James Bond brushed off some lackluster reviews to sell an estimated $70.4 million in tickets at North American theaters, setting an opening-weekend record for this 46-year-old film franchise.

“Quantum of Solace,” starring Daniel Craig as 007, arrived in the United States unusually late; MGM and Sony Pictures released it overseas in late October. The move may have contributed to strong domestic sales. By withholding the hotly anticipated picture from fans in the world’s largest movie market, the studios stoked an online frenzy.

The movie’s global cumulative gross through Sunday was $322 million, according to Sony. “It’s an extraordinary opening that speaks to how much audiences have embraced Daniel Craig as Bond,” said Rory Bruer, Sony’s president for domestic distribution.

The stronger-than-anticipated opening is a relief to the two studios because of the picture’s outsize cost. The combined production and marketing budgets are estimated at about $400 million, although Sony places the number lower because of tax credits. MGM in particular was counting on a strong opening; a hit of this size helps shore up its financial footing.

Many critics poured cold water on “Quantum of Solace,” complaining that filmmakers strayed too far from the franchise’s signature story elements. The movie depicts a bitter and emotional 007 seeking revenge for the death of a lover. Assisted by a Russian-Bolivian agent (Olga Kurylenko), he stops a criminal (Mathieu Amalric) from taking control of a country’s water supply.

Domestic sales for “Quantum of Solace” were sharply higher than those for “Casino Royale,” the 2006 franchise entry that marked Mr. Craig’s debut in the role. That film sold $40.8 million in tickets during its first weekend in theaters. The previous high watermark was set by “Die Another Day,” which opened with $47.1 million in 2002.

The DreamWorks Animation film “Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa” was No. 2 at the weekend box office with $36.2 million in sales (for a new domestic total of $118.1 million). “Role Models,” an R-rated comedy from Universal Pictures, was third with $11.5 million ($37.8 million over all), and “High School Musical 3: Senior Year” (Disney) was fourth with $5.7 million ($84.3 million over all).

“Changeling” (Universal), the period drama starring Angelina Jolie, rounded out the Top 5 with $4.2 million ($27.6 million over all).

THE British singer has revealed a new statement regarding her involvements on “Quantum of Solace” movie soundtrack claiming that she has written a new song for it.

In other news, Amy herself recently has just won an award at the Ivor Novello. The singer managed to take home the award for Best Song Musically and Lyrically for her single “Love Is A Losing Game”.

The Beatles legend - who sang the title track for hit 1973 Bond film Live and Let Die - thinks troubled singer Amy has the perfect voice for a theme
song, and offered some advice to her.

He said: “I think Amy Winehouse would be really good, and I think she would do a really good job. My advice to her would be not to try and rhyme Solace with anything - that’s too hard.”

Paul also said despite being responsible for one of the most popular Bond tunes of all time, he wouldn’t want to have the responsibility again.

He added: “I definitely wouldn’t do it again. I have been trying to think of something to rhyme with Solace and all I can come up with is Wallace! I don’t envy whoever is going to do the song!”

Other singers who have recorded a 007 theme tune include, Dame Shirley Bassey, Tina Turner, Sir Tom Jones, Carly Simon and Lulu.

There are a couple of new Bond girls in town.

British actress Gemma Arterton and Ukranian model-thesp Olga Kurylenko have been cast opposite Daniel Craig in the forthcoming installment of the 007 franchise, which is currently shooting in London, the film’s producer confirmed.

Rumors that Arterton would be suiting up for the role have been circulating in the British tabloids and on Bond fan sites for several weeks.

Arterton and Kurylenko join the ranks of notable Bond girls of films past, including Halle Berry, Carey Lowell, Famke Janssen and Diana Rigg.

A virtual unknown, Arterton’s pre-Bond credits include the British comedy St. Trinian’s, in which she plays a naughty schoolgirl.

Few details about her character, known as M16 Agent Fields, have emerged; however, a representative for the film’s Los Angeles-based producer told the Hollywood Reporter, “it’s a nice-sized role.”

Kurylenko, whose role is described as Bond’s “leading lady,” recently starred opposite Timothy Olyphant in Hitman and opposite Elijah Wood inParis, je t’aime.  

The film, which currently goes by the working titleBond 22, marks Craig’s second go-round as the superspy, following his turn in 2006’s Casino Royale. Marc Forster is directing.

Craig is the sixth actor to portray Bond, following in the martini-swilling footsteps of Sean Connery,George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton and Pierce Brosnan.