James Bond 25, still officially untitled, is widely reported to be starting production in a matter of weeks, after its release date was nudged back again to April 2020. But Fiennes, who plays the current iteration of M, has said in a new interview that a screenplay has yet to land in his inbox. Insisting he’s not just “being coy”, he also said he has no idea what the story of the film is.
He told Newsnight: “I can’t tell you much. There’s as much security around a Bond production as there is in MI6.
“I don’t know the name of the film, I haven’t had access to a screenplay yet.
“I do know they intend to film it later this year.”
He added: “I have been affectionately nudging [exec producer] Barbara Broccoli to send me a screenplay and I’m told it will be coming soon, and I know that Daniel [Craig] is playing Bond.
“Honestly, I’m not being coy – I don’t know when it starts or what the story is.”
Asked whether he would like to see a female Bond, or an actor of colour in the iconic role, he said: “I’d like to see a great black actor inhabit a Bond-like persona, but not necessarily in the same franchise.
“We could re-make Bond as a woman or as an actor of any ethnicity – in another vehicle.”
Bond 25 was previously reported to have the working title of Shatterhand, but Broccoli seemingly shut it down on social media.
The cast is yet to be announced, and it’s thought that there are two leading female roles yet to be allocated.
Lupita Nyong’o was reported to be top of bosses’ wishlist, but it seems she will not be joining the line-up.
Bond 25 is believed to be Daniel Craig’s final outing as 007, with speculation over his replacement continuing to simmer.
Bond 25 is out on April 8, 2020.