An industry insider has revealed when the next James Bond film could begin shooting with its all-new 007, according to METRO newspaper.
The search for the next Bond has been on since Daniel Craig’s version of the character was killed off in No Time To Die, rather definitively vacating the role.
Since then, the franchise has been acquired by Amazon MGM Studios, who have begun work on the secret agent’s next era.
This has included hiring Dune director Denis Villeneuve to helm the next instalment of the long-running series.
While we know that Villeneuve will direct a script by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight, Amazon has yet to pick its next leading actor – although they have reportedly narrowed their search down to eight names.
Sharing his thoughts on when our new Bond could be revealed, senior Deadline film reporter Justin Kroll has hinted that the announcement everyone’s waiting for may be imminent.
Appearing on the My Mom’s Basement podcast, Kroll shared his prediction for when Villeneuve’s Bond might begin rolling.
“I am predicting summer, if I had to be a betting man,” Kroll said. “Because I think production will likely start [at the] end of this year/top of next.”
He continued: “Obviously, it could be a little sooner, but from everything people have said since I’ve been back, Bond is more likely middle of the year than first quarter.”
If true, this means that Bond fans could finally get some major news any day now.
This comes as producers have reportedly narrowed their search to include some of the hottest names in Hollywood right now.
Dua Lipa’s husband-to-be and Eternity actor Callum Turner is believed to be leading the charge – according to the star himself, if a source for the Daily Mail is to be believed.
Turner is confident that his license to kill is already in the post, with an insider sharing how he’d been ‘blabbing’ the news all over town.
“Callum is the new Bond; it’s been confirmed,” they said. “Everyone in his circle is talking about it. It’s the worst-kept secret going.”
They finished: “Dua is over the moon for Callum. She’s been saying she’d love to record the Bond theme.”
