As fans wait to see who’ll control theJames Bond franchisenext, with a bidding war recently starting between five different studios, Eon Productions is trying to lock down their next director, as they also wait for Daniel Craig to commit to the movie as well. WithSkyfallandSpectredirector Sam Mendes long since bowing out, the producers are meeting with filmmakers, including Irish director Paul McGuigan, who is considered to be a top candidate for the job. Nothing is set in stone at this point, but writers Neil Purvis and Robert Wade are currently working on the script.
IndieWirebroke the news of Paul McGuigan being in contention for the directorial gig, but it isn’t known at this time what other contenders are also being considered. Eon Productions was reportedly so impressed with his work in the upcomingFilm Stars Don’t Die in Liverpoolwith Annette Bening and Jamie Bell, that he became a contender for this Bond movie. Last month, we reported that Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, longtimeBond writerswho have writtenSpectre,Skyfall,Quantum of Solace,Casino Royale,Die Another DayandThe World Is Not Enough, are returning to crack the story for this project, but no story details have been given. During a recent interview, Robert Wade said thatSpectrewas so closed off that the next movie will be very different. Here’s whatNeal Purvishad to say about how the Bond movies serve as a reflection of British society.
“Each time you’ve got to say something about Bond’s place in the world, which is Britain’s place in the world. But things are moving so quickly now, that becomes tricky. With people like Trump, theBond villainhas become a reality.”
As of now, no cast members have been confirmed, as fans and producers alike wait to hear what Daniel Craig will decide about whether or not he’ll play 007 in this next Bond movie, but there have been a number of actors throwing their hat in the ring for this movie.Jeffrey Wrightteased on social media that he wants to return as hisCasino Royalecharacter Felix Leiter inBond 25, while Dave Bautista has even hinted at returning as Hinx fromSpectre. Rainn Wilson has also mentioned that he would like to play a Bond villain, but as of now, nothing is confirmed as the cast goes.
As for Daniel Craig, we reported in September that he was offered an astronomical $150 million to return asJames Bondfor two more movies, and while there has been talk that the actor has been leaning towards a return, nothing has been made official yet. There has also been talk that Eon Productions wants to start filmingJames Bond 25in Croatia by the end of this year, but that naturally will depend on how long it will take Daniel Craig to decide on his 007 return, and how long it takes the production company to decide on a director. Paul McGuigan most recently directedVictor Frankensteinon the big screen, along with episodes ofLuke Cage,Designated SurvivorandThe Family. He is perhaps best known for directing episodes ofSherlockalong with the moviesLucky Number Slevin,Gangster No. 1andPush.
