MUMBAI: Following the success of Skyfall, the latest film in the James Bond series, the Academy will honour James Bond this year. The 85th Academy Awards will also pay a tribute to the Bond movie franchise that is currently celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Oscar producer Craig Zadan said, "We are very happy to include a special sequence on our show saluting the Bond films on their 50th birthday. Starting with Dr. No back in 1962, the 007 movies have become the longest-running motion picture franchise in history and a beloved global phenomenon."

Skyfall is expected to pick up a handful of nods when the Oscar nominations are announced this Thursday. Former Bond star Timothy Dalton feels Skyfall, the most successful Bond movie ever, is worthy of serious consideration in a number of categories.

In a recent interview, Dalton said that the latest blockbuster is "right at the forefront" of modern cinema. In the past, only two (films in the) spy series won Oscars, the 1964 release Goldfinger won the best sound effects trophy while the next Thunderball got the best special visual effects award.

"It is absolutely time for Bond to get proper attention at the Oscars. On almost every level, this Bond movie is right at the forefront of what cinema is capable of. It is an absolutely modern James Bond, a movie truly of its time. Daniel Craig is fantastic and it feels very real. I thought the film was fabulous," observed Dalton.

Skyfall has become the first Bond film to earn more than $1 billion at the global box office.