Excitement is growing about the next 007 film after Rami Malek was named as the villain and Daniel Craig announced that it will be his last outing as the super-spy.
But according to the Daily Mail, the upcoming movie, currently known only as “James Bond 25”, is “yet to have a completed script or title despite the official cast and crew line-up finally being confirmed”.
Only a brief outline of the plot has been revealed, with a source telling the newspaper that “the rest of the script is still being worked over”. The insider also expressed concerns that 51-year-old Craig could quit due to his “old age” if production takes any longer.
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Here is everything we know so far about the 25th installment in the Bond series:
Who is involved?
Despite saying three years ago that he’d rather “slash his wrists” than play the secret agent again, Craig is returning for what he says will be his final portrayal of Bond.
Director Cary Fukunaga (Beasts of No Nation, True Detective) - taking the 007 reins from British filmmaker Danny Boyle - has said that Craig is his “favourite Bond”, and that he wants to “make sure this run of films, which have been fantastic, have a really great next chapter and keep upping the ante”.
US actor Malek has been brought on board as the film’s main antagonist, although his character is still unnamed. During a recent interview on Good Morning America, Malek said: “It’s going to be thrilling, and it’s Daniel’s last film. It’s sad but I’m going to give him a run for his money.”
A number of familiar faces will also return in the upcoming film, including Ralph Fiennes as M, Lea Seydoux as Dr Madeleine Swann, Ben Whishaw as Q, and Rory Kinnear as Bill Tanner.
Also joining the cast are Dali Benssalah, Lashana Lynch, Ana De Armas, David Dencik and Billy Magnussen.
What is it about?
The film’s producer, Barbara Broccoli, has revealed that the movie will begin with 007 on holiday in Jamaica, Wired reports.
“[His] peace is short-lived when his old friend Felix Leiter from the CIA turns up asking for help,” Broccoli said. “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 dangerous new technology.”
Oscar-nominated actress Naomie Harris, starring as Eve Moneypenny, told the YouTube channel of entertainment news site HeyUGuys that “some time will have passed since the preceding entry in the franchise, Spectre”.
“Moneypenny has grown up somewhat... but she still has that soft spot for Bond, though, that’s never gonna go, but she’s an independent woman with her own life,” Harris added.
When is it out?
Harris said that the film is due to be released in April 2020, noting that it “will have been five years - it’s half a decade” since the last installment.
