The next James Bond movie, Bond 23, will be partly shot in Istanbul, according to director Sam Mendes.

Secret agent, James Bond, one of Hollywood’s most enduring characters, will have new adventures in the city’s historical neighborhood Sultanahmet in the next film.

This would be the third Bond film to be shot in Istanbul – From Russia with Love in 1963, with Sean Connery was the first and The World Is Not Enough, released in 1999, starring Pierce Brosnan and Denise Richards was the second.

Director Sam Mendes has received permission from Turkish Culture Minister Ertuğrul Günay to shoot scenes for the film in Sultanahmet Square.

“Shooting will start within the next few months. We have discussed the issue and rather than closing the square completely, some parts could be partially closed from time to time for the filming,” Günay said, adding that it would be difficult to close the whole square. “We have to consider our tourists, but we can accommodate foreign film production companies that want to use Turkey as a platform.”

The film Bond 23 will be released in 2012 and has further importance as the series will celebrate its 50th anniversary. Actor Daniel Craig will play Bond for the third time.