Steven Knight says writing ‘James Bond’ movie “has always been on my bucket list”
Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight has spoken for the first time since he was confirmed as the writer of the new James Bond movie.
On July 31st, Amazon MGM Studios shared a press release revealing that the Birmingham native would handle screenwriter duties for the forthcoming project directed by Dune’s Denis Villeneuve. The untitled project will be produced by Hollywood veterans Amy Pascal and David Heyman.
Now, Knight has broken his silence on the news of his involvement. In a new interview with BBC 5 Live, the writer joyously said: “It has always been on my bucket list and it’s fantastic to be invited to do it – I can’t wait to get started.”
He continued: “I’m hoping that, being a Bond fan for so many years, it will be imbued into me and I will be able to produce something that’s the same but different, and better, stronger and bolder.”
With a writer, director and producers all signed up for the movie, the last major question mark that remains to linger regards the actor who will be filling Daniel Craig’s shoes as 007. However, Knight doesn’t have the answers, at least not publicly.
The Peaky Blinders creator shared: “That is a very, very good question, and one I can’t give you the answer to.”
Earlier this week, Taron Egerton played down speculating him to 007, stating, “I think I wouldn’t be good at it, and I think there’s so many cool, younger actors who would be great for it. I think it would be wasted on me, probably.” Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Callum Turner, and Henry Cavill are other names that are frontrunners among bookmakers.
Currently, Villeneuve is tied up filming Dune: Messiah, which suggests the next Bond movie is unlikely to enter production for some time.
Upon being announced as director, he said, “Some of my earliest movie-going memories are connected to 007. I grew up watching James Bond films with my father, ever since Dr. No with Sean Connery. I’m a die-hard Bond fan. To me, he’s sacred territory.”
Villeneuve continued: “I intend to honour the tradition and open the path for many new missions to come. This is a massive responsibility, but also, incredibly exciting for me and a huge honour.”
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