Next James Bond film will 'reinvent' 007 and is at least 'two years' away
The next James Bond film — Bond 26 — will not start filming until 2024 at the very earliest says producer Barbara Broccoli.
Talking to Deadline after receiving a BFI Fellowship alongside her step-brother and producing partner Michael G Wilson, Broccoli said "We’re reinventing who [Bond] is and that takes time. I’d say that filming is at least two years away.”
Daniel Craig concluded his tenure as Ian Fleming's 007 with 2021's No Time To Die, leaving Bond's iconic tuxedo vacant for the next incarnation to take over.
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Broccoli added that currently 'nobody’s in the running' to replace Craig, and the first step to making the 26th James Bond film is to nail the script.
“We’re working out where to go with him, we’re talking that through," the filmmaker disclosed. "There isn’t a script and we can’t come up with one until we decide how we’re going to approach the next film because, really, it’s a reinvention of Bond."
The next person to play Bond will be the seventh actor to portray 007 on the big screen following in the footsteps of Sir Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Sir Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig.
Read more: How each actor landed the role of Bond
Daniel Craig was announced as the sixth James Bond in October 2005, with principle photography on Casino Royale starting four months later in January, 2006. Amazon recently acquired film studio MGM, making them co-owners of the 007 film franchise, however Broccoli and Wilson retain creative control over the spy series which celebrates its 60th anniversary later this year.
The Bond producers paid tribute to the 'wonderful actors' who have portrayed 007 over the years as they were honoured with BFI Fellowships.
The sister and brother duo, aged 62 and 80, own EON Productions and have produced the last nine films in the beloved spy series.
During an event at Claridge’s in London, they received the highest honour bestowed by the British Film Institute in front of an audience that included Naomie Harris, who played Miss Moneypenny in the recent Bond films, and Ralph Fiennes, who appeared as spymaster M.
Read more: James Bond 60th anniversary event announced
Speaking about the longevity of the franchise, Broccoli told the PA news agency Bond is “a classic hero”.
“He is out not for his own personal benefit. He is out for Queen and country. He tries to do the best thing,” she said.
“He is very heroic, and I think people admire that and look up to that. He has some fun along the way, which people enjoy as well.
“We have been very, very lucky. We have had the most wonderful actors portraying Bond over the years and we have had a wonderful cast and crew and technicians.
“So I think the audiences have just appreciated all the craftsmanship that goes into the films.”
Broccoli, the daughter of original Bond producer Albert R “Cubby” Broccoli, described the franchise as “everything” to her.
She added: “We have been together working on these films for 40 years and I have grown up with them my entire life, so it is really everything.
“It is a family, it is a family business, and we consider all the people we have worked with over the years family and extended family.”
Wilson said working on the Bond films is “more than just a job”.
“It is a lifetime of involvement,” he said.
“Trying to make films that are entertaining and relevant to what is going on in the world and put Britain on the map.”
Broccoli and Wilson were recently honoured with CBEs at Buckingham Palace after being included in the 2022 New Year Honours List.
Together, they have also produced The Rhythm Section starring Blake Lively and several independent film projects including The Silent Storm with Damian Lewis and Radiator featuring Gemma Jones.
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