James Bond stage 'back in action'

The soundstage had previously been rebuilt after a fire in 1984

The 007 stage at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire has been rebuilt less than a year after it was destroyed by fire, reports trade paper Screen Daily.

The structure was demolished last year after the fire caused the roof to cave in, damaging a set from Casino Royale.

Its replacement is the same size as before, but with more usable space.

According to Screen Daily, Pinewood is talking to Bond producers about hosting the next 007 film. The studio was not immediately available for comment.

The paper says former Bond star Pierce Brosnan will be the first to use the newly rebuilt stage, as he stars in a big screen version of the hit Abba musical Mamma Mia.

Pinewood is due to launch a 007 stage website with information about current productions and images from the rebuilt set early next week.

Car chase

Originally created for the 1977 Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me, the stage has also hosted Mission: Impossible, Superman and the Tomb Raider movies.

The facility was previously rebuilt following a fire in 1984 that left six people needing treatment for burns, smoke inhalation and shock.

Since its reopening, when it was christened the Albert R Broccoli 007 Stage after the long-time producer of the series, it has been used in five James Bond films.

Scenes filmed around the studio include a car chase in Goldfinger's factory, and Spectre island in From Russia With Love.

The cause of last year's fire is still unknown, but the building did not have sprinklers fitted, according to the film company that rents out the space.