007 is almost here: Amazon MGM Studios confirm “the search for the next James Bond is underway”
After years of waiting, Amazon MGM Studios have finally confirmed that “the search for the next James Bond is underway”.
The studio revealed the news in a social media post on May 14th, as the first official move they have made since taking over ownership of the iconic spy franchise from the Broccoli family last year.
Subsequently, they have now shared their first concrete update in a statement that said: “The search for the next James Bond is underway.”
The studio added: “While we don’t plan to comment on specific details during the casting process, we’re excited to share more news with 007 fans when the time is right.”
The official confirmation comes only a month after the team behind James Bond previously shared a fairly lacklustre casting update, as Amazon MGM’s head of film, Courtenay Valenti, told audiences at Cinema Con in April: “I know you’re all wondering when we’re going to announce who’s playing James Bond.”
However, she then warned: “Don’t get too excited. Please know that we’re taking the time to do this with care and deep respect.”
Valenti then said at the time that the chance to create a new chapter of the iconic franchise, based on the original novels by Ian Fleming, was the “dream of a lifetime”.
The possibilities for the future of James Bond have been under intense speculation since Daniel Craig gave his last turn as the character in 2021’s No Time to Die. However, in an unprecedented move, the world-famous spy seemingly dies at the end of that movie, hence leaving the basis for the next film impossible to predict.
So far, very little is known about Amazon’s plans for furthering the franchise and who will play the titular role, but actors such as Callum Turner, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jacob Elordi, and Idris Elba are all repeatedly considered as frontrunners for the part.
Aside from the million-dollar question about casting, however, it has been previously announced that Denis Villeneuve will direct the next film, as well as Amy Pascal and David Heyman serving as producers, and Peaky Blinders’ Stephen Knight writing the script.
It seems that the release of the new James Bond could still be some way off, though, given that Villeneuve has to get the epic final instalment of the Dune series over the line, when Part Three hits cinemas this December.
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