It turns out that even though we still don’t know who’s getting the rights to theJames Bondmovies, who will direct the next one, or even ifDaniel Craigwill return to star, there’s just no stopping 007. The franchise’s official Twitter account just tweeted out the following:
That’s not too surprising since everything would need to click into place very quickly if they wanted to make a 2018 release date, and the Bond movies have been quite comfortable in their November slots for the past (you have to go back to 1997’sTomorrow Never Diesfor an entry that wasn’t released in the U.S. in November), but it is surprising that EON, the company that owns the rights to Bond, feels comfortable enough to make that announcement despite lacking major pieces to make and distribute a movie.
However, the fact that they feel confident enough to announce that they’ll have a newBondmovie in theaters by November 2019 signals that they must be fairly close to lining up the three major pieces they’ll need—a distributor (studios are still fighting for the rights), a director (some names have been rumored, but nothing official), and a star (it’s possible Craig could come back, but again, nothing has been confirmed). The only thing they have for sure is that longtimeBondscreenwritersNeal PurvisandRobert Wadeare set to write the screenplay.
Personally, I wouldn’t be surprised if they bring in a new Bond. Craig seems fairly tired of playing the role (he’ll also be 51 whenBond 25comes out), the cinematic landscape is changing, and we’ll have hit a four-year gap betweenBondmovies. The last four-year gap was betweenQuantum of SolaceandSkyfall, but that was because MGM was in a financial meltdown. The four-year gap before that was betweenDie Another Day, the lastPierce BrosnanBondmovie, andCasino Royale, the first CraigBondmovie.
Do you think Craig will return? Who would you like to see take over the role if he doesn’t? Who do you think should direct? Sound off in the comments section.
