A Caterpillar 320D L hydraulic excavator has a starring role in the opening scene of the new James Bond film, “Skyfall.” In the film, secret agent, 007, played by Daniel Craig, operates the Cat excavator, in true Bond film fashion, on a train barreling down the tracks through the Turkish countryside.
“Seeing our machine on the big screen is exciting,” said Diane Lantz-Rickard, Caterpillar global brand marketing manager. “Seeing it featured in the world’s longest-running film franchise is simply amazing. Our brand has been featured in more than 20 movies dating as far back as 1927, and we worked with the Bond films previously in “The World Is Not Enough,” 1999. We’re proud to continue the association with such a respected and globally known brand.”
For the film, the 320D L was customized with the cab on the opposite side as requested by EON Productions, the James Bond production company.
“The cab switch, required for the location of the shoot and interaction between characters, took several months of pre-planning,” said Robert Woodley, Caterpillar communications manager for Europe, Africa, Middle East and the CIS. “The biggest challenge involved changing the electronics and hydraulics to accommodate the cab on the other side of the machine. Ultimately, two 320D L excavators were produced in Caterpillar’s Akashi, Japan, plant for ‘Skyfall.’ Cat dealers Finning UK and Borusan Makina were in on the action, too. Finning UK assisted the special effects department in technical support and supply of parts for the excavators. At the site, Borusan Makina provided on-site expertise and services as well as equipment, such as generator sets, a skid-steer loader and mini hydraulic excavator, for the shoot.”
To watch the movie trailer for “Skyfall,” visit http://www.007.com/videos/.
