Moviefone Editorial

Tag: bond-25

  • Bond 25 Officially Reveals Cast, But Still No Title

    Bond 25 Officially Reveals Cast, But Still No Title

    Columbia Pictures

    Bond 25 made a big announcement Thursday from Jamaica, the iconic location for previous 007 films “Dr No” and “Live and Let Die,” and the home to Ian Fleming’s GoldenEye estate, where he wrote all the novels (and which inspired the name for Pierce Brosnan‘s inaugural Bond outing, 1995’s “GoldenEye“).

    But that announcement did not include the upcoming movie’s title. Instead, producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson together with director Cary Joji Fukanaga unveiled the official cast lineup and teased the plot.

    Joining Daniel Craig in his fifth and final outing as James Bond is Oscar winner Rami Malek, who will play the main villain. Malek made a short, weird video about joining the venerable franchise.

    Ben Whishaw is back as Q, as is Naomie Harris as Miss Moneypenny and Ralph Fiennes as M.

    Léa Seydoux is also on board to reprise her role as Dr. Madelaine Swann from “Spectre.” Also returning from that movie is Rory Kinnear as MI6 chief of staff Bill Tanner.

    Jeffrey Wright returns from “Casino Royale” and “Quantum Solace” as CIA agent Felix Leiter.

    Newcomers include Ana de Armas (“Blade Runner 2049”), Billy Magnussen (“Into the Woods”), Dali Benssalah, Lashana Lynch (“Captain Marvel”) and David Dencik (“The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo”).

    The producers also confirmed that Phoebe Waller-Bridge, the creator of “Killing Eve” and “Fleabag,” has joined as a writer. She joins series mainstays Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, as well as Scott Z. Burns. (This also marks confirmation that the production is not using the script devised by Danny Boyle and John Hodge.)

    Broccoli said the film starts in Jamaica, where “Bond is not on active service, he is enjoying himself. We’ve got quite a ride in store for him.”

    His peaceful retirement is interrupted when Felix Leiter shows up asking for help. But the mission, to rescue a kidnapped scientist, turns out to be far more treacherous than expected, leading Bond onto the trail of a mysterious villain armed with a dangerous new technology.

    Bond 25 is slated for release April 8, 2020.

  • Phoebe Waller-Bridge to Polish ‘Bond 25’ Script Per Daniel Craig’s Request: Report

    Phoebe Waller-Bridge to Polish ‘Bond 25’ Script Per Daniel Craig’s Request: Report

    Amazon

    James Bond has never been considered the funniest guy around, but that may change in “Bond 25.”

    Star Daniel Craig has reportedly requested that Phoebe Waller-Bridge, the creator of “Fleabag” and “Killing Eve,” be brought in to “liven up” the script, according to The Observer.

    Craig wants some of the offbeat wit and style that Waller-Bridge has become known for. The actor’s wife, Rachel Weisz, is reportedly a big fan of both shows.

    “Bond 25,” which is still untitled, has experienced a rough journey in development. Original director Danny Boyle left the project with just weeks to go before shooting, and he was eventually replaced by Cary Fukunaga.

    In February, “The Bourne Ultimatum” writer Scott Z. Burns was hired to rewrite the screenplay by Neal Purvis and Robert Wade (who had already reworked “Trainspotting” writer John Hodge’s screenplay).

    With all the changes and reworking, “Bond 25” is now scheduled to open in April 2020.

  • Ex ‘Bond 25’ Director Danny Boyle Laments His Departure

    Ex ‘Bond 25’ Director Danny Boyle Laments His Departure

    Columbia Pictures

    Director Danny Boyle may have decided to exit “Bond 25,” but that doesn’t mean he was happy about it. Reflecting on the situation in a recent Empire interview, he called it “a great shame.”

    Boyle wasn’t with the Bond series very long. “Bond 25” was to be his first film in the franchise, and he was confirmed to have signed on in May. However, as Deadline reported at the time, he wanted to direct only if Universal Pictures went with his concept. He and his writing partner John Hodge did work on the script, but creative differences arose between them and producers, and in August, Boyle left the project.

    Post-departure, Boyle told Empire that his Bond film would have been “really good,” but since producers weren’t on board, they parted ways. He added that “it is just a great shame.” In spite of how it played out, Boyle says he gave new “Bond 25” director Cary Joji Fukunaga his best wishes.

    Fukunaga has been hard at work now that he has taken the job. The film has been filling out its cast, and so far, the likes of Oscar winners Lupita Nyong’o and Rami Malek are said to be front-runners to join Daniel Craig in the film.

    “Bond 25” is schedule to hit theaters April 8, 2020, while Danny Boyle’s next film, “Yesterday,” will premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in May.

    [via: Empire]

  • ‘Bond 25’: Lupita Nyong’o Is Reportedly Being Courted for Role

    ‘Bond 25’: Lupita Nyong’o Is Reportedly Being Courted for Role

    Lupita Nyong'o in Black Panther
    Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

    Just a day after reports that Rami Malek is nearing a “Bond 25” deal, another Academy Award-winning actor is rumored to be a front-runner for a role.

    Producers are trying to get Lupita Nyong’o on board, sources tell Deadline. There are two female roles that still needed to be cast, according to a recent Variety report, so it seems likely Nyong’o is in contention for one of them. The parts are said to be an MI6 agent and an accomplice; however, MGM has not been commenting on “Bond 25” casting.

    Nyong’o has had critical and commercial success in her career. She won her Academy Award for her role in 2013’s “12 Years a Slave” and has gone on to star in the likes of “Black Panther,” “The Jungle Book,” and the most recent Star Wars trilogy. Her latest film, “Little Monsters,” premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on Jan. 27.

    If Nyong’o does join “Bond 25,” she’ll star opposite Daniel Craig, who is again reprising his role as James Bond, in spite of once passionately indicating he wouldn’t. The cast also includes Léa Seydoux, Ralph Fiennes, and Naomie Harris. Cary Joji Fukunaga is directing, and production is expected to begin this spring.

    The release date for “Bond 25” was recently moved from Feb. 14 to April 8, 2020.

    [via: Deadline]

  • ‘Bond 25’ Casting: Rami Malek Reportedly in Talks to Play Villain

    ‘Bond 25’ Casting: Rami Malek Reportedly in Talks to Play Villain

    Rami Malek in Mr. Robot
    USA Network

    Although we know Daniel Craig is returning as 007 in the next James Bond film, “Bond 25,” there are still a number of casting decisions to be made. New reports indicate that casting is heating up and the film’s villain may have been found.

    Rami Malek is reportedly poised to join the film. Sources tell Collider that the actor is in final talks to play the villain. Producers have been trying to nab Malek for months, according to Variety. He has garned a lot of acclaim in recent years, including an Oscar win for 2018’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” and a 2016 Emmy win for “Mr. Robot.”

    With Malek still starring in “Mr. Robot,” scheduling was reportedly an issue. Collider’s source said that his team had to negotiate to make “Bond 25” work with his shooting schedule. The show’s fourth and final season is slated to premiere later this year.

    Billy Magnussen is another actor who may soon be joining the project. Magnussen previously worked with “Bond 25” director Cary Joji Fukunaga on the Netflix series “Maniac.” He’d play a CIA operative, per Variety, but so far, it’s not clear if he has received an offer.

    Meanwhile, there are two female roles that still need to be cast: an MI6 agent and an accomplice. So far, there are no reported front-runners. The producers are still planning to bring actresses to read with Craig, Variety reports.

    MGM has not commented on the latest casting news. Production is reportedly on track to start this spring, so we expect deals to be announced in the coming months. The new cast members will join Craig, Léa Seydoux, Ralph Fiennes, and Naomie Harris in the film.

    The release date for “Bond 25” was recently pushed back, from Feb. 14 to April 8, 2020.

    [via: Collider; Variety]

  • Bond 25 Release Date Bumped Back 2 Months

    Bond 25 Release Date Bumped Back 2 Months

    Spectre
    MGM

    You’ll have to wait a little longer for the next Bond film. The 25th film in the franchise has just been bumped back from a February 14, 2020 release to April 8, 2020.

    There go all your Bond-themed Valentine’s Day plans for next year.

    The delay might be due to the shuffling of directors: Cary Fukunaga (“Beasts of No Nation,” “True Detective”) stepped in to replace Danny Boyle in September.

    Daniel Craig will return as 007 in the film, as will Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Ben Whishaw and Léa Seydoux.

    The last few Bond films had had a November U.S. release, so a February date was a bit of a head-scratcher.

    [Via Deadline]

  • Lea Seydoux Will Return for Bond 25

    Lea Seydoux Will Return for Bond 25

    MGM

    One of the hallmarks of the James Bond franchise is that he has a different leading lady each movie out. But rules were meant to be broken, and The Daily Mail confirms that French actress Lea Seydoux will return for the still-untitled 25th 007 outing. Seydoux played Dr. Madeline Swann in 2015’s “Spectre,” and will be back for the new film, which is scheduled to start shooting in spring 2019.

    Bond 25 director Cary Joji Fukunaga confirmed the casting to the Daily Mail, saying, “Lea will be returning.” Apparently Bond himself Daniel Craig wanted her back, and Fukunaga agreed. The director added: “You have some of the best actors in the world here. Why wouldn’t I have the best coming back?!” Amongst the actors also expected to return are Ralph Fiennes, Ben Whishaw and Naomie Harris.

    It’s been a bumpy ride for this Bond outing. After Sam Mendes, who helmed the billion-dollar grossing “Skyfall” and the much more disappointing (both critically and commercially) “Spectre,” stepped away from the franchise, Eon hired visionary filmmaker Danny Boyle, who was said to have had an incredibly fresh take, complemented by an outside-the-box screenplay by frequent collaborator John Hodge. Filming was expected to begin this fall for a Christmas 2019 release date. But apparently Boyle clashed with the series overlords over the direction of the film’s villain and Hodge’s screenplay, and in August it was announced that he had left over “creative differences.” This sent the movie (and the franchise at large) into “chaos,” as they scrambled to get the movie back on track.

    Now, with Cary Joji Fukunaga in place and a readjusted release date of February 2020, all seems right in the James Bond world. For now, at least. If anybody knows that danger can strike at any moment, it’s James Bond.

  • Bond Movie Producer Rules Out a Female 007: ‘Bond Is Male’

    Bond Movie Producer Rules Out a Female 007: ‘Bond Is Male’

    Daniel Craig as James Bond
    MGM

    He’s Bond. James Bond. And he’ll stay that way.

    Bond movie executive producer Barbara Broccoli told The Guardian that 007 is likely to stay male, echoing the same argument recently used by the current 007’s wife:

    “Bond is male,” Broccoli told The Guardian. “He’s a male character. He was written as a male and I think he’ll probably stay as a male. And that’s fine. We don’t have to turn male characters into women. Let’s just create more female characters and make the story fit those female characters.”

    That’s almost exactly what actress Rachel Weisz — who is married to current Bond actor Daniel Craig — told The Telegraph earlier this year:

    “[Author Ian Fleming] devoted an awful lot of time to writing this particular character, who is particularly male and relates in a particular way to women. Why not create your own story rather than jumping on to the shoulders and being compared to all those other male predecessors? Women are really fascinating and interesting and should get their own stories.”

    Yes. It’s not quite the same as “Doctor Who” casting a woman, since the Doctor is a regenerating Time Lord. Time Lords are extraterrestrial species. James Bond is a human dude. Casting a woman as a version of James Bond (or Jason Bourne, or John Wick, etc.) would just set up that actress for the usual attacks. Creating new potentially iconic roles for women would be preferred all around.

    Broccoli did tell The Guardian that, while Bond is still Bond, the films have evolved a bit when it comes to portraying women:

    “But look at the way the world has changed. And I think Bond has come through and transformed with the times. I’ve tried to do my part, and I think particularly with the Daniel [Craig] films, they’ve become much more current in terms of the way women are viewed.”

    Casino Royale gif
    Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer,

    “Bond 25,” said to be Daniel Craig’s final Bond movie, is being directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga. But Broccoli’s last three projects were all directed by women — including the new film “Nancy” — and she told The Guardian she’d “absolutely” be open to a woman directing a future Bond movie.

    “Bond 25” has yet to start filming, or reveal it’s full title, but it’s scheduled to open February 14, 2020.

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  • Chris Evans Joins Daniel Craig for Rian Johnson Murder Mystery ‘Knives Out’

    Chris Evans Joins Daniel Craig for Rian Johnson Murder Mystery ‘Knives Out’

    Avengers: Infinity War
    Marvel Studios

    Cap, meet 007.

    Chris Evans just made headlines with his poignant goodbye post after finishing “Avengers 4” reshoots. He’s made it clear he’s out as Steve Rogers/Captain America. Meanwhile, Daniel Craig has also made it clear he’s done as James Bond after “Bond 25.”

    Now — both with one foot out of their most famous roles — Evans and Craig are teaming up for “Knives Out.” The murder mystery movie is being written and directed by “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” director Rian Johnson.

    According to Deadline, Johnson is going to make this movie before directing a new “Star Wars” trilogy.

    “Knives Out” plot details are still unknown at this point, but Deadline said it’s understood to be a modern day “whodunit” murder mystery.

    Bond GIF
    Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer,

    They added that “Knives Out” will likely film this year — in what’s left of it. If that happens, Daniel Craig will actually film this before “Bond 25,” which is now being directed by Cary Fukunaga for a Valentine’s Day 2020 release date.

    Chris Evans only just finished filming “Avengers 4” — he’ll still be back for the press tour next year — but he has grown no moss on the work front. It was recently announced that he’ll star in and produce the upcoming Apple series “Defending Jacob.”

    Evans also filmed “The Red Sea Diving Resort,” which is expected to release at some point later this year. Plus, there’s the disaster thriller “Greenland.”

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  • Now There’s a Rumor Bond Producers Want Henry Cavill as Next 007

    Now There’s a Rumor Bond Producers Want Henry Cavill as Next 007

    Mission: Impossible - Fallout, Henry Cavill
    Paramount Pictures

    The name’s Kent, Clark Ke — er, Bond, James Bond.

    If Henry Cavill is done as Superman, maybe he can start as 007? Or not. You can’t trust a single rumor about the James Bond world. It’s a sea of speculation and then you turn around and Cary Fukunaga is suddenly director.

    But if “Bond 25” can still attract top name talent like Fukunaga, there’s clearly still life in that shaken martini.

    So now we return to the other rumors — who might replace Daniel Craig after “Bond 25.” Everyone under the sun has been mentioned at one time or another, including Henry Cavill.

    Now gossip site Crazy Days and Nights has revived the Cavill rumor with a revealed Blind Item:

    Blind Items Revealed #5
    The producers of this long running franchise don’t care at all about the cloud swirling around the head of this foreign born former superhero. They want to cast him as their next replacement.

    Henry Cavill/James Bond

    Do they? Maybe. But don’t take it from this rumor any more than you’d take the Idris Elba rumors that Idris Elba keeps trying to shoot down.

    It’s clear the producers are busy with the current movie, which just moved its release date to accommodate the new director. We can go back to serious speculation when “Bond 25” is finished; by then, the producers may even have an official announcement on the new person.

    They may want to surprise us, like they did with Danny Boyle and then Cary Fukunaga. Or we could indeed get Henry Cavill, or one of the other million names recycled over the past few years. No matter who is picked as the new James Bond, there will be complaints. There were complaints about Daniel Craig, too. (Remember the blond Bond dismay?)

    “Bond 25” now has a release date of February 14, 2020. Yes, Valentine’s Day. If Henry Cavill takes the producers to the premiere as his date, then maybe we’ll start to believe this rumor.

    [Via: ComicBook]

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