James Bondmovies often take place in multiple locations, and while some were put together for the films, others are real and open to visits. While not everybody wants to be a spy, it cannot be denied that James Bond has an exciting life with some enviable perks. High-tech gadgets have become a staple ofeveryJames Bondmovie, his Aston Martin is iconic, and virtually all the007movies see him traveling around the world. This lifestyle is so aspirational that there are businesses built on living like James Bond, even includingBond-themed travel getaway packages.
As James Bond is the most famous British spy of all time, the007movie franchise has often featured famous locations in the UK, like the MI6 headquarters. Other recognizable locations have been repurposed, like The Eden Project in Cornwall, which was used as the villain’s diamond mine inDie Another Day. Still, Bond does not spend much time in the UK, and while he tends to travel in luxury, thebestBondvillains' hidden lairsare often even more opulent.Dr. Nomight have started the tradition of hidden lairs, but Scaramanga’s is one of the most memorable.
James Bond Island Is A Real Place In Thailand You Can Visit
Scaramanga’s Island Is One Of The Best Bond Villain Lairs
Khao Phing Kan is one of a group of islands in Thailand that appear to defy gravity. Khao Phing Kan means “hills leaning against each other” in Thai, butafter the islands were featured in 1974’sThe Man with the Golden Gun, they have collectively become known as “James Bond Island.“The Man with the Golden Gunis not one ofRoger Moore’s bestJames Bondmovies, but it was saved by Christopher Lee’s performance as the villainous assassin Scaramanga, and the island is the backdrop for one of his best scenes inThe Man with the Golden Gun.
Scaramanga is thought to be based on one of Ian Fleming’s Eton classmates.
Bond and Scaramanga are set to have a gun duel, where the odds look stacked against Bond because Scaramanga has such a good aim that he charges one million dollars per shot. The two men stand back-to-back with the striking island in the background. However, when Bond turns to fire, he finds Scaramanga has disappeared into a secret passageway leading to a giant funhouse, which extends deep inside the island.Scaramanga’s private island is unlike otherBondvillain lairs, full of disorienting projections, and the scenes in the funhouse put somehorror movie moments inJames Bond.
GoldenEye Is Also Real: You Can Visit The Home Of James Bond Creator Ian Fleming
Several Bond Movies Have Been Filmed Near Goldeneye (But Not GoldenEye)
TheJames Bondcreator,Ian Fleming, lived on a Jamaican estate known as Goldeneye for three months out of each year. This is where he first wrote the character of James Bond in the novelCasino Royalein 1962. Fleming suffered from writer’s block, but he wrote all of hisJames Bondnovels at Goldeneye for the next 12 years. Over time, more cabins and rooms were added to the estate, and it is now a group of luxury properties thatJames Bondfans can visit and stay in, though they can cost around three thousand dollars per night.
10 James Bond Villains Who Nearly Defeated 007
Several James Bond villains came close to killing 007 thanks to either a great plan or some kind of personal attack, from Dr. No to Le Chiffre.
Dr. NoandLive and Let Diewere filmed near the Goldeneye estate, and it may surprise viewers to know that the name “GoldenEye” was used inthe 1991 animated seriesJames Bond Jr.before becoming the title of Pierce Brosnan’s firstBondmovie.GoldenEyewas filmed in several locations including Russia, the UK, and Puerto Rico, but none included Jamaica’s Goldeneye estate. That said, fans wanting to visitJames Bondlocations have many options all around the world to choose from, including Scaramanga’s island lair, London’s major landmarks, and Ian Fleming’s inspiring retreat.
James Bond
The James Bond franchise follows the adventures of British secret agent 007 as he combats global threats. With a license to kill, Bond faces off against various villains and criminal organizations, employing high-tech gadgets, espionage, and charm. The series spans multiple films, featuring exotic locations, thrilling action sequences, and memorable characters. Bond’s mission to protect the world and uphold justice remains central, making the franchise an enduring icon in the spy genre.
