James Bond director speaks out after casting narrowed down to five Hollywood stars
It's been five years since last James Bond film, No Time To Die, landed in cinemas - and since then, speculation has been rife as to which star is set to fill Daniel Craig's shoes.
For those in need of a reminder, in the final instalment of Craig's five-film run as 007, audiences witnessed the unprecedented moment of seeing the iconic Bond character 'killed off' for the very first time.
In the film's climax, Bond is infected with a lethal nano-bot biological weapon that means he can never again touch his love, Madeleine, or his daughter without killing them. Faced with this reality, he chooses to stay on Safin's island missile silo and is killed in a barrage of incoming missiles.
The rest of the blockbusters that make up Craig's collection are just as impressive, including Casino Royale (2006), Quantum of Solace (2008), Skyfall (2012), Spectre (2015).
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But with his tenure as the much-loved British spy now firmly over, attention has inevitably turned to the question of who will be tasked with stepping into the roll.
And by the sounds of things, the wheels are already in motion.
Dune director Denis Villeneuve has been announced to be taking the helm with Peaky Blinders and House of Guinness creator Steven Knight confirmed as the writer, for the next blockbuster.
Over the course of the last four years, actors such as Idris Elba, a successful DJ and music producer as well as esteemed actor, Jacob Elordi, well known for his roles in Priscilla and Saltburn and Jack O’Connor, who broke through in British teen drama among many others, have all been speculated and debated regarding their ability to take on the tux.
More recently, however, a fresh set of runners have come to the front, with the most recent candidates including Jack Lowden, of Slow Horses fame, Callum Turner, from the Fantastic Beasts series and Josh O’Connor, known for his portrayal of Prince Charles Netflix’s The Crown, however there is still no official announcement on exactly who it will be.
But now the director for the next James Bond film, Denis Villeneuve has had his say.
Over the weekend, the Canadian filmmaker attended a benefit for the Los Angeles County Museum Of Art (LACMA), where Variety asked if he could share any updates on the casting of the next 007.
"I should not comment right now because every word I'm going to say is going to be scrutinised," Villeneuve responded.
He added: "I would just say that I'm having a great time."
Villeneuve said last year: "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."
Denis also added how much he values the series and the responsibility he feels taking on the director role: "I'm a die-hard Bond fan. To me, he's sacred territory. 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."
Denis is obviously a keen Bond lover and while known for his work in the sci-fi genre, having directed the likes of Arrival, Blade Runner 2049 and the Dune films, the third of which is slated for release this year, the Bond series is in good hands.
Other candidates in the debate to take on the role of James Bond include Aaron Taylor Johnson, Robert Pattinson and The Gentlemen’s Theo James.
The odds on the new Bond girl are also now in full swing, too, with Margaret Qualley, Sydney Sweeney and Zendaya leading the way.
Words by Alex Nuttall.
Topics: TV And Film, Entertainment, James Bond
The Tyla Team
