Category: James Bond

Bond 25 Finally Got Some Good News

It’s been a long and challenging road for Bond 25. The 25th James Bond movie hasn’t had much momentum since Spectre hit theaters, but it seemed like it things were finally coming together when Danny Boyle signed on to direct. However, the film hit a significant snag when Boyle departed over creative differences, sending Bond 25 back to square one. It was a severe blow to be sure, and now the movie is on the road to recovery. It’s still unclear what exactly this movie will be about, but the writers are getting the go-ahead to turn their treatment into a script.

Danny Boyle was initially hired to write and direct Bond 25, which would see the return of Daniel Craig to the iconic role. However, creative differences forced Boyle to leave the project, and screenwriters Neal Purvis and Robert Wade were brought onboard to write a new treatment. Purvis and Wade have a long history with the Bond franchise since 1999’s The World Is Not Enough, so it makes sense that they’d be involved with the latest movie.

According to Deadline, the screenwriters have turned in their treatment, which the duo will now work on turning into a script. It’s not quite as big as finding a new director, but it’s progress. The writing duo is reportedly using elements from Danny Boyle’s script, so the director’s version of Bond 25 will live on in some form. There’s no word on any plot details, which probably won’t surface in an official capacity until sometime after the script is turned in. The hunt for a director is still underway with names like Edgar Wright, Yann Demange, and David Mackenzie being floated around.

While the news that progress is being made on getting Bond 25 to the big screen is good, it can also be viewed as a mixed bag. Neal Purvis and Robert Wade have written some good Bond movies, but it could also mean that we are getting more of the same. Part of the reason people were excited about Danny Boyle’s involvement was that is signaled something new and unique was in store for the franchise. However, getting more of a good thing is not necessarily bad, and Purvis and Wade were the writers of great films like Skyfall and Casino Royale.

The movie is still scheduled to be released on November 8, 2019.

Bond 25 Director Confirmed as Danny Boyle, Production With Daniel Craig Begins December 2018

It’s official: MGM and Annapurna will team up to distribute Bond 25 in the U.S. on November 8, 2019. Universal Pictures has won the lucrative rights to handle the film’s international distribution. Sony previously handled Bond distribtion, but it’s rights to the franchise expired after “Spectre” and set off a bidding war among studios. The next 007 installment will open in the U.K. first on October 25, 2019.

In addition to the confirmed distributors, 007 studio Eon Productions has also confirmed Danny Boyle will direct Bond 25, which will once again star Daniel Craig as the world’s most famous spy. Boyle has been a contender for several months now, with his hiring dependent on whether or not 007 producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli liked the script Boyle hatched with his “Trainspotting” screenwriter John Hodge.

Franchise veterans Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, who scripted all of Craig’s 007 movies and the Pierce Brosnan entries “The World Is Not Enough” and “Die Another Day,” were originally comissioned to write the screenplay for Bond 25. The duo finished a draft but it was put on hold after Boyle pitched an idea Wilson and Broccoli enjoyed. With Boyle now confirmed to direct, it’s clear the producers loved Hodge’s screenplay.

Boyle will start production on Bond 25 this December at Pinewood Studios in the U.K. First up on the director’s slate is an untitled musical comedy written by Richard Curtis and starring Lily James and Kate McKinnon. The movie already has a September 2019 release date.

Will James Bond Continue To Be A Handsome White Dude After Daniel Craig Leaves?

The times are a changin’ for the James Bond franchise. Eon Productions is still looking for a director to succeed Sam Mendes and oversee James Bond 25, as well as figure out if the movie will remain at Sony Pictures or be released by a different studio. Once James Bond 25 is out of the way, it will be the end of an era, as it will mark Daniel Craig’s last time playing 007. It will be a long time until we learn who Craig’s Bond replacement will be, but Eon producer Barbara Broccoli hasn’t ruled out that the next person to play the spy who’s fond of drinking shaken, not stirred, martinis won’t be the traditional white man. When asked if the next James Bond could be a woman and/or person of colour, Broccoli responded:

“These films tend to reflect the times so we always try to push the envelope a little bit. Anything is possible.”

While this is by no means confirmation that the next time we see James Bond, it will be a woman or person of color portraying the spy, Barbara Broccoli’s comment to Daily Mail reveal that the option, among others, hasn’t been ruled out. For over 50 years, James Bond has been played by a white man, and while each have ranged in age and occasionally had different hair color, there haven’t been many major visual differences between these incarnations. Given the loose continuity between each “generation” of James Bond movies, the franchise could certainly “relaunch” with a different kind of actor donning the tuxedo, much like how 2006’s Casino Royale was a reboot that introduced Daniel Craig as a Bond who was just beginning his career as a 007 agent. This doesn’t work quite as seamlessly as Time Lords regenerating on Doctor Who, but it’s a creative direction that’s at least on the table.

For now, though, Eon Productions is working on making sure that Daniel Craig’s tenure as James Bond ends with a bang. After months of rumors and speculation, Craig finally confirmed that he would play Bond for a fifth time. Neil Purvis and Robert Wade returned to pen the script, and last August, it was reported that Denis Villeneuve, David Mackenzie and Yann Demange were the frontrunners for the directing gig, though Villeneuve has since taken himself out of the running due to already being committed to the Dune reboot. So far Craig is the only actor confirmed to appear in James Bond 25, but it was rumored last September that Léa Seydoux might briefly reprise her role as Dr. Madeleine Swann, who debuted in Spectre.

James Bond 25 will be released in theaters on November 8, 2019, so keep checking back with CinemaBlend for updates on that movie, as well as what’s in store for 007 after that. Don’t forget to also browse through our 2018 premiere guide to see what’s being screened over the next 12 months.

Who Daniel Craig May Want To Direct The Next James Bond Movie

With Daniel Craig reportedly set to return to the Bond franchise for one more ride in Bond 25, the race is on to find a new director to take the reins on the project. For many filmmakers, this would represent a dream job, and Bond fans have consistently chimed in with their ideas about who should get the gig — ranging from Christopher Nolan to Quentin Tarantino. Now it seems that Craig may have a dream choice of his own, as new rumors have hinted that the Bond actor wants Blade Runner 2049’s Denis Villeneuve.

With anticipation running high for Denis Villeneuve to dive headfirst into the Blade Runner universe, Daniel Craig reportedly seems to think that the Canadian filmmaker could similarly rejuvenate the James Bond franchise with the upcoming production of Bond 25. Craig is reportedly championing Villeneuve to step behind the camera on the twenty-fifth entry in the long-running spy franchise, and based on the number of hoops studio has been willing to jump through to lock him down, it’s not outside the realm of possibility to assume that the actor’s support could go a long way towards getting Villeneuve the job. This report comes after another recent news story broke suggesting that Denis Villeneuve was one of three frontrunners on the Bond 25 shortlist — with the other two options being Hell or High Water’s David Mackenzie and ’71’s Yann Demange.

As a filmmaker, Denis Villeneuve already has quite a bit going for him to deliver some strong results in the world of James Bond. With his work on films like Sicario and Prisoners, he has shown his capability of producing grounded, gritty, and downright mean thrillers. As the Daniel Craig Bond years have very much felt defined by a down and dirty sensibility, this could potentially make him a perfect choice to take over from Sam Mendes — who directed Skyfall and Spectre.

Beyond his potential comfort in a Bond film, Denis Villeneuve’s recent work seems to show just how ambitious his films have become as he has moved into bigger and bolder territory. Blade Runner 2049 has already garnered a ton of buzz, and his Oscar-nominated work on Arrival showed what he’s capable of when he lets loose and plays with cerebral, non-linear stories fronted by strong female characters. Put all of that together, and you have the recipe for a Bond film unlike anything that we have ever seen before. Per this recent Daily Mail report, it certainly makes sense that Daniel Craig may want Villeneuve for this job.

Only time will tell if Denis Villeneuve will step behind the camera for Bond 25, but it is a possibility that has us very excited. Until then, you can catch the director’s latest work on Blade Runner 2049, which debuts in theaters on October 6.

More James Bond 25 Plot Details May Have Leaked

Now that the drama of who will play James Bond in the next film is behind us, we can begin to focus on the drama that will transpire on screen once the 25th James Bond film finally arrives. New details may have leaked which paint an interesting picture of the film’s story. Specifically, it hints at how Bond 25 may relate to Spectre as well as another story from James Bond’s past, the movie On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.

The rumor states that the next James Bond film will see the return of Léa Seydoux in her role as Dr. Madeleine Swann from Spectre. The two characters walked off together in Spectre and as the new film opens, the two are reportedly married and James Bond has quit his spying lifestyle. Things are not all sunshine and rainbows forever, however, as Dr. Swann is somehow killed, Page Six doesn’t specify how, bringing Bond back to work in a quest for vengeance.

If that plot sounds slightly familiar, it’s because this description of how Bond 25 starts is exactly how On Her Majesty’s Secret Service ends. The only James Bond film to star George Lazenby as the super spy, it was also a very different Bond film because of its story. Bond saves a woman, Tracy di Vicenzo, at the beginning of the movie, and marries her at the end. However, before they can even start their new life together, she is killed by another character familiar to those who saw Spectre, Ernst Stavro Blofeld.

Christoph Waltz played Blofeld in Spectre and there’s been some indication that the character will return for the new film as well. The primary villain has been rumored to be somebody else, but it’s possible that this new character could be a Blofeld lieutenant who takes out Bond’s wife as payback for Bond stopping Blofeld.

An early rumor regarding the future of the James Bond franchise had indicated that Daniel Craig would film two more Bond movies, with the second being a direct remake of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. While this rumor appears to contradict that to some degree, it certainly seems to indicate that wherever these rumors are starting, some relationship to that specific movie is certainly on the table. Maybe the new Mrs. James Bond will survive the next movie, but if she does her number may be up in Bond 26.

While On Her Majesty’s Secret Service was not well-received in its day — and it’s always been something of a black sheep of the franchise due to its lead only being around for one film — in recent years the film has become much better regarded. Maybe this is why the studio is looking at remaking, or at least adapting elements, from that story.

Bond 25 is currently without a title but it does have a release date, November 8, 2019.

Daniel Craig Confirms Return to James Bond Role

The actor told ‘Late Show’ host Stephen Colbert that he will be returning for his fifth film as the famous spy in ‘Bond 25.’

James Bond fans were shaken and stirred Tuesday night.

Daniel Craig officially confirmed he will return to the role of Agent 007 in the upcoming Bond 25 on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Tuesday. Craig had previously been attached to the project by reports from the New York Times and others, but never confirmed personally — until his appearance on Colbert’s show.

“Yes,” Craig told Colbert point-blank, when asked if he will return as the secret agent. “I always wanted to, I wanted a break,” he said of returning to the character.

He also confirmed that it would be the last time he would tackle the iconic role, saying, “I just want to go out on a high note, and I can’t wait.”

Craig earlier Tuesday morning told a Boston radio program, “I’d hate to burst the bubble, but no decision has been made at the moment. There’s a lot of noise out there and nothing official has been confirmed and I’m not, like, holding out for more money or doing anything like that. It’s just all very personal decisions to be made at the moment,” Craig said on Morning Magic 106.7. “I know they’re desperate to get going and I would in theory love to do it, but there is no decision just yet.”

Craig has been playing Agent 007 since 2006’s Casino Royale, and has since starred in three other Bond films: 2008’s Quantum of Solace, 2012’s Skyfall and 2015’s Spectre. Craig made headlines following the release of the latter for making negative comments about the possibility of continuing the role. “I’d rather break this glass and slash my wrists,” the star told Time Out London in 2015 of a possible return to the role.

Recently, Craig has seemed to have softened his outlook toward reprising the role, however. The franchise has flourished with Craig in the lead, with Spectre earning $880 million worldwide and 2012’s Skyfall earning more than $1.1 billion.

The as-of-yet untitled Bond 25 was officially announced by EON Productions and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer last month with a slated Nov. 8, 2019 release date.

Wait, Daniel Craig Still Hasn’t Made A Decision About James Bond?

Every time we think we know the current status of the James Bond franchise, a new story upends that notion. That goes double for 007 himself. Daniel Craig’s willingness to return to the series has consistently fluctuated since 2015, ranging from total disdain for the character to a full-blown desire to return. While many of us had previously assumed that he would return for two more movies, the actor addressed this while promoting the upcoming release of Logan Lucky and admitted that he’s not as attached to the next two Bond films as we previously thought, explaining:

“No decision has been made at the moment, there’s a lot of noise out there and nothing official has been confirmed. And I’m not, like, holding out for more money or doing anything like that. It’s just all very personal decisions to be made at the moment. I know they’re desperate to get going and I would in theory love to do it, but it’s just there is no decision just yet.”

Daniel Craig seems to have softened his tone towards the overall Bond franchise in recent months, as he had previously said that he would rather slash his wrists than come back for another film. That said, despite his apparent interest in returning, he also recognizes the daunting task ahead of him if he decides to do so. His decision could go either way from here, but it’s a decision that he has yet to make.

If he doesn’t return, it’s hard to deny that there are definite advantages to walking away from the Bond franchise. Daniel Craig has more than proven himself in the role, and he has easily carved out a legacy as one of the best and most innovative incarnations of the character. Beyond that, moving on will afford him the opportunity to play an entirely different assortment of roles, such as his upcoming turn as Joe Bang in Logan Lucky, which showcases a far weirder and more jovial side of his acting persona.

On the other hand, many fans of Daniel Craig’s hard-drinking super spy would likely worry about his recent remarks on the Morning Magic radio show, as they feel he deserves to go out on a high note. Although Spectre certainly has its share of fans, the fourth Craig-fronted Bond film has become widely regarded as a weaker entry in the greater Bond canon, and those fans could argue that he needs at least one more solid outing. With talented filmmakers like Blade Runner 2049’s Denis Villeneuve, Hell or High Water’s David Mackenzie and ’71’s Yann Demange all reportedly standing as the frontrunners to helm the next entry in series, it’s entirely possible that Craig could get that high note if he sticks around.

At this point, only time will tell if Daniel Craig will ever don the James Bond tuxedo again for another adventure as everyone’s favorite secret agent. Until then, make sure to catch him as the similarly-initialed Joe Bang in Steven Soderbergh’s Logan Lucky, which opens in theaters this weekend on August 18.

Daniel Craig reportedly signs on for Bond 25

If reports are to be believed, the saga over the next James Bond is at an end, with The Mirror reporting that producer Barbara Broccoli has convinced Daniel Craig to sign on for a fifth outing as 007 in Bond 25.

Craig had originally cast doubt over his future as the super spy when he suggested he’d rather “slash my wrists” than return for another movie, prompting rampant speculation as to who could succeed him in the role. However, his stance subsequently softened, and while it’s been reported on several occasions that he turned down astronomical sums of money to return, it has been said that the star always remained the number one choice of the producers to continue in the role.

The Mirror’s report also goes on to claim that Broccoli is “determined” to have Adele return to record the theme tune for Bond 25, following her Brit, Grammy and Golden Globe award-winning theme for Skyfall.

Daniel Craig on James Bond franchise: ‘I’d miss it terribly’

In the midst of the Spectre press tour, 007 star James Bond said that he would “rather break this glass and slash my wrists” than play superspy James Bond in another movie. Craig has been clarifying those comments and walking back their implications for a year now, and this weekend at the New Yorker Festival, he sounded a little more interested in a return to the series.

“When asked 20 feet from the end of the marathon, ‘Will you do another marathon?’ the answer is simple,” he joked. “It’s like, ‘No, I won’t.’” He went on to note how much he enjoyed working on the series: “There is no other job like it…if I were to stop doing it, I would miss it terribly.” (Craig’s statements were captured on video by Phil Nobile Jr. of Birth.Movies.Death.)

According to Craig, there have been no discussions about a follow-up to Spectre, which earned over $880.7 million at the global box office but was unquestionably a qualitative step down from its predecessor Skyfall. (Counterargument: If you’re a fan of Crazy Bond, Spectre might count as a high point.) “There’s no conversation going on,” said Craig, “Because everybody’s just a bit tired.” Craig is 48 and has done four Bond films; previous Bond Pierce Brosnan was roughly the same age, with the same number of Bond films under his belt, when he was let go from the series. Then again, Brosnan’s films never made the kind of money Craig’s last couple of movies have – so there may be some added incentive to bring Craig back for a final film.

Jamie Bell Discussing James Bond Role With Producers, But Daniel Craig May Not Be Done With 007

Is James Bond role going to go to much younger actors? It seems like that could be the case if things don’t turn out as the producers of the franchise want. There are rumors that Jamie Bell could be given the license to kill, but those generated from the Daily Mail, which can be very hit and miss when it comes to celebrity news. But maybe the paper is onto something. Deadline has confirmed that the 30 year old actor —who appeared as The Thing in last year’s doomed “Fantastic Four”— is in fact talking to the 007 producers.

Evidently rumors that Daniel Craig won’t reprise his role as 007 were premature. While no negotiations for the next Bond film have started, the trade suggests that Craig won’t really engage in talks about Bond until more of the creative elements are in place, such as the director and script.

Meanwhile, Craig is staying busy. He’s recently been attached to the twenty-episode TV series “Purity” with director Todd Field at the helm. This may be a strategy for dealing with the Bond gatekeepers: should he decide to walk, he’ll have options.

And I’d assume Barbara Broccoli, the long-time producer and essentially keeper of the Bond franchise, is doing the same with the talks with Bell, serving as a backup plan. Previously, Craig has said the only reason he returned for “Spectre” was because he convinced “Skyfall” director Sam Mendes to direct. Mendes appears to be permanently out of the franchise, so Craig may need to also approve a new director if it comes to that. Oh, and they’d also have to come up with a script he actually liked. Bell is probably crossing his fingers as we speak.