Bond 25 has been hit by several setbacks since production started, with injuries, crew reshuffles and even explosions marring work on the film.
Now the yet-to-be-named 25th installment of the James Bond franchise is said to have been dealt with another blow, as Grace Jones has reportedly quit her role.
Grace, 71, was believed to be making a cameo in the upcoming film, 34 years after starring alongside Roger Moore in A View To A Kill, but is said to have pulled out in a dispute over her camera time.
She’s gone: The yet-to-be-named 25th installment of the James Bond franchise is said to have been dealt with another blow, as Grace Jones has reportedly quit her role
A source told The Sun: ‘Bosses were really excited about landing her. Of course, she comes with a reputation, so they organised premium accommodation and rolled out the red carpet on set to make her feel welcome.
‘But it turns out Grace was expecting to play a bigger role in the movie and took her brief cameo as a slight.
‘She was out of there quicker than it takes to rustle up a martini.’
MailOnline has contacted Grace’s representatives and a Bond 25 spokesperson for comment.
Cameo: Grace, 71, was believed to be making a cameo in the upcoming film, 34 years after starring alongside Roger Moore in A View To A Kill
What’s going on? One fan suggested the film was cursed due to its relentless string of setbacks
Rumours that Grace would be returning to the Bond franchise began circulating in May, with a source telling The Mail On Sunday: ‘Word is that Grace is coming in to film a scene with Daniel Craig.
‘There is a lot of excitement as it is a tip of the hat to past Bonds and Roger Moore’s era. Fans will have to wait until next year to know if it makes the cut.’
In her 1985 adventure with 007, Jones played an assassin called May Day who went on to betray the villainous Max Zorin after being bedded by Bond.
How? Another fan claimed her involvement in the film couldn’t be possible because she had already featured in Bond classic A View to a Kill, during which her character was killed off
Back to service: The latest film in the franchise sees Bond living a tranquil live in Jamaica after leaving active service before Felix turns up asking for help in a mission (pictured in Skyfall)
The latest film in the franchise sees Bond living a tranquil live in Jamaica after leaving active service before Felix turns up asking for help in a mission to rescue a kidnapped scientist.
Daniel underwent an operation as a result of tweaking his ankle ligaments after falling during filming for a high-octane scene in Jamaica back in May.
The surgery was followed by two weeks of rehabilitation, causing delays to the production schedule.
The official Twitter account for Bond 25 released a statement concerning his injuries at the time, writing: ‘Daniel Craig will be undergoing minor ankle surgery resulting from an injury sustained during filming in Jamaica.
‘Production will continue whilst Craig is rehabilitating for two weeks post-surgery. The film remains on track for the same release date in April 2020’.
Meanwhile over at the UK’s Pinewood Studios three explosions went off on set after a stunt went wrong during filming earlier this month.
Health and Safety officials arrived on the set of the beleaguered movie after an explosion ripped a hole in a sound stage and injured a member of the crew.
The official Twitter account for the 007 franchise confirmed the blasts, with a post saying: ‘During the filming of a controlled explosion on the set of Bond 25 today at Pinewood Studios, damage was caused to the exterior of the 007 Stage.
‘There were no injuries on set, however one crew member outside the stage has sustained a minor injury.’
Filming for the movie began several weeks ago, four years after the previous Bond film, Spectre, was released.
Yet it has been claimed the screenplay for the film is being endlessly re-written by a committee consisting of director Cary Joji Fukunaga, Phoebe Waller-Bridge and 007 himself, Daniel.
‘She’s writing a re-write of a re-write,’ a source told the Daily Mail’s Baz Bamigboye of Waller-Bridge’s recent involvement in the project.
Iconic: In her 1985 adventure with 007, Jones played an assassin called May Day who went on to betray the villainous Max Zorin after being bedded by Bond
‘Daniel’s writing. Cary’s writing. The crew reckon they’re working on a well-polished s**t show.
‘They have an outline of plot, but dialogue is all last-minute. It’s not the way to make a movie. I would imagine they’ll sort it out in the cutting room. That’s where most movies get made anyway. But you’d think the Bond lot would be more together.’
The Sun reported that director Fukunaga left a meticulously planned shoot in disarray by turning up ‘several hours late’ following an ‘intense’ PlayStation session.
His unexpected absence left the film behind schedule, with the filmmaker prompting further outrage by insisting his production team work over Father’s Day weekend in order to make up for lost time.
A source told the publication: ‘There is real mutiny right now on the set. It’s bad enough that Cary was so late for filming and held everyone up, but then for the crew to be asked to work extra hours to cover it was just the final straw.
‘He turned up three hours late which p***ed everyone off. There was a big bust up because they’re so behind. Many said they were not willing to give up their Father’s Day in return for this film. It’s just doomed.’
Daniel was also seen having a heated conversation with Fukunaga while filming at at a purpose built beach house in the Caribbean.
The cast, led by Craig, Naomie Harris, Lea Seydoux, Lashana Lynch and Ana de Armas, began shooting on location in Jamaica but have returned to the UK and Europe to link up with fellow stars Rami Malek, Ralph Fiennes and Ben Whishaw.
Several titles have been named as possible contenders for the picture including Shatterhand and more recently Eclipse and A Reason To Die.
Bond 25 has been blighted by drama from the beginning, with Daniel’s involvement in the film initially thrown into question when he claimed that he would rather ‘slash his wrists than reprise the role’, before making a complete U-turn and signing up for the movie.
The film – scheduled for release on April 8, 2020 – is slated to be Daniel’s fifth and final film in the franchise, with speculation rife over who will step into the Secret Service agent’s suit.
Bidding farewell: The film – scheduled for release on April 8, 2020 – is slated to be Daniel’s fifth and final film in the franchise (pictured in the 2006 film Casino Royale)