James Bond’s iconic Aston Martin makes an appearance in Italy

Daniel Craig may well have been absent, but filming continued regardless on the set of his fifth and final outing as James Bond on Sunday. 

Cast and crew were seen shooting another high-octane scene on the streets of Italian city Matera, one of several locations used in the franchise’s forthcoming 25th installment, No Time To Die.

With a city square serving as the focal point, Bond’s iconic Aston Martin DB5 was filmed driving erratically through busy traffic, albeit with a stunt driver behind the wheel.  

Quiet on set: Daniel Craig may well have been absent, but filming continued regardless on the set of his fifth and final outing as James Bond om Matera on Sunday

The vehicle appeared to be escaping – or perhaps chasing – an unseen foe through the picturesque city’s winding, tree-lined streets. 

Cast-members were also seen racing across one of several roads closed off as work on the new Bond film continued in earnest.

Running arm in arm, the male and female actors appeared to be in something of a hurry in their attempt to get out of the way. 

Watch out: Bond's iconic Aston Martin DB5 was filmed driving erratically through busy traffic, albeit with a stunt driver behind the wheel

Watch out: Bond’s iconic Aston Martin DB5 was filmed driving erratically through busy traffic, albeit with a stunt driver behind the wheel

On the run: Cast-members were also seen racing across one of several roads closed off as work on the new Bond film continued in earnest

On the run: Cast-members were also seen racing across one of several roads closed off as work on the new Bond film continued in earnest

On the run: Cast-members were also seen racing across one of several roads closed off as work on the new Bond film continued in earnest

Steady on: Two extras held onto each other as Bond's Aston Martin races past

Steady on: Two extras held onto each other as Bond’s Aston Martin races past 

One scene specific to Sunday’s shoot saw the Aston Martin driving head on into the path of an approaching car after rounding a corner. 

With Bond seemingly unwilling to give up the road, the smaller white car made a sharp turn to the right – almost colliding with a parked scooter. 

Production finally kicked off on the long-awaited film in April, though it had already been delayed by several months following the departure of original director Danny Boyle. 

Tailed: A second vehicle, laden with camera equipment, tracked the Aston Martin as it sped down a narrow street

Tailed: A second vehicle, laden with camera equipment, tracked the Aston Martin as it sped down a narrow street 

Picture perfect: Somewhat predictably the famous car generated a stir, with many onlookers keen to take pictures as it passed by

Picture perfect: Somewhat predictably the famous car generated a stir, with many onlookers keen to take pictures as it passed by 

No Time To Die will be the fifth and final James Bond movie to star Craig as the secret agent 007, after he first took on the role in 2006’s Casino Royale, and subsequently starred in Quantum of Solace, Skyfall, and Spectre.

The film, which also stars Naomie Harris, Lea Seydoux, Lashana Lynch, Ana de Armas, Ralph Fiennes and Ben Whishaw, sees Rami Malek take on the role of Bond’s latest nemesis. 

It has suffered a turbulent production process in recent months after Craig suffered a nasty ankle while filming a separate chase sequence in Jamaica, the spiritual home of Bond creator Ian Fleming.

Capturing every moment: The tracking vehicle stayed ahead of Bond's car, while a large camera crane attached to its roof filmed the action from behind

Capturing every moment: The tracking vehicle stayed ahead of Bond’s car, while a large camera crane attached to its roof filmed the action from behind 

Plenty to talk about: Cast-members, among them a girl in a distinctive white dress, were seen chatting to members of the production team

Plenty to talk about: Cast-members, among them a girl in a distinctive white dress, were seen chatting to members of the production team 

The actor underwent an operation followed by two weeks of rehabilitation in May, causing major delays to the long awaited production.

The official Twitter account for Bond 25 released a statement concerning his injuries at the time, writing: ‘Daniel Craig will be undergoing minor ankle surgery resulting from an injury sustained during filming in Jamaica.

‘Production will continue whilst Craig is rehabilitating for two weeks post-surgery. The film remains on track for the same release date in April 2020’.

Here we go: One scene saw the Aston Martin round a corner as onlookers watched from the safety of the pavement

Here we go: One scene saw the Aston Martin round a corner as onlookers watched from the safety of the pavement 

Face to face: Only to be confronted by a car speeding in the opposite direction

Face to face: Only to be confronted by a car speeding in the opposite direction 

Near miss: The opposing vehicle narrowly avoids a collision by veering sharply to the right

Near miss: The opposing vehicle narrowly avoids a collision by veering sharply to the right 

Don't mind me: The Aston Martin's path is unobstructed as the other driver almost ploughs into a parked scooter

Don’t mind me: The Aston Martin’s path is unobstructed as the other driver almost ploughs into a parked scooter 

The British star was said to have flown to New York City for treatment, but was thought to be ‘furious’ that he injured himself after months of gruelling preparation for the role.

Meanwhile over at the UK’s Pinewood Studios three explosions went off on set after a stunt went wrong during filming last month.

Health and Safety officials arrived on the set of the beleaguered movie after an explosion ripped a hole in a sound stage and injured a member of the crew.

Busy: Crowds gathered for a glimpse at the film's stars, but Daniel Craig was nowhere in sight

Busy: Crowds gathered for a glimpse at the film’s stars, but Daniel Craig was nowhere in sight 

A welcome break: Actors were seen passing the time alongside the stationary Aston Martin

A welcome break: Actors were seen passing the time alongside the stationary Aston Martin 

Special effects: The actress's face was covered in motion capture spots as she waited for her next scene

Special effects: The actress's face was covered in motion capture spots as she waited for her next scene

Special effects: The actress’s face was covered in motion capture spots as she waited for her next scene

He looks familiar: One crew member sported  rumpled sports jacket and shirt not dissimilar to those worn by Bond

He looks familiar: One crew member sported  rumpled sports jacket and shirt not dissimilar to those worn by Bond 

Double: The outfit suggested he may well be filling in as Daniel Craig's stunt double

Double: The outfit suggested he may well be filling in as Daniel Craig's stunt double

Double: The outfit suggested he may well be filling in as Daniel Craig’s stunt double

Hectic: No Time To Die has suffered a turbulent production process in recent months, but filming has been notably smoother of late

Hectic: No Time To Die has suffered a turbulent production process in recent months, but filming has been notably smoother of late 

New location: The production has moved to Italy after previous shoots in England, Scotland, Norway and Jamaica

New location: The production has moved to Italy after previous shoots in England, Scotland, Norway and Jamaica 

The official Twitter account for the 007 franchise confirmed the blasts, with a post saying: ‘During the filming of a controlled explosion on the set of Bond 25 today at Pinewood Studios, damage was caused to the exterior of the 007 Stage.

‘There were no injuries on set, however one crew member outside the stage has sustained a minor injury.

Filming for the movie began in April, four years after previous Bond film, the much maligned Spectre, was released.

Yet it has been claimed the screenplay for the film is being endlessly re-written by a committee consisting of director Cary Joji Fukunaga, Phoebe Waller-Bridge and leading man Craig. 

Engaging sight: The Aston Martin attracted plenty of attention on Sunday afternoon

Engaging sight: The Aston Martin attracted plenty of attention on Sunday afternoon 

Let's go: The car drove at walking pace as its tracking vehicle cruised ahead, dictating the speed

Let's go: The car drove at walking pace as its tracking vehicle cruised ahead, dictating the speed

Let’s go: The car drove at walking pace as its tracking vehicle cruised ahead, dictating the speed

It's behind you: Another car drove a dozen feet or so behind the Aston Martin as it drive through a narrow city street

It’s behind you: Another car drove a dozen feet or so behind the Aston Martin as it drive through a narrow city street

Here they come: The Bond double and his female passenger were inside the car as they filmed another scene

Here they come: The Bond double and his female passenger were inside the car as they filmed another scene

‘She’s writing a re-write of a re-write,’ a source told the Daily Mail’s Baz Bamigboye of Waller-Bridge’s recent involvement in the project.

‘Daniel’s writing. Cary’s writing. The crew reckon they’re working on a well-polished s**t show.

‘They have an outline of plot, but dialogue is all last-minute. It’s not the way to make a movie. I would imagine they’ll sort it out in the cutting room. That’s where most movies get made anyway. But you’d think the Bond lot would be more together.’

No Time To Die is scheduled for release on April 3 2020 in the United Kingdom and April 8 2020 in the United States.

Getting involved: A motorbike equipped with an IMax camera was also seen on set

Getting involved: A motorbike equipped with an IMax camera was also seen on set 

Stunning: Matera's narrow streets served as the perfect setting for Bond's latest brush with danger

Stunning: Matera’s narrow streets served as the perfect setting for Bond’s latest brush with danger 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk