Amidst intense speculation as to who would play the new James Bond, the producers of the long-running hit film series announced Friday that "Casino Royale" would be the next Bond film.

Director Martin Campbell, responsible for fashioning 007's comeback in the late 1990s with Pierce Brosnan playing the spy, will be behind the camera for "Casino Royale", which was author Ian Fleming's first James Bond novel.

"We are thrilled that Martin has accepted our offer to direct 'Casino Royale'," producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson said in a joint statement, revealing the project's name for the first time.

"He is an extremely talented director and we believe he will help take our films in a new and exciting direction."

Brosnan, who has played the British superspy four times, is no longer in the running to reprise the role.

A long list of potential Bonds has been doing the rounds for months, and actors figuring on it include Dougray Scott, Ewan McGregor, Clive Owen, Orlando Bloom and Hugh Jackman.

Campbell will start work on "Casino Royale" after he wraps production on the adventure sequel "Legend of Zorro" starring Catherine Zeta Jones and Antonio Banderas.

It will be the 21st James Bond film to hit the big screen.

Broccoli and Wilson expect the film to be released in 2006. The script will be developed by Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, who worked on two Bond movies.

MGM vice chairman Chris McGurk said: "Martin (Campbell) is an incredibly exciting film-maker. 'Goldeneye' was a wonderful movie and helped reinvigorate the Bond franchise. We're thrilled to have him back to direct the newest Bond."

New Zealand-born Campbell moved to Britain in 1966 and has directed TV series like "The Professionals", "Minder" and "Bergerac". His film credits include "Vertical Limit" and "Beyond Borders".