Daniel Craig and Danny Boyle have been confirmed for the next James Bond film, which will be released in October 2019.
Universal Pictures have won the international distribution rights to the 25th movie about the spy – who will be played by Craig for a fifth time – with Boyle set to direct the hotly-anticipated movie, which will drop in the UK first on October 25, 2019.
The 50-year-old actor’s return will undoubtedly stun fans as he stated three years ago that he would ‘rather slit his wrists’ than take on the role once more.
He’s back! Danny Boyle and Daniel Craig have been confirmed for the next James Bond film, which will be released in October 2019
EON Productions’ Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli told Deadline: ‘We are delighted to announce that the exceptionally talented Danny Boyle will be directing Daniel Craig in his fifth outing as James Bond in the 25th instalment of the franchise.
‘We will begin shooting Bond 25 at Pinewood Studios in December with our partners at MGM and thrilled that Universal will be our international distributor.’ Production on the movie, which will land in the US on November 8, 2019.
Speaking in 2015, when asked about returning to the role, Craig told the Guardian: ‘Now? I’d rather … slash my wrists. No, not at the moment. Not at all. That’s fine. I’m over it at the moment. We’re done. All I want to do is move on.
‘I don’t know what the next step is. I’ve no idea. Not because I’m trying to be cagey. Who the f**k knows? At the moment, we’ve done it. I’m not in discussion with anybody about anything. If I did another Bond, it would only be for the money.’
Having a giggle: Universal Pictures have won the international distribution rights to the 25th movie about the suave spy – who will be played by Craig for a fifth time – with Boyle set to direct the hotly-anticipated motion picture, which will drop in the UK first on October 25, 2019
Despite this he is making his comeback in the role, ahead of its return.
Kevin Ulrich, chairman of the board of directors at MGM – who will handle domestic distribution with Annapurna – said: ‘Under the leadership of Michael and Barbara, we couldn’t be more thrilled than to bring the next 007 adventure to the big screen uniting the incomparable Daniel Craig with the extraordinary vision of Danny Boyle.’
Jon Glickman, group president at MGM, who will also handle the digital and worldwide television distribution rights, added: ‘It has been 16 years since ‘Die Another Day’ was distributed by MGM and it’s incredibly gratifying to be releasing this film alongside the powerhouse team at Universal.’
Back again: Ben Whishaw – who plays Q in the franchise – recently admitted he was delighted to hear Boyle had signed up to helm the next movie
In March, Boyle teased he was working on the Bond 25 script. He said: ‘We are working on a script right now. And it all depends on that really.
‘I am working on a Richard Curtis script at the moment. We hope to start shooting that in six or seven weeks. Then Bond would be right at the end of the year. But we are working on them both right now.’
Ben Whishaw – who plays Q in the franchise – recently admitted he was delighted to hear Boyle had signed up to helm the next movie.
He’s back: Speaking in 2015, when asked about returning to the role, Craig told the Guardian: ‘Now? I’d rather … slash my wrists. No, not at the moment. Not at all. That’s fine. I’m over it at the moment. We’re done. All I want to do is move on’
Starring alongside: Ben Whishaw (left) – who plays Q in the franchise – recently admitted he was delighted to hear Boyle had signed up to helm the next movie
Speaking to BANG Showbiz, Ben explained: ‘I just think it’s really exciting to have Danny Boyle on board for Bond.
‘I was thrilled when I read that he was going to be doing it, I can’t think of a better or more exciting fit for Daniel [Craig] and the direction he’s taken the character of Bond.
‘I’m just really excited to work with him, I’ve been such a big fan. It seems weird to talk about it because I’ve not had a conversation with him but it’s exciting.’
Bond 25 is set to be Craig’s final outing as secret agent 007.