reported by Robert James, CyberScreenwriter.com

Braving danger, acts of espionage and violent punches in the boxing ring are nothing new for movie heroes James Bond and Rocky Balboa ? portrayed by actors Daniel Craig and Sylvester Stallone in upcoming holiday movies ?Casino Royale? and ?Rocky Balboa.? Yet, while audiences love the action, producers have to be sure their stars don?t go down swinging.

Fortunately, because these and other upcoming holiday films were insured by Fireman?s Fund Insurance Company, many potential risks were covered to ensure successful productions.

?This season?s lineup of movies ? action films, dramas, comedies and period pieces shot in remote locations ? presented a truly unique set of risk and underwriting scenarios,? said Joseph Finnegan, vice president of the entertainment division for Fireman?s Fund?.

With an over 80-year history of insuring many of the major Hollywood studio films, Fireman?s Fund entertainment division underwriters and loss control experts believe that each movie presents new challenges. The company is dedicated to helping producers and studios achieve the artistic results they are seeking, yet also ensuring they are filmed safely, finished on time and on budget. This is done by analyzing risks and finding solutions to cover specific exposures.

For example, ?Casino Royale? was filmed in several locations outside of Hollywood and included significant stunt work and special events, which always present potential for accidents and injuries.

Mel Gibson?s ?Apocalypto? presented underwriting challenges because it was filmed in a remote and primitive location ? the lower southern region of the Gulf Coast of Mexico. ?In a remote location in Mexico, there are always concerns that, should cast or crew become injured or ill, quality health care is not immediately available,? said Finnegan. ?As a result, special measures for transporting ill or injured persons have to be considered. Transit and care of equipment to remote sites is another key issue.?

Among those holiday films insured by Fireman?s Fund for release in November are ?Santa Clause 3,? starring Tim Allen (November 3), ?Stranger Than Fiction,? a comedy/drama with Will Ferrell (November 10), ?Fur,? a chronicle of the life of photographer Diane Arbus, starring Nicole Kidman (November 10), ?Bobby,? a dramatization of the assassination of Robert Kennedy (November 17), ?Casino Royale,? the new James Bond movie (November 17), ?For Your Consideration,? a Christopher Guest satire (November 22), and ?The Fountain,? a science fiction tale starring Hugh Jackman (November 22).

For December release, Fireman?s Fund insured ?The Nativity Story,? a dramatization of Mary and Joseph?s journey to Bethlehem for the birth of Jesus (December 1); and the Mel Gibson Mayan drama ?Apocalypto,? ?Breaking and Entering? starring Jude Law, and ?The Holiday,? with Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz, all opening on December 8.

Others include ?The Pursuit of Happyness,? starring Will Smith and his son (Dec. 15), ?Rocky Balboa? (Dec. 22), the drama/mystery ?The Good German? (Dec. 25), the thriller ?Perfume? (Dec. 27) and the futuristic ?Children of Men? (Dec. 29).