Daniel Craig isn't giving up his James Bond role after playing the character for more than a decade. He is reportedly set to return for the new movie, tentatively entitled “Bond 25,” which will be the 25th offering of the franchise.
Sources said producer Barbara Broccoli "secured" Daniel Craig to reprise the role of James Bond despite the actor previously expressing he's no longer interested. Over a year ago, Daniel Craig told The Guardian he would choose to "slash his wrists" than play Agent 007 again.
The actor first espoused the iconic British agent in the 2006 movie “Casino Royale.” These were followed up with movies like “Quantum of Solace” in 2008, “Skyfall” in 2012 and “Spectre” in 2015.
It was “Skyfall” which earned both the highest box office and critical success.
Bond shortlist, bringing Adele back
Barbara Broccoli has been trying to change the actor’s mind since he said he would like to move on from a role he has done for four times. Rumors about choosing Daniel Craig’s replacement immediately surfaced after the actor expressed his distance.
Among the names supposedly on the shortlist to become the next James Bond include Tom Hiddleston, Tom Hardy, Idris Elba and Aidan Turner. There were also rumors Barbara Broccoli met with Tom Hiddleston and some of the actors for the Bond role last year but no fruitful arrangement came out of it.
But it isn’t just Daniel Craig that Barbara Broccoli wants back in the franchise.
The producer has supposedly also secured Grammy-winning singer Adele for the theme song. Adele sang for "Skyfall" in 2012 and the movie's theme song received both a Grammy and Golden Globes honor.
‘Bond 25’ director job
Meanwhile, director Christopher Nolan revealed he is interested in doing the new James Bond movie. "I’ve spoken to the producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G.
Wilson over the years," he said via Variety. "I deeply love the character, and I’m always excited to see what they do with it."
The previous James Bond films were directed by Sam Mendes. But in 2016, the director announced he will no longer a part of “Bond 25.” In a statement published on Deadline, the director said he feels his journey with the James Bond franchise is done and someone else needs to helm the film.
‘Bond 25’ has a tentative fall 2019 release date from Sony Pictures. If all goes to plan, Daniel Craig and the rest of the cast and crew will begin filming in early 2018.