The Essential Guide to Bond 25
By David Pegram
James Bond Will Return…
…in Bond 25.
The next James Bond film has not been officially announced, but this does not mean that the wheels are not churning and moving in that direction. Bond 25 is most definitely in the works. Here is our guide on who’s who and what’s what.
Bond 25 Production Team
Production Company
EON Productions, headed by Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson, is on board, of course. Some rumors have suggested that EON has already been scouting locations in Croatia. Reports in The Mirror suggest a 2019 targeted release.
Distributor
Five studios are currently competing for the rights to distribute Bond 25:
- Sony
- 20th Century Fox
- Warner Bros.
- Universal
- Annapurna
The studio has not yet been selected. Sony’s rights deal with EON ran out after Spectre, but they are back in the running. There is no time table for the selection.
Related Story: Five Studios Wrestling Over James Bond
Director
No director has been named. Sam Mendes has already announced that will not return to direct Bond 25, leaving the door wide open for the next James Bond director. Christopher Nolan’s name has come up often, and even he has hinted at the idea of directing a Bond film, but there is still no indication that he will direct the next one. For a short time, Nolan’s production company Syncopy, was attached to Bond 25.
Variety is also reporting that EON may have set its sights on Yann Demange to direct.
Related Story: Plenty of Candidates to Fill Sam Mendes's Shoes
Theme Song and Composer
With Sam Mendes leaving the franchise, this likely means that Thomas Newman will, as well. Like Mendes, some directors have one or two composers with whom they like to collaborate. Christopher Nolan works with Hans Zimmer, for instance.
The singer of the theme song has not been announced, though “rumor has it” that Adele is being wooed back for a second time.
Related Story: Who's Primed and Ready for a Bond Theme?
Bond 25 Cast
Daniel Craig
On August 15th, Daniel Craig announced that he would be returning as James Bond. With a 2019 release date, this would give him a 13-year run as Bond, the longest in the franchise’s history.
Related Story: Colbert Gets the Scoop: Daniel Craig Is Back as James Bond
Christoph Waltz
Waltz is on record as saying he would like to return as Blofeld, for maybe two more films, but that that return is conditional on Craig’s return as Bond.
Ray Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Ben Whishaw, Rory Kinnear
There is no word on the status of the MI6 cast. Ralph Fiennes signed for three films, but he has stated that he is unsure of a potential third film. Meanwhile, in discussing Daniel Craig’s future as Bond, Naomie let slip that the “rest of the cast” wanted him back, suggesting that they all would be returning.
Dave Bautista
Bautista has stated this he would like to return but the return would be conditional on Craig’s return.
Related Story: Dave Bautista Back for More Bond?
Jeffrey Wright
Is Felix Feiter returning? Who knows. But Wright has tweeted about his “brother” James Bond, teasing many fans about a possible return. Again, no official word has come from EON.
Bond 25 Storyline
Early reports stated that the writing team of Neal Purvis and Robert Wade would be returning to write another Bond film. However, more recent reports are suggesting that John Logan is on board to write the screenplay. Perhaps all three are working on the script; they shared writing credits on both Skyfall and Spectre.
There is no shortage of discussion on where the Bond franchise goes after Spectre. But Craig’s return could signal a return for Waltz as Blofeld and a continuation of the story arc that actually began with Casino Royale.
Rumors are running rampant that EON is seeking to create a “Bond Universe” similar to Marvel Comics. This would mean that other characters, possibly Eve Moneypenny and Felix Leiter, could have their own films. Dynamite Comics have already looked into such storylines.
Related Story: A James Bond Universe
Eye on Bond will keep fans updated as developments happen on Bond 25.