What can we learn from the Bond25 announcement?
Yesterday (24th July), EON productions announced, rather out-of-the-blue, that James Bond will return to US cinemas on 8th November 2019 (earlier in the UK and elsewhere).
This news sent Bond fans into a frenzy on social media, but what do we actually know and what can we make an educated guess about from this announcement. Let’s dive in:
What we KNOW:

This was the actual announcement. We know the date Bond25 will be released, Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli will again produce and long-time Bond writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade return to write, presumably trying to recapture the lightning in a bottle that was Casino Royale. The post also says cast, director and distributors will be announced at a later date. But that’s all we know for sure so far.
‘SPECTRElation’
Next announcement?
The announcement says cast, director and distributors will be announced at a later date, which makes me think a director and distributor has been selected and simply an announcement will follow. I imagine this will be the next news we hear. As for the cast… well…
Will Daniel Craig return?
The next announcement could also be the name of the actor to portray 007. The New York Times today (25th July) have said that Daniel Craig will return in the yet untitled 25th film in the series (lets call it Bond25 for now). But the fact the film is not out until late-2019 certainly gives EON time to recast. I expect they know whether Craig will return. I think this announcement has come now because Craig has made his decision. I think he’ll return for a couple of reasons. Firstly, he has one more film left on his contract. Secondly, Purvis and Wade are back to write, with no other writers yet announced. I think if a new actor was coming in, EON would also take the opportunity to mix it up with some new writers. Also, looking at the upcoming projects Craig has currently to his name, both TV and film, none seem to creep into 2019 when the bulk of filming will presumably take place. Also, if Craig stars in Bond 25, he’ll be the longest-serving James Bond actor at 5,139 days (pipping Sir Roger Moore’s 5,118 days in the role by 21 days). If it’s not Craig, then who? Well, I’ll run through the potential candidates in follow-up posts, unless they announce Craig in the meantime.
Who will direct?
Sam Mendes could also return. However I think this is unlikely. Mendes has said he won’t be doing another Bond, although he said this after Skyfall too, and his dance-card is filling up with a couple of high-profile movies including Disney’s live-action remake of Pinocchio which may well clash with a Bond. This author’s preferred choice, Denis Villeneuve, seems to be free with no films scheduled for release after 2017's Blade Runner 2049. Villeneuve is slated to direct the Dune movie which could potentially clash but no release date has been confirmed yet. So, what about the big man himself, Christopher Nolan? Nolan has nothing confirmed for his next project post-Dunkirk. The 2019 release date could be telling as Nolan could take a nice break after making and promoting Dunkirk before returning to work on Bond, however, while I think a Nolan Bond will happen, I think EON will save him to launch the next actor as 007. So, if Daniel Craig does hang up his tuxedo and doesn’t return for Bond25, Nolan may be the man to helm the film, which would be incredible! It’ll be like if Spielberg had been able to direct a Bond as he had wanted to during the late 80s/ early-90s! Other potential directors could include Matthew Vaughan (Kingsmann, X-Men First Class), Gareth Edwards (Rogue One) or maybe even Danny Boyle (Trainspotting 2, Sunshine).
There’s plenty more to talk about, such as will Christoph Walz (Blofeld), Lea Seydoux (Madeline) and Dave Bautista (Mr Hinx) return?
It’s an exciting time for Bond fans as rumours, announcements and ‘dream-casting’ begins. I’ll probably do a post about what I’d like to see. You’ll have to stay tuned to find out.
Much like Bond, JimE will return.

