MANILA, Philippines — Producers of Bond 23 have released an official photo of Daniel Craig reprising Agent 007 in “Skyfall” following an unofficially leaked shot of the action hero days back.

In the publicity photograph, Craig was snapped with a pistol in Shanghai (one of the movie’s locations) as backdrop.

A release from Columbia Pictures described Bond to be in a “tense situation.” The same marketing strategy, where giant film outfits upload official action photos of films so the public will not rely on leaked materials, has been done in the past.

For “Skyfall,” a film that automatically tows in clamor, the marketing move was seen to drum up enough anticipation before official verdict is handed on Nov. 9, “Skyfall’s” US and Philippine theater release. The film will be shown two weeks ahead on Oct. 26 in the UK and Ireland.

According to MTV News, “Since production began on ‘Skyfall,’ there haven’t been many substantial updates on the film. Of course there has been casting news of villains as well as vague plot details, but little else in recent weeks. In other words, this photo represents a product of a long process. ‘Skyfall’ has been stuck in development hell for many years, and now, acclaimed director Sam Mendes is finally getting his chance to prove his weight in super-spy gold behind the camera.”

Craig, who was recently spotted in Manila visiting wife Rachel Weisz (herself filming an action spy franchise in “The Bourne Legacy”), updated Bond fans of “Skyfall’s” filming progress.

“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,” the “Road to Perdition” actor said.

“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 and Dench are joined by main villain Javier Bardem, Naomie Harris, Ralph Fiennes, Albert Finney, Ben Whishaw and Bérénice Marlohe in the cast.

(“Skyfall,” from Albert R. Broccoli’s Eon Productions, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, and Sony Pictures Entertainment, is directed by Academy Award winner Sam Mendes. Visit www.columbiapictures.com.ph to see the latest trailers, get free downloads and play free movie games. Like us at www.Facebook.com/ColumbiaPicturesPH and join our fan contests.)