen, 40, and Craig, 37, are said to have beaten off competition from early contenders such as Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe.

Ewan McGregor and Colin Farrell were also in the running, before Owen and Craig captured the imaginations of the 007 producers.

A Bond source told The Sun: "They're both good looking and charming, but also have that dangerous edge.

"We feel they are the real deal. The million-dollar question is which one will get it.

"There have been lots of potential candidates but these two really fit the bill."

Meanwhile Nip/Tuck hunk Julian McMahon claimed he was also on the shortlist.

The 26-year-old Australian, who plays serial womaniser Dr Christian Troy in the TV show said: "I met the producers for a final audition. They told me to expect a decision in a couple of months and they said it was between me and one other person.

"It's going to be a very nervous wait."

In the new film, Bond faces his worst nightmare yet - having his tackle chopped off.

Bond will be tortured by a KGB agent who threatens to castrate him.