Major James Bond update as creator of huge BBC series is confirmed to write the latest 007 film as they claim it's a 'bucket list' job

Daily Mail​

4 days ago

Steven Knight is set to write the latest James Bond movie, Amazon MGM Studios have confirmed.
The British screenwriter, 65, is perhaps best known as the creator of the hugely popular BBC crime drama Peaky Blinders starring Cillian Murphy.
And now he's set to lend his talents to the long-running spy franchise by penning the script for the newest 007 film, with Steven revealing that it has always been on his 'bucket list'.
The latest Bond film is currently in development and is to be directed by Dune's Denis Villeneuve, with Amazon MGM Studios overseeing the project after longtime producer Barbara Broccoli gave up creative control.
Meanwhile, Amy Pascal and David Heyman are on board to produce the movie via Pascal Pictures and Heyday Films respectively, while Tanya Lapointe will serve as executive producer.
Speaking about his involvement in the film, Steven told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast: 'It has always been on my bucket list and it's fantastic to be invited to do it - I can't wait to get started.
'I'm hoping that, being a Bond fan for so many years, it will be imbued into me and I will be able to produce something that's the same but different, and better, stronger and bolder.'
However, Steven failed to give any inclination about who will replace Daniel Craig in the titular role.
The actor, 57, stepped down from the iconic spy role back in 2021, having starred in five of the films over a 15 year period.
A number of actors have been tipped to step into his shoes, with stars including Taron Egerton, Aaron Taylor Johnson, Paul Mescal and Theo James thrown into the mix.
When pressed on who could be the new Bond, he responded: 'That is a very, very good question, and one I can't give you the answer to'.
The last outing for James Bond was 2021's No Time to Die, with Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Neal Purvis, Robert Wade and Cary Joji Fukunaga on the writing team.
Speaking of the selection process for the latest film, Steven shared: 'I was invited to a meeting with [producer] Amy Pascal, didn't know what it was about, and very quickly discovered what it was about and became very, very excited and hopeful.
'And then a process is followed where you do some meetings, you discuss some ideas, and then you find out you've got it.
'So I found out a while ago but it was announced last night, which is great.'
He added that it was a 'high pressure' job, before noting: 'you've just got to do what you do, do it as well as you can'.
It comes after Taron Egerton responded to speculation that he could be the next James Bond after Daniel Craig 's exit.
Many A-list names have been thrown into the ring during the months of speculation about who will play 007 next following Amazon's takeover of the franchise.
Rocketman star Taron, 35, has been rumoured to be in the running to be Bond as far back as 2019, with Sir Roger Moore 's son Geoffrey even backing him for the role.
However, Taron has now dashed fans' hopes as he poured cold water on the idea, insisting he is too 'messy' to play the suave secret agent.
'I don't think I'm a good choice for it, I think I'm too messy for that,' he told Collider.
'I really love James Bond and particularly Daniel Craig's tenure, but I think I wouldn't be good at it.
'I think there's so many cool, younger actors who would be great for it, I think it would be wasted on me, probably.'
Taron also acknowledged that taking on the Bond mantel is quite an undertaking and insisted nobody has actually approached him about the role.
But he didn't rule out taking on another major commercial project as he revealed he wouldn't turn down a different opportunity, though remained coy about what that might be.