The race to become the next James Bond is officially on. Amazon MGM Studios announced on Thursday that the search for a new actor to play the iconic 007 has begun, marking a major step forward for the future of the long-running spy franchise.
“The search for the next James Bond is underway,” the studio said in a statement. “While we don’t plan to comment on specific details during the casting process, we’re excited to share more news with 007 fans as soon as the time is right.”
According to Entertainment Weekly, acclaimed casting director Nina Gold has joined the project. Gold is known for her work on major productions including ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’, ‘Game of Thrones’, ‘Paddington’, ‘Prometheus and Conclave’.
Last year, Denis Villeneuve was confirmed as the director for the upcoming Bond film. The filmmaker, best known for the Dune franchise, previously described himself as a lifelong Bond fan.
“Some of my earliest movie-going memories are connected to 007,” Villeneuve said at the time. “I grew up watching James Bond films with my father, ever since ‘Dr. No with Sean Connery.”
The screenplay is being written by Steven Knight, creator of ‘Peaky Blinders’.
Producers attached to the project include Amy Pascal and David Heyman, with Tanya Lapointe serving as executive producer.
The James Bond franchise first arrived on the big screen in 1962 with ‘Dr. No, based on Ian Fleming’s novel of the same name. Since then, the legendary spy series has become one of Hollywood’s most successful film franchises.
