Daniel Craig CONFIRMED to return as James Bond - here's what we know so far
Daniel Craig will be back as 007 in 2019
We have been waiting with baited breath to find out if Daniel Craig will return as James Bond for the next film in the 007 franchise and he's now confirmed he will in fact be reprising his role. The actor was asked if he would be returning to the role back in August 2017 by host Stephen Colbert whilst appearing on The Late Show and he replied "yes".
He continued, "We've been discussing it, we've just been trying to figure things out," he said. "I always wanted to, I needed a break."
The next instalment in the James Bond film franchise has been given a release date of 8th November 2019. The as yet untitled Bond 25 film will be released in the UK earlier than the rest of the world on 25th October 2019.
MGM and Eon have now found the studio which will handle the marketing and the distribution of the film. Out of Fox, Sony, Universal and Warner Brothers who were all in the running, Universal Pictures have won.
Will Daniel Craig be back as James Bond in the next film?
Yes! Despite saying that he'd rather "slit his wrists" than take part in another Bond film, Craig confirmed that he'd spoken rashly in the interview with Stephen Colbert on The Late Show.
He said, "There is no point in making excuses about it, but it was two days after I finished shooting the last movie.
"I went straight into an interview and someone said, 'Would you do another one?' And I went, 'No.' And instead of saying something with style and grace, I gave a really stupid answer."
MGM have also confirmed the news in a statement released today (25th May). Kevin Ulrich, chairman of the board of directors at MGM said, 'Under the leadership of Michael and Barbara, we couldn't be more thrilled than to bring the next 007 adventure to the big screen uniting the incomparable Daniel Craig with the extraordinary vision of Danny Boyle.'
Empire's top 10 films of 2017 revealed...
10. Call Me My Your Name
Set in 1993 Italy Call Me by Your Name shows the romantic relationship between Elio Perlman, a 17 year-old living in Italy, and his father's American assistant, Oliver.
Daniel Craig CONFIRMED to return as James Bond - here's what we know so far
2 of 10
1. Get Out
In first place is the critically acclaimed American horror movie. Get Out features a young interracial couple who visit the woman's parents, uncovering a conspiracy whereby young black adults are being captured. The film has grossed over $254 million worldwide, against its $4.5 million budget.
10. Call Me My Your Name
Set in 1993 Italy Call Me by Your Name shows the romantic relationship between Elio Perlman, a 17 year-old living in Italy, and his father's American assistant, Oliver.
9. The Handmaiden
The Handmaiden is a South Korean erotic psychological thriller film directed by Park Chan-Wook.
8. Logan
Hugh Jackman stars as the lead role in American superhero movie Logan. It is the tenth installment in the X-Men series, as well as the third and final Wolverine solo film.
7. God's Own Country
This British drama followed the life of a young sheep farmer in Yorkshire and how is life changed suddenly following the arrival of a Romanian migrant worker.
6. Dunkirk
Directed by Christopher Nolan, Dunkirk had a star-studded cast including One Direction singer Harry Styles, Tom Hardy and Mark Rylance.
5. The Death of Stalin
The comedy/drama which was released in October followers The Soviet dictator as he lives out his final days, and how chaos erupts after his death.
4. Moonlight
Loved by millions across the world, Moonlight was the winner of 3 Academy Awards including Best Picture.
3. La La Land
In third is multi Oscar-winning musical rom-com La La Land, also starring Gosling with Academy-award winner Emma Stone.
2. Blade Runner 2049
In second place is Blade Runner 2049, set thirty years after the first film and starring Ryan Gosling and Harrison Ford
1. Get Out
In first place is the critically acclaimed American horror movie. Get Out features a young interracial couple who visit the woman's parents, uncovering a conspiracy whereby young black adults are being captured. The film has grossed over $254 million worldwide, against its $4.5 million budget.
10. Call Me My Your Name
Set in 1993 Italy Call Me by Your Name shows the romantic relationship between Elio Perlman, a 17 year-old living in Italy, and his father's American assistant, Oliver.
9. The Handmaiden
The Handmaiden is a South Korean erotic psychological thriller film directed by Park Chan-Wook.
8. Logan
Hugh Jackman stars as the lead role in American superhero movie Logan. It is the tenth installment in the X-Men series, as well as the third and final Wolverine solo film.
7. God's Own Country
This British drama followed the life of a young sheep farmer in Yorkshire and how is life changed suddenly following the arrival of a Romanian migrant worker.
6. Dunkirk
Directed by Christopher Nolan, Dunkirk had a star-studded cast including One Direction singer Harry Styles, Tom Hardy and Mark Rylance.
5. The Death of Stalin
The comedy/drama which was released in October followers The Soviet dictator as he lives out his final days, and how chaos erupts after his death.
4. Moonlight
Loved by millions across the world, Moonlight was the winner of 3 Academy Awards including Best Picture.
3. La La Land
In third is multi Oscar-winning musical rom-com La La Land, also starring Gosling with Academy-award winner Emma Stone.
2. Blade Runner 2049
In second place is Blade Runner 2049, set thirty years after the first film and starring Ryan Gosling and Harrison Ford
1. Get Out
In first place is the critically acclaimed American horror movie. Get Out features a young interracial couple who visit the woman's parents, uncovering a conspiracy whereby young black adults are being captured. The film has grossed over $254 million worldwide, against its $4.5 million budget.
Who will direct the next James Bond film?
The last two Bond films, Spectre and Skyfall, were directed by Sam Mendes who has stated he is moving on from the films.
The next James Bond film will be directed by Danny Boyle, who is best known for directing films such as Trainspotting, Slumdog Millionaire and 127 Hours as well as leading the opening ceremony at the 2012 London Olympics.
Bond 25 will be written by Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, who wrote the last four films; Casino Royale, Quantam Of Solace, Skyfall and Spectre, which all starred Daniel Craig.
WATCH: Daniel Craig discusses James Bond with Stephen Colbert on The Late Show
Who will sing the next James Bond film soundtrack?
All we need now is to find out who is going to sing the epic soundtrack! No-one has been confirmed yet, although British singer Dua Lipa's name has been thrown into the mix.
Although she denied the rumours, she did confess that she'd love the job, saying, "I would love to do it. I’m not recording it so far, I don’t want to jinx it."
In the meantime let's just relive the amazing song that is 'Skyfall' by Adele.
And the 2015 Spectre soundtrack by Sam Smith, 'Writing's On The Wall.'
The next James Bond film will be released in the UK on 25th October 2019, and the rest of the world will see it on 8th November 2019.
