Aston Martins worth millions destroyed in Bond film Spectre

‘We set the record for smashing up cars on Spectre,’ says chief stunt co-ordinator Gary Powell.

The new James Bond film Spectre opens with a spectacular helicopter stunt in Mexico City.

James Bond’s last outing resulted in the destruction of the entire set — a country mansion built for Skyfall was consumed by an explosion and flames.

In the upcoming release Spectre, the filmmakers go a step further by smashing up seven brand new Aston Martins, the secret agent’s car of choice. A record £24 million ($51m) worth, as well as other expensive models, were destroyed during the production.

Gary Powell, chief stunt co-ordinator for the £200m film starring Daniel Craig, told The Mail on Sunday: “We set the record for smashing up cars on Spectre. In Rome we wrecked millions of pounds worth of cars.”

One scene involves a chase around Rome’s main sights. “There was a risk of skidding into the Vatican — that would have been catastrophic, but the sequence went without problems,” Powell says.

Only 150 models of the newest Aston Martin will be sold in conjunction with the film’s release next month.

An eyebrow-raising stunt opens the film as a helicopter flies down one of the main streets of Mexico City at 45 knots and only 10m from the ground. Chuck Aaron, the stunt pilot, told The Mail on Sunday that he was “at the limits of everything I can do” during that low flight.

Craig has hinted he is ready to leave the role of 007 behind after Spectre, his fourth Bond film. The Sunday Mirror claimed this week that Homeland star Damian Lewis was more likely to replace him than black actor Idris Elba.

Speaking recently to DuJour magazine, Craig said that after playing Bond it was hard for him to go to bars because people constantly took photographs of him on their mobile phones. “I mourn it slightly. I like to have a drink, and I love pubs. But that has a limit on it now.”

The Times