Bond Has a Script. But Who’s 007?

The next James Bond film now has a first draft, with screenwriter Steven Knight confirming that he has completed the opening version of the screenplay.

Knight, best known as the creator of Peaky Blinders, was asked by Zoe Ball on Britain’s Greatest Hits Radio whether he had finished the draft.

His answer was suitably restrained.

“I’m nodding silently,” he said.

Knight added that he was “absolutely loving” the job and described being asked to write Bond as something beyond a bucket-list opportunity.

So the next 007 film now has a writer, a director and a script.

What it still does not have publicly is the name of the next James Bond.

Daniel Craig ended his five-film run as 007 with No Time to Die in 2021, leaving the franchise facing its biggest casting decision in nearly two decades.

Amazon MGM confirmed in May that the casting process was underway, while Variety reported that auditions had already begun.

Among those reported to have been in contention are Callum Turner, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Harris Dickinson, Jacob Elordi and Slow Horses actor Jack Lowden.

None has been officially announced.

Hollywood, naturally, has supplied enough Bond rumours to fill several MI6 filing cabinets.

There are also signs that the casting process may be further along than Amazon MGM has publicly disclosed.

Gary Oldman recently said he understood that the producers had already “made their choice,” although he did not explain how he knew and Amazon MGM has not confirmed that a decision has been made.

Oldman also said he hoped Lowden might get the role, but did not claim that the actor had actually been chosen.

Knight has been similarly careful.

Asked whether Bond had already been cast, he declined to say. He did, however, acknowledge that knowing who the actor is can make writing “a little bit easier,” while stressing that the job is still to write James Bond rather than tailor the character entirely around the performer.

If Knight knows more, he is keeping it classified.

What is confirmed is that Dune and Arrival filmmaker Denis Villeneuve will direct the next instalment, with Knight writing the screenplay.

Amazon MGM Studios now has creative control of the franchise following its 2025 agreement with longtime Bond custodians Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, who remain co-owners.

For the first time in years, the next Bond film is beginning to look less like a distant project and more like an actual movie.

There is a director.

There is a writer.

There is now a first draft.

The script is in. The director is set. The only thing still under wraps is the name on the tuxedo.