James Bond movie producer Barbara Broccoli has admitted she hopes Daniel Craig will return for more 007 movies. Daniel has previously claimed that Bond 25, his fifth outing as James Bond, will be his last but Barbara has revealed she hopes he changes his mind.
‘He’s saying it’s his last film, but I hope it’s not, we’ll have to wait and see,’ she said. Her comments come following a live announcement attended by the film’s new and returning cast members, as well as the producers, in Jamaica – a nod to the location used in the very first Bond film in 1962, Dr No. New additions include Oscar winner Rami Malek, Captain Marvel star Lashana Lynch and Game Night actor Billy Magnussen. Malek spoke via a video message and hinted he may be playing a villain in the film: ‘I’m very much looking forward to joining the whole cast and crew. I will be making sure Mr Bond does not have an easy ride in this, his 25th outing. See you all soon.’
‘I’ve been a big fan of his for many years, starting with Mr Robot, but obviously with Bohemian Rhapsody and winning the Oscar and everything, everyone is certainly celebrating him now as a great actor,’ said Barbara of Rami. ‘He’s extraordinary. And I think the character we’ve created, he’s the perfect fit.’ The film mogul would not confirm Malek’s villain status but said: ‘He is going to be challenging Bond, let’s put it that way.’
Helming the film is director Cary Fukunaga who is best known for writing, directing and co-producing 2015 film Beasts Of No Nation. He also directed the first series of True Detective, which starred Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson. He is the first American director to helm an official Bond film, and he replaced Danny Boyle, who stepped away from the project last year following ‘creative differences’.
Returning cast members include Ralph Fiennes, Ben Whishaw, Rory Kinnear, Naomie Harris and Jeffrey Wright. The plot will introduce a Bond ‘who has left active service and is enjoying a tranquil life in Jamaica’, an official synopsis said. The production will be based in the UK’s Pinewood Studios, with additional filming locations in London, as well as Italy, Jamaica and Norway, an official release said. Fleabag writer and creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge is also set to bring some of her distinctive humour to the script, after being specifically requested by Daniel to polish the script.
