Acclaimed British screenwriter Steven Knight has finally broken his silence on the highly anticipated new James Bond film, offering a glimpse into the creative process during a recent radio appearance.
The Script Development: "I Absolutely Can't Talk About It"
Steven Knight, the 65-year-old creator of Peaky Blinders, appeared on talkSPORT on Thursday where hosts Jeff Stelling and Gabby Agbonlahor attempted to extract details about the plot and potential casting for the iconic spy role. Knight, who was announced as the writer for the latest 007 installment in August, remained tight-lipped about specifics, stating firmly: "I absolutely can't talk about anything to do with it."
When Stelling joked about the pressure of writing a Bond screenplay, Knight revealed his philosophical approach: "I love it though. I mean, the only way to do the job is to do what you want to do and then if people like it, great. If they don't, they don't, so I try not to second guess what people want and just do what I think would be the best thing."
Production Details and Creative Freedom
The latest Bond film marks a significant transition for the franchise, with Dune director Denis Villeneuve taking the helm and Amazon MGM Studios overseeing the project after longtime producer Barbara Broccoli stepped back from creative control. The production team includes Amy Pascal and David Heyman through Pascal Pictures and Heyday Films respectively, with Tanya Lapointe serving as executive producer.
Knight described the writing process as both "exciting and thrilling," adopting a free-flow approach to his screenplay. "I have no plan of how I'm going to get there," he admitted, though he does maintain broader narrative structure. "I do know this character's going to do this, this, and then they're going to die, or they're going to become king. So that's the plan."
The Bond Legacy and Future Direction
Daniel Craig stepped down from the iconic role after 2021's No Time to Die, having portrayed 007 across five films over fifteen years. The search for his replacement has generated intense speculation, with names including Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Paul Mescal, Theo James, and Taron Egerton circulating as potential successors.
When directly questioned about casting during his radio appearance, Knight humorously deflected, suggesting former footballer and talkSPORT presenter Alan Brazil, 66, as the next Bond. More seriously, he acknowledged the selection process remains tightly under wraps.
Reflecting on his involvement last month, Knight told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast that writing a Bond film had "always been on my bucket list" and described the invitation as "fantastic." He expressed confidence that his long-standing appreciation for the franchise would inform his work: "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."
Knight revealed he discovered the assignment during a meeting with producer Amy Pascal, initially unaware of the discussion's purpose. "Very quickly discovered what it was about and became very, very excited and hopeful," he shared. Following additional meetings and idea discussions, he learned he had secured the prestigious writing role.
Despite acknowledging the "high pressure" nature of the job, Knight maintains his grounded perspective: "You've just got to do what you do, do it as well as you can." The Peaky Blinders creator, whose historical saga House of Guinness launched on Netflix this autumn and whose Peaky Blinders movie is scheduled for 2026, brings considerable pedigree to what remains one of British cinema's most cherished franchises.
