After weeks of everything being up in the air, it looks like the next James Bond film is out of limbo. Bond 25, likely Daniel Craig’s final 007 outing, was left in a tight spot when director Danny Boyle left the project due to creative differences, delaying the start of production. But everything’s back on track with a new statement confirming the next filmmaker to take the helm of Britain’s most famous spy series: Cary Joji Fukunaga.
The director, whose Netflix limited series Maniac, starring Emma Stone and Jonah Hill, hits the streaming service tomorrow, is best known as the director of True Detective Season 1, and Netflix film Beasts Of No Nation. Of course, the latter starred Idris Elba in the lead role – a fact sure to spark up rumours once more that the actor could eventually end up as Bond.
Notably, Fukunaga wasn’t on the supposed director shortlist that surfaced in the wake of Boyle’s departure, which included the likes of Bart Layton, SJ Clarkson and Yann Demange. With Boyle’s version of the film set to work from a script by his long-time collaborator John Hodge, it emerged last week that regular Bond writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade had re-joined the project to write a new version of the screenplay now that Boyle is off the project. The pair have written every Bond film since The World Is Not Enough, including high points like Casino Royale and Skyfall, and wobblier entries like Die Another Day and Quantum Of Solace.
With Fukunaga locked in to direct, the film has a confirmed release date of 14 February 2020 – eschewing typical blockbuster season, and coming just a few months after its original November 2019 date. In a statement, producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli said: “We are delighted to be working with Cary. His versatility and innovation make him an excellent choice for our next James Bond adventure.”
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