5:29pm UK, Friday January 11, 2002

James Bond star Pierce Brosnan is to star in a fifth 007 film despite fears that his fourth would be his last.

The actor, who is due to begin work on the latest Bond epic - his fourth, has agreed to extend his contract - but he added that he might be too old to go beyond the fifth film.

sp pierce brosnan and halle berry1

Brosnan and Berry

The cast and crew of the latest film - the 20th Bond instalment - which is yet to be given a title, have assembled at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire ahead of the start of filming on Monday.

Bond girls

Brosnan said despite his contract being up after this film he still wanted to carry on for at least one more adventure.

"I will do another one. I am very pleased to be sitting here today," he said. "Time has gone by so quickly. It seems like only yesterday I was sitting here for GoldenEye."

Taking on the coveted role of the Bond girls will be American star Halle Berry and Oxford-educated newcomer Rosamund Pike.

Hovercraft chase

Berry previously starred in the films X-Men and Swordfish while Pike will make her big screen debut in the latest 007 epic.Joining the ranks of the villainous bad guys is British actor Toby Stephens.

The story begins in Korea with a spectacular high-speed hovercraft chase and continues via Hong Kong, Cuba and London. Bond must unmask a traitor in order to prevent a war of catastrophic consequences.

Other stars appearing include Dame Judi Dench as M, Samantha Bond as Miss Moneypenny and John Cleese in the role of Q following the death of Desmond Llewelyn. The film is expected to be released towards the end of the year.