EA entices Connery back to play Bond once more

Actor Sean Connery is set to reprise his role as the original James Bond in Electronic Arts' next game to be based on the 007 franchise, From Russia With Love, which is set for release this autumn.

The celebrated Scottish actor will record new dialogue for the game, and his likeness will be taken from the 1963 movie - as will the likeness of most of the other principal characters, with the actors all signed up to appear in the title.

From Russia With Love is the latest game in the Bond franchise, and returns players to the shoes of the world's most famous spy after giving them a chance to play as a bad guy in last Christmas' critically derided GoldenEye: Rogue Agent.

The title is set for release on PS2, Xbox and GameCube in autumn - well ahead of the launch of the next theatrical Bond movie, Casino Royale, which is due to arrive in 2006 and doesn't yet have a confirmed actor for the lead role.

"As an artist, I see this as another way to explore the creative process," Sir Sean commented in an official statement. "Video games are an extremely popular form of entertainment today, and I am looking forward to seeing how it all fits together."