James Bond creators Amazon MGM Studios have finally shared an update on the new 007, posting a statement on Instagram on Thursday. Last year, the Broccoli family handed over creative control to Amazon MGM Studios—formed when Amazon bought Bond's parent studio in 2022—after 30 years. However, the leading actor to replace Daniel Craig following his exit after 2021's No Time To Die is still yet to be cast.
The creators revealed they are still in 'the casting process' and the search for the leading role is currently 'underway'. The statement also teased that 'exciting 007 news' will be announced in the coming months. The statement from Amazon MGM Studios read: 'The search for the next James Bond is underway. While we don't plan to comment on specific details during the casting process, we're excited to share more news with 007 fans as soon as the time is right.'
It comes as it was reported that James Bond fans will have to wait another two years before 007 is back on the big screen, marking the longest gap between movies in the franchise's 64-year history. The super spy is no stranger to a lengthy hiatus—with a six-year gap between 1989's Licence to Kill, the final Timothy Dalton film, and 1995's GoldenEye, the first to star Pierce Brosnan. But with the leading actor still to be recast, a rumoured 2028 spring release means audiences will have waited a whopping seven years.
Dune's director Denis Villeneuve has signed on to helm the new project, with Peaky Blinders' Steven Knight penning the script. A source said: 'Bond won’t be back until 2028. The production mindset’s gone from "Let’s hurry this through" to "Make sure we get this right". Denis wanted a long break after Dune 3 and has some broad ideas on the script. Steven will get on with drafts, before they map out the final version. That’ll take at least the whole summer.' They told The Sun: 'Realistically, if they can make January 2027 work for pre-production then that will be a success. The principal photography will run until the summer and the film always takes around nine months to a year to edit.' Daily Mail have contacted Amazon MGM for comment.
Harris Dickinson is now one of bookies' favourites to become the new Bond. The actor, 28, who will play John Lennon in The Beatles: A Four-Film Cinematic Event in 2028, has been named as one of the frontrunners alongside Callum Turner. Harris is now second favourite for the role, and if the money continues to pile in, he could dislodge Callum Turner at the top of the betting. Bookies' predictions on who will play Bond are changing by the day, with Jacob Elordi one of the most recent favourites due to his smouldering role in the romance Wuthering Heights. He is at 5/1 while Aaron Taylor-Johnson is 6/1. Other names have included Idris Elba, Theo James, Jonathan Bailey, James Norton, Jack Lowden and Henry Cavill.
