So, as the Bond rumors persist, with the UK tabloids seemingly anointing a new favorite every quarter, we finally have a timeline from a reputable source.
Here’s Deadline’s Justin Kroll, guesting on the My Mom’s Basement podcast, saying his sources indicate that the new James Bond will likely be cast in the middle of this year, with filming starting late this year or early next year.
Now, I wouldn’t bet on “late this year,” considering Villeneuve will be all over the world promoting “Dune 3” in November and December. But January 2027? That sounds about right.
A key factor here is screenwriter Steven Knight, who’s writing Bond 26 for Villeneuve and Amazon/MGM. With credits that include “Peaky Blinders” and “Eastern Promises,” Knight has a history of gritty, violent storytelling.
One insider told Kroll the new Bond needs to look like “he could kill you with his bare hands in a trice” — a clear return to Fleming’s more brutal version of the character. Sources also indicate that Knight is drawing heavily from Fleming’s earliest novels, which could mean a return to Bond’s Royal Navy background and his rise through MI6 before attaining his “00” status.
We could very well have an “origin” story on our hands, potentially set in the ’50s or ’60s. Not a done deal, but that’s what many fans would love to see — a period-set Bond.
As for who will play Bond, let’s pause on the speculation. The only concrete intel I’ve gotten is that Amazon/MGM was pushing for Jacob Elordi, but with no auditions having taken place and Villeneuve having final say, we’re still a few months away from a decision.