I took the liberty of creating a timeline of news and rumors for Bond 25:
Potential spoilers below
February 2015
-Rumors spark that Spectre and Bond 25 will share a two story arc, according to a report from Film Divider. Speculation suggests that Léa Seydoux and Christoph Waltz have signed on to reprise their roles, though the accuracy of these rumors is questioned
June 2015
-Variety reports that the distribution rights for the Bond franchise will be up for grabs following Spectre's release and Sony's departure from the series, and lists Warner Bros. as a viable candidate due to their recent partnerships with MGM on films such as the Hobbit franchise and the upcoming "Creed"
July 2015
-Sam Mendes reveals he will not direct any more Bonds after Spectre, making it unlikely for Bond 25 to be a direct sequel to its predecessor
August 2015
-Daniel Craig confirms in an interview he has no plans for the next 2 years, but is considering some theater work in NY, opening up the possibility for another 3 year gap
September 2015
-When asked in an interview for Esquire whether he'd be open to doing a 5th film in his tenure, Craig responds with, "At this moment, no. I have a life and I’ve got to get on with it a bit. But we’ll see.”
October 2015
-Daniel Craig hints in numerous interviews that he'll likely return for Bond 25, but is quoted as 'needing a break.'
-A questionable rumour from Express.co.uk suggests that the series' 25th entry will be a period film, with it being set in the 60s
-Spectre's ending sets us up for a return of a few key cast members
November 2015
-Following Spectre's critical success, Sam Mendes doesn't rule out making his Bond helm a trilogy
-Craig more or less confirms he will be back for Bond 25, saying he is 'not gone yet.'
-In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, producer Michael G. Wilson confirms that a new distributor for the franchise will be chosen sometime near February 2016; also reconfirms a likely return for Craig
-Michael G. Wilson hints at another 3 year gap
-Producer Barbara Broccoli reveals development on B25 could begin sometime near Spring 2016
-Léa Seydoux admits to the press she has not been asked to return for B25, but would love to if given the opportunity
-Daniel Craig is announced to play Iago alongside David Oyelowo in the upcoming "Othello" in 2016, which may interfere with his role in the development of B25
December 2015
-The Mirror stirs rumours that director Guy Ritchie of The Man from UNCLE fame has been tipped to helm Bond 25, after the producers allegedly enjoyed the film
January 2016
-According to reports, Christoph Waltz has signed on to reprise his role as Ernst Stavro Blofeld for two more consecutive Bond films, as long as Craig returns as Bond
-Multiple tabloids claim a similar story in which the producers have offered Daniel Craig to film both Bond 25 and 26 back to back, due to his requests for time off
-While on the Graham Norton show, Ralph Fiennes revealed he will return for another and possibly penultimate time as Bond's boss
February 2016
-Daniel Craig is reported to star in a Todd Field directed limited series adaptation of Jonathan Franzen's Purity
-Daniel Craig's reps confirm he is not "quitting" the role of Bond, despite reports from The Sun that claim otherwise
-Associate producer Gregg Wilson states that creative work for B25 has yet to begin, but that as far as he is concerned, Craig is still Bond
-Wilson also states that they have begun to look for the next real world threat to center a B25 plotline around
-In another likely attempt to stir rumors, The Sun reports that both EoN and MGM are desperate to keep Craig in the role, and are willing to delay B25 to accommodate for his involvements in other plans
-Actor Mark Strong, a close friend of Daniel Craig, is quoted as saying he thinks Craig is done with the role
-The producers are reportedly eyeing Croatia, particularly Dubrovnik, as a filming location for B25 according to Croatian newspaper Croatia Week, after franchises like Game of Thrones and Star Wars had filmed in the country
March 2016
-Multiple outlets report that Poldark's Aidan Turner has been tipped to succeed Daniel Craig as James Bond, and has been rather coy when asked to comment in interviews
-At the Empire Awards, Sam Mendes states that he is still unsure about whether Craig will return or not. "I think you’ve got to feel 100% to come back, and I think he knows that. He needs to have a break and do another role and see how he feels after that. I’ll be watching with as much interest as you guys."
-At an MGM conference call, CEO Gary Barber confirms that Bond films will be released on a three-to-four year cycle; also states that there is 'no rush' for making a distribution deal
-Ben Whishaw states in an interview that he thinks Craig will return
-The Mirror reports that producer Barbara Broccoli is set on The Night Manager's Tom Hiddleston as Craig's replacement, but is likely building on previous rumours
April 2016
-Tom Hiddleston denies having ever had discusstions with EoN about possibly succeeding Craig as Bond
-Sam Mendes' next project is announced for DreamWorks' The Voyeur's Motel, to be directed by Mendes and produced by both him and Steven Spielberg, effectively ruling him out for B25
-Ralph Fiennes tells Den of Geek that he doesn't know whether he will come back as M or not, and that his return relies on Daniel Craig's pending decision
-Baz Bamigboye of the Daily Mail reports that Barbara Broccoli is set to produce Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool, hinting that there is no urgency in commencing production on B25
May 2016
-Hiddleston further deflates any rumors that he is involved with replacing Craig
-A new addition in a set of likely false tabloid rumours states that an "unknown source" has spotted Tom Hiddleston meeting with producers Barbara and Michael about possibly playing Fleming's creation in a future film
-Hiddleston's representatives deny having ever had talks with EoN
-Daily Mail reports that Daniel Craig has turned down a $68 million deal to return as Bond in both Bond 25 and Bond 26
-Just as the news was catching interest from several media outlets, BBC claims that Bond officials contacted them to deny any validity surrounding the story
-In an interview with Total Film, John Logan hints that he has no plans to script the forthcoming Bond film, going against earlier statements from MGM that confirmed his writing duties for both B24 and B25
Talking of Cooper( sorry this is going off topic) has anyone seen his portrayal of Fleming, have not seen it so tempted to order it off Amazon, seems to have no bad reviews
I saw it and didn't think it was so good. Charles Dance gave a much better performance as Fleming in Goldeneye. That's the one to see.
Dance was great as Fleming and even slightly resembled him. Damn I wish I still had that one! I taped it in 1990. It had a Lazenby introduction, interviews with Maud Adams and Tanya Roberts during the commercial breaks. Sadly it got lost in my recent move.
I remember it was briefly available on VHS around the time of TWINE, but I never did get it.
The timeline is excellent ...thank you for all the effort you put into compiling it. It really does put things into perspective.
It just appears that Craig may really be undecided at this time or this is just a big tease being perpetuated by EON to keep
Bond in the new cycle between films and create more anticipation and ballyhoo for any official announcement when it comes.
Look at it this way: if after SPECTRE is released and has its run in cinemas, DVD, cable, etc EON announces Bond #25 with Craig on board
it's just another news blurb and then it's out of site, out of mind until production ramps up on Bond 25. If there is this big cliff hanger out there as to whether Craig is returning coupled with who could replace him, the Tabs, the 'net. etc will keep abuzz with rumors, etc building up anticipation and keeping James Bond in the 24/7 news cycle. When an official announcement is made and it turns out Craig is returning it is has now morphed into just as huge of a story as a new Bond being announced. P.T. Barnum would love it. -{
Talking of Cooper( sorry this is going off topic) has anyone seen his portrayal of Fleming, have not seen it so tempted to order it off Amazon, seems to have no bad reviews
Margot Robbie is absolutely stunning as Jane in the new Tarzan...particularly in the rain :x :x :x
Check out my Amazon author page!Mark Loeffelholz
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
While both actresses are wonderful, I think someone not known to the public works best for Bond. If Bond #25 features a new Bond actor this is doubly important.
While Lea Seydoux and Monica Bellucci were great in SPECTRE, this was with a established Bond. A new Bond needs someone like Eva Green, Famke Jansen or Izabella Scorupco - new beautiful actresses we hadn't noticed before.
Margot Robbie gets my vote, a perfect choice for TH or even DC should he return.
Margot Robbie & Emma Watson are absolutely too young for Craig. So if the info is true there must be a new, younger Bond. Both are around my age (25).
Agreed. I thought Craig looked preposterous with Lea Seydoux.
It wasn't as bad as Moore with Tanya Roberts. I didn't think the age difference between Craig and Seydoux was that bad, though it does make the love aspect of it harder to believe. It also wouldn't have been so bad if Craig looked his actual age of 47 and not a decade older. He aged more over his Bond tenure than Obama aged over his presidency! (Okay, I know Craig has been Bond a little longer)
Margot Robbie & Emma Watson are absolutely too young for Craig. So if the info is true there must be a new, younger Bond. Both are around my age (25).
Agreed. I thought Craig looked preposterous with Lea Seydoux.
It wasn't as bad as Moore with Tanya Roberts. I didn't think the age difference between Craig and Seydoux was that bad, though it does make the love aspect of it harder to believe. It also wouldn't have been so bad if Craig looked his actual age of 47 and not a decade older. He aged more over his Bond tenure than Obama aged over his presidency! (Okay, I know Craig has been Bond a little longer)
The age difference in terms of actual years isn't so drastic by Bond standards (17 years!). But as you point out, Craig looks older than he is. And Seydoux looks younger than her age. Plus, Monica Bellucci (an age-appropriate women) was there to provide contrast.
In any event, Craig with either Ms. Robie or Ms. Watson would be downright ludicrous.
LoeffelholzThe United States, With LovePosts: 8,998Quartermasters
Craig and Seydoux looked perfectly fine to me, age-wise ?:) But then my girlfriend is 15 years younger than I am, so my perspective is somewhat different.
Check out my Amazon author page!Mark Loeffelholz
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
So you're starting to relate to the Roger Moore era a bit more these days, Loeffs?
"This is where we leave you Mr Bond."
Roger Moore 1927-2017
LoeffelholzThe United States, With LovePosts: 8,998Quartermasters
Nobody's more surprised than this guy! ;% )
Check out my Amazon author page!Mark Loeffelholz
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
Check out my Amazon author page!Mark Loeffelholz
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
Comments
Potential spoilers below
February 2015
-Rumors spark that Spectre and Bond 25 will share a two story arc, according to a report from Film Divider. Speculation suggests that Léa Seydoux and Christoph Waltz have signed on to reprise their roles, though the accuracy of these rumors is questioned
June 2015
-Variety reports that the distribution rights for the Bond franchise will be up for grabs following Spectre's release and Sony's departure from the series, and lists Warner Bros. as a viable candidate due to their recent partnerships with MGM on films such as the Hobbit franchise and the upcoming "Creed"
July 2015
-Sam Mendes reveals he will not direct any more Bonds after Spectre, making it unlikely for Bond 25 to be a direct sequel to its predecessor
August 2015
-Daniel Craig confirms in an interview he has no plans for the next 2 years, but is considering some theater work in NY, opening up the possibility for another 3 year gap
September 2015
-When asked in an interview for Esquire whether he'd be open to doing a 5th film in his tenure, Craig responds with, "At this moment, no. I have a life and I’ve got to get on with it a bit. But we’ll see.”
October 2015
-Daniel Craig hints in numerous interviews that he'll likely return for Bond 25, but is quoted as 'needing a break.'
-A questionable rumour from Express.co.uk suggests that the series' 25th entry will be a period film, with it being set in the 60s
-Spectre's ending sets us up for a return of a few key cast members
November 2015
-Following Spectre's critical success, Sam Mendes doesn't rule out making his Bond helm a trilogy
-Craig more or less confirms he will be back for Bond 25, saying he is 'not gone yet.'
-In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, producer Michael G. Wilson confirms that a new distributor for the franchise will be chosen sometime near February 2016; also reconfirms a likely return for Craig
-Michael G. Wilson hints at another 3 year gap
-Producer Barbara Broccoli reveals development on B25 could begin sometime near Spring 2016
-Léa Seydoux admits to the press she has not been asked to return for B25, but would love to if given the opportunity
-Daniel Craig is announced to play Iago alongside David Oyelowo in the upcoming "Othello" in 2016, which may interfere with his role in the development of B25
December 2015
-The Mirror stirs rumours that director Guy Ritchie of The Man from UNCLE fame has been tipped to helm Bond 25, after the producers allegedly enjoyed the film
January 2016
-According to reports, Christoph Waltz has signed on to reprise his role as Ernst Stavro Blofeld for two more consecutive Bond films, as long as Craig returns as Bond
-Multiple tabloids claim a similar story in which the producers have offered Daniel Craig to film both Bond 25 and 26 back to back, due to his requests for time off
-While on the Graham Norton show, Ralph Fiennes revealed he will return for another and possibly penultimate time as Bond's boss
February 2016
-Daniel Craig is reported to star in a Todd Field directed limited series adaptation of Jonathan Franzen's Purity
-Daniel Craig's reps confirm he is not "quitting" the role of Bond, despite reports from The Sun that claim otherwise
-Associate producer Gregg Wilson states that creative work for B25 has yet to begin, but that as far as he is concerned, Craig is still Bond
-Wilson also states that they have begun to look for the next real world threat to center a B25 plotline around
-In another likely attempt to stir rumors, The Sun reports that both EoN and MGM are desperate to keep Craig in the role, and are willing to delay B25 to accommodate for his involvements in other plans
-Actor Mark Strong, a close friend of Daniel Craig, is quoted as saying he thinks Craig is done with the role
-The producers are reportedly eyeing Croatia, particularly Dubrovnik, as a filming location for B25 according to Croatian newspaper Croatia Week, after franchises like Game of Thrones and Star Wars had filmed in the country
March 2016
-Multiple outlets report that Poldark's Aidan Turner has been tipped to succeed Daniel Craig as James Bond, and has been rather coy when asked to comment in interviews
-At the Empire Awards, Sam Mendes states that he is still unsure about whether Craig will return or not. "I think you’ve got to feel 100% to come back, and I think he knows that. He needs to have a break and do another role and see how he feels after that. I’ll be watching with as much interest as you guys."
-At an MGM conference call, CEO Gary Barber confirms that Bond films will be released on a three-to-four year cycle; also states that there is 'no rush' for making a distribution deal
-Ben Whishaw states in an interview that he thinks Craig will return
-The Mirror reports that producer Barbara Broccoli is set on The Night Manager's Tom Hiddleston as Craig's replacement, but is likely building on previous rumours
April 2016
-Tom Hiddleston denies having ever had discusstions with EoN about possibly succeeding Craig as Bond
-Sam Mendes' next project is announced for DreamWorks' The Voyeur's Motel, to be directed by Mendes and produced by both him and Steven Spielberg, effectively ruling him out for B25
-Ralph Fiennes tells Den of Geek that he doesn't know whether he will come back as M or not, and that his return relies on Daniel Craig's pending decision
-Baz Bamigboye of the Daily Mail reports that Barbara Broccoli is set to produce Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool, hinting that there is no urgency in commencing production on B25
May 2016
-Hiddleston further deflates any rumors that he is involved with replacing Craig
-A new addition in a set of likely false tabloid rumours states that an "unknown source" has spotted Tom Hiddleston meeting with producers Barbara and Michael about possibly playing Fleming's creation in a future film
-Hiddleston's representatives deny having ever had talks with EoN
-Daily Mail reports that Daniel Craig has turned down a $68 million deal to return as Bond in both Bond 25 and Bond 26
-Just as the news was catching interest from several media outlets, BBC claims that Bond officials contacted them to deny any validity surrounding the story
-In an interview with Total Film, John Logan hints that he has no plans to script the forthcoming Bond film, going against earlier statements from MGM that confirmed his writing duties for both B24 and B25
This was posted over on mi6, saying Mendes isn't coming back.
Dance was great as Fleming and even slightly resembled him. Damn I wish I still had that one! I taped it in 1990. It had a Lazenby introduction, interviews with Maud Adams and Tanya Roberts during the commercial breaks. Sadly it got lost in my recent move.
I remember it was briefly available on VHS around the time of TWINE, but I never did get it.
Interesting reading too - I'm now not so sure about any rush to announce the next Bond...
It just appears that Craig may really be undecided at this time or this is just a big tease being perpetuated by EON to keep
Bond in the new cycle between films and create more anticipation and ballyhoo for any official announcement when it comes.
Look at it this way: if after SPECTRE is released and has its run in cinemas, DVD, cable, etc EON announces Bond #25 with Craig on board
it's just another news blurb and then it's out of site, out of mind until production ramps up on Bond 25. If there is this big cliff hanger out there as to whether Craig is returning coupled with who could replace him, the Tabs, the 'net. etc will keep abuzz with rumors, etc building up anticipation and keeping James Bond in the 24/7 news cycle. When an official announcement is made and it turns out Craig is returning it is has now morphed into just as huge of a story as a new Bond being announced. P.T. Barnum would love it. -{
If the Metro said it was raining, I'd look out of the window to check !
Cooper did a good job, was a fab series
http://www.digitalspy.com/movies/james-bond-007/news/a802683/is-margot-robbie-going-to-be-the-next-bond-girl-or-does-emma-watson-have-the-gig-wrapped-up/
" I don't listen to hip hop!"
Margot Robbie is absolutely stunning as Jane in the new Tarzan...particularly in the rain :x :x :x
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
While Lea Seydoux and Monica Bellucci were great in SPECTRE, this was with a established Bond. A new Bond needs someone like Eva Green, Famke Jansen or Izabella Scorupco - new beautiful actresses we hadn't noticed before.
Margot Robbie & Emma Watson are absolutely too young for Craig. So if the info is true there must be a new, younger Bond. Both are around my age (25).
Agreed. I thought Craig looked preposterous with Lea Seydoux.
It wasn't as bad as Moore with Tanya Roberts. I didn't think the age difference between Craig and Seydoux was that bad, though it does make the love aspect of it harder to believe. It also wouldn't have been so bad if Craig looked his actual age of 47 and not a decade older. He aged more over his Bond tenure than Obama aged over his presidency! (Okay, I know Craig has been Bond a little longer)
Like Aidan Turner? He's in his early 30's
" I don't listen to hip hop!"
The age difference in terms of actual years isn't so drastic by Bond standards (17 years!). But as you point out, Craig looks older than he is. And Seydoux looks younger than her age. Plus, Monica Bellucci (an age-appropriate women) was there to provide contrast.
In any event, Craig with either Ms. Robie or Ms. Watson would be downright ludicrous.
Lea looks so young ?
Nah, Lea is around my age. And she looks her age.
I know women who are Craig's age who look too young for him!
These casting articles are REALLY premature.
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
Roger Moore 1927-2017
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
Not for decades... :v
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM