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Bond filming wrapping up

Crews filmed in Panama City and Colón for the past seven weeks and used hundreds of extras.

LA PRENSA

no trouble:Daniel Craig, who portrays superspy James Bond, has no problem getting a taxi after a day of filming.1000846

After six and a half weeks, the James Bond crew is saying goodbye to Panama.

Thursday will be the last of 25 days of filming in Colón. Scenes were shot in venues such as the Fénix building on Calle 12 and Meléndez; the Arboix building and streets around Puerto Cristóbal and the Marina de Sherman, said Joy Martin, location chief in Panama.

The film's production heads held a press conference yesterday to discuss the details of the shooting as well as to thank the local residents and government officials for their cooperation.

Producer Michael Wilson said that Panama was a very good place to film a movie because of the variety of backgrounds that are available.

The movie employed about 1,000 extras, including 250 Panamanians, and contributed an estimated $10 million to the economy.

Fellow Producer Callum McDougall said that hosting a James Bond film often boosts tourism to that area because people are interested in seeing where a particular scene took place. He noted that Thailand experienced a marked increase in visitors after serving as the primary location for a previous chapter in the 22-film series.

Martin denied rumors that the production crew had problems with thefts in Colón.

"The people have been very receptive and happy to help where they could," the location chief said.

The movie was filmed primarily in Colón and Panama City.

The producers added that Daniel Craig, who stars in the movie, celebrated his 40th birthday in Panama, and they said he enjoyed his party.

The film is due for release this fall.