Columbia Pictures has just released the first official photo from the highly anticipated James Bond film, Skyfall—the 23rd adventure in the longest-running film franchise of all time.              

The photo features Daniel Craig, back as James Bond 007 for the third time, in Shanghai, carrying a tiny pistol in what looks to be a tense situation...              

In the film, James Bond's loyalty to M (Judi Dench) is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.

Craig says on the progress of the movie's shoot: "We're well into filming now and I couldn't be happier with it all. We have a great script, incredible actors and a really strong creative team."              

Skyfall, from Albert R. Broccoli's Eon Productions, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, and Sony Pictures Entertainment, is directed by Academy Award® winner Sam Mendes ("American Beauty," "Road to Perdition").            

The screenplay is written by Neal Purvis & Robert Wade and John Logan. "Skyfall" will begin its worldwide roll-out in the UK and Ireland on October 26th, 2012 and in North America and Asia (including the Philippines) on November 9th, 2012.             

Joining Craig in the cast are Javier Bardem, Dame Judi Dench, Naomie Harris, Ralph Fiennes, Albert Finney, Ben Whishaw and Bérénice Marlohe.             

Skyfall is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.