Bond 25 remains untitled, Rami Malek confirmed as villain

Now, pay attention Bond, the first details of the twenty-fifth instalment in the 007 franchise have been announced.

Universal Pictures announced that Bond 25, coming to cinemas in April 2020, remains untitled for now but will star Daniel Craig (James Bond), Ralph Fiennes (M), Ben Whishaw (Q), Naomie Harris (Miss Moneypenny), Rory Kinnear (Tanner), Jeffrey Wright (Felix Leiter), and Léa Seydoux (Madeleine Swann) alongside new cast members Rami Malek (Bohemian Rhapsody), Ana De Armas (Blade Runner 2049), Lashana Lynch (Captain Marvel), Dali Benssalah (Nox), Billy Magnussen (Game Night), and David Dencik (McMafia).

Oscar-winner Malek was not at the announcement, but appeared via video to promise his character would not give 007 “an easy ride”, suggesting he’s playing the film’s villain.

“Bond is not on active service when we start the film”, shared producer Barbara Broccoli, “so we see him enjoying himself in Jamaica.”

“He starts his journey here, and we’ve built an extraordinary house for him.”

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Here’s the official synopsis: Bond has left active service and is enjoying a tranquil life in Jamaica. His peace is short-lived when his old friend Felix Leiter from the CIA turns up asking for help. The mission to rescue a kidnapped scientist turns out to be far more treacherous than expected, leading Bond onto the trail of a mysterious villain armed with dangerous new technology.

It’s been confirmed Bond 25 will be Daniel Craig’s fifth and final outing as James Bond, and director Cary Joji Fukunaga promised to send the 51-year-old actor out on an all-time high, saying he would be “upping the ante” for the next director to take on the franchise down the line.

Craig’s previous Bond films were Casino Royale, Quantum Of Solace, Skyfall, and Spectre.

Cameras have already begun to roll on the film, with second unit footage already captured in Norway earlier this year. Director Cary Fukunaga confirmed the film would also shoot at Pinewood, on location in London, and in Matera, Italy.

The film is working from a script written by series veterans Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, with Michael G. Wilson confirming that Scott Z. Burns and Phoebe Waller-Bridge have also contributed to the script.

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Other members of the creative team are; Director of Photography Linus Sandgren, Editor Tom Cross and Elliot Graham, Production Designer Mark Tildesley, Costume Designer Suttirat Larlarb, Supervising Stunt Coordinator Olivier Schneider, 2nd Unit Stunt Coordinator Lee Morrison and Visual Effects Supervisor Charlie Noble. Returning members to the team are; 2nd Unit Director Alexander Witt, Special Effects and Action Vehicles Supervisor Chris Corbould and Casting Director Debbie McWilliams.

Wilson confirmed his plan to cameo in the film.

The details were announced via a livestream from GoldenEye, James Bond novelist Ian Fleming’s estate on Oracabessa bay, Jamaica.

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The sprawling beachside home sits on the northern coastline on the Caribbean island on Oracabessa bay, and was bought by Bob Marley following Fleming’s death in 1964. A number of the Bond movies, including Dr No and Live And Let Die, were filmed near the estate, which now operates as a hotel.

Bond 25 is set to be released in UK cinemas on April 3, 2020.

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The immersive cinema experience begins Wednesday 5 June to Sunday 22 September, running Wednesday to Sunday each week. For full details click here.