MI6-HQ.com reports that the opening scenes for Bond 23 will be shot in Istanbul. Producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli met with Ertugrul Günay, Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister, on Tuesday to confirm plans for the filming to take place there in November.

"The opening scenes are planned to be filmed in Istanbul, but some other places will also be used outside Istanbul for the film," Günay said.

"James Bond is no stranger to Istanbul, and as the series marks its 50th anniversary next year, it is fitting that 007 would return to one of the most loved locations in the history of the franchise," Wilson added, "it really just feels like we are coming home."

Both From Russia With Love and The World is Not Enough featured scenes filmed in Istanbul.

The site says that locations that will be used include the city's historical neighborhood Sultanahmet Square. "There are, however, a number of locations, including the waterside and shores of the Bosporus, in consideration for the 10-15 minutes of the movie that is to be filmed in Turkey," Günay revealed.

Also mentioned is that the casting of a villain's girlfriend has begun with a search of Turkish actresses.

Directed by Sam Mendes, Bond 23 is scheduled for a November 9, 2012 release.