Daniel Craig’s swan song as 007 will be co-written by Phoebe Waller-Bridge and star Oscar-winner Rami Malek as the main villain, film bosses have confirmed.
Fresh details of the plot and cast for the 25th James Bond film, which is set for release next April, have been revealed at an official launch at Ian Fleming’s villa in Jamaica.
Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson and new director Cary Fukunaga said Oscar-winner Rami Malek will play the film’s key villain. They also confirmed that MI6 regulars Ralph Fiennes (who took over from Judi Dench as M after 2012’s Skyfall), Naomie Harris (Moneypenny), Jeffrey Wright (Felix Leiter), Rory Kinnear ( Bill Tanner) and Ben Whishaw (as Q) will all return, alongside Léa Seydoux, who played psychologist Madeleine Swann in 2015’s Spectre.
A word about #BOND25 from Rami Malek pic.twitter.com/CLJ5mpO9mu
— James Bond (@007) April 25, 2019
Film bosses are keeping the title under wraps but the trio did reveal that Fleabag creator, Killing Eve writer and all-around goddess Phoebe Waller-Bridge will be among the new film’s writers. Making her the second female writer in Bond history – after Johanna Harwood, who worked on Dr No and From Russia With Love.
The official plot summary reads:
“Bond has left active service and is enjoying a tranquil life in Jamaica. His peace is short-lived when his old friend Felix Leiter from the CIA turns up asking for help. The mission to rescue a kidnapped scientist turns out to be far more treacherous than expected, leading Bond onto the trail of a mysterious villain armed with dangerous new technology.”
The as yet untitled 25th Bond films is slated for release on April 8, 2020. Check back here for updates.