Screenwriter Steven Knight has revealed that the first draft of the script for the next James Bond film is complete. Speaking on British radio station Greatest Hits Radio, Knight was asked whether he had finished the first draft, and he said he was nodding his head silently in response.
Knight is the prolific writer behind "Peaky Blinders," "A Thousand Blows" and "House of Guinness," and he also worked on the new Oasis documentary "Don't Look Back in Anger." He described writing a Bond film as something even bigger than a lifelong dream, adding that taking on the task feels like doing his duty for king and country.
He said he genuinely enjoys the work enormously, that it is an honour to have been asked, and that he believes the script will be very good. He added that he truly believes it will be amazing.
Bond 26 and the search for a new 007
Interest in the James Bond franchise has focused almost entirely on who will succeed Daniel Craig in the role of 007, something many expect to be announced very soon. Craig last played the British secret agent in "No Time to Die" before stepping away from the part.
A few days earlier, Knight appeared to hint that he already knows who has been chosen to play Bond in the 26th film in the series, which marks a fresh start for the franchise under director Denis Villeneuve, working for Amazon MGM Studios. Villeneuve is known for directing "Dune" and its sequel.
Asked on BBC Radio 4's "Today" programme whether he wrote the film with the chosen actor in mind or relied more on what he knows about the character itself, Knight said it was a bit of both. He explained that knowing who the person is makes life a little easier, but that he still has to write the character rather than the actor.
Gary Oldman's claim about the casting
Knight's comments come just days after actor Gary Oldman claimed that the key casting decision has already been made. Oldman said he hopes his "Slow Horses" co-star Jack Lowden, considered one of the leading favourites for the role, will ultimately be the one to land the part.
Oldman said it had been reported that Lowden was on the shortlist, and that people would find out soon enough, because the choice had already been made. He said the decision had been taken but simply not yet announced, adding that he was keeping his fingers crossed for Lowden. Oldman made the remarks in an interview on the Canadian programme "The Morning Show."
What comes next
With the first draft of the screenplay now finished, attention remains on when Amazon MGM Studios will formally announce the new Bond actor. Knight's remarks give no timeline for filming or release, and no casting has yet been confirmed.
