Steven Knight, the screenwriter behind the upcoming 26th James Bond film, has strongly hinted that the next 007 has already been chosen and admitted that finding out the actor’s identity made his job “a little bit easier”.
Who will be the next James Bond?
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on 8 September, the Peaky Blinders creator was asked whether he had written the script with a specific performer in mind or purely from his understanding of Ian Fleming’s character.
“It’s a bit of both,” Knight replied. “It does make life a little bit easier if you know who that person is, but also you have to write the character, not the actor.”
When pressed on when exactly he learned who would succeed Daniel Craig, Knight laughed and sidestepped, saying: “I’ll refer you to his previous answer.”
Casting context: who’s in the running to be the next 007?
Knight’s comments come days after Gary Oldman told reporters that producers had “already made their choice” but not yet announced it, and that he was backing his Slow Horses co-star Jack Lowden for the role.
Recent reporting points to a tight shortlist for Denis Villeneuve’s reboot, with names repeatedly cited including:
- Jack Lowden (Slow Horses, SAS: Rogue Heroes) – bookmakers’ favourite and publicly supported by Oldman
- Jacob Elordi (Wuthering Heights, The Idol) – frequently mentioned as a top contender
- Callum Turner (One Night Only, The Capture)
- Jack Barton (Heartstopper) – reported by some outlets as a surprise frontrunner
- Harris Dickinson (Babygirl)
- Paul Mescal (Gladiator II) – also named in recent shortlists
The final decision rests with director Denis Villeneuve and producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman, with casting director Nina Gold also involved.
Writing Bond for a new era
Knight described taking on the project as a kind of national duty: “The only thing I can say is it feels like I’m doing my duty for king and country – if you’re a British writer, you have to do it.”
He emphasised the importance of preserving Bond’s distinct identity in an era dominated by superhero franchises: “The thing with Bond is it’s its own universe and its own franchise. Obviously, you have to move it along, but I love where it sits. I love that it’s British and it’s not DC or Marvel.”
Knight also said he feels “a responsibility to” Fleming’s source material as he shapes the reboot, which will follow 2021’s No Time to Die – Daniel Craig’s fifth and final outing as 007.
When will filming begin?
Production timelines suggest filming won’t begin until after Villeneuve completes Dune: Part 3, due in December 2026.
An official casting announcement is widely expected before the end of the year, with producers previously indicating late 2026 as a likely window.
