With Bond 25 finally – finally – about to go into production after a fair amount of behind-the-scenes rejigging, the filmmakers took to the internet for a live-streamed announcement from Ian Fleming’s GoldenEye villa in Jamaica. There’s still no title yet, but producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson and director Cary Fukunaga revealed a slew of new and familiar faces joining Daniel Craig on his next Bond outing.
Most notably, Jeffrey Wright will be returning as US agent Felix Leiter, who starred in Casino Royale and Quantum Of Solace, but hasn’t been featured in the Craig films since. He’s returning alongside the previously-reported Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Rory Kinnear, Léa Seydoux, and Ben Whishaw. As for the new cast members, Captain Marvel’s Lashana Lynch is now on board, as are Billy Magnussen, Ana De Armas, David Dencik, and Dali Benssalah. Rami Malek was also confirmed as the new villain – in a video message sent from New York, the Oscar-winning actor said: “I promise you all, I will be making sure Mr Bond will not have an easy ride of it.”
Shortly after the stream, a synopsis was revealed which confirms that the film begins with Bond living a simple life. “Bond has left active service and is enjoying a tranquil life in Jamaica,” it reads. “His peace is short-lived when his old friend Felix Leiter from the CIA turns up asking for help. The mission to rescue a kidnapped scientist turns out to be far more treacherous than expected, leading Bond onto the trail of a mysterious villain armed with dangerous new technology.”
Also confirmed was the fact that Fleabag and Killing Eve’s Phoebe Waller-Bridge has worked on the script, alongside Scott Z. Burns and regular Bond screenwriters Neal Purvis and Robert Wade. Fukunaga revealed that the film has already shot scenes in Norway, and that following the shoot in Jamaica production will continue in Pinewood Studios, and Matera, Italy. “Daniel is my favourite Bond,” the director said. “I want to continue that. I want to make sure this run of films which have been fantastic have a really great next chapter.”
Bond 25, whatever it ends up being called, will arrive in UK cinemas on 3 April 2020, with a US release penned in for 8 April.
Keep up to date with all the latest movie news, click here to subscribe to Empire on Great Magazines and have the latest issue delivered to your door every month.