James Bond Script Is Finally Complete, Steven Knight Confirms, as 007 Casting Mystery Grows

James Bond is finally starting to move again. After years of waiting, rumors, and questions about who will take over the role of 007, the next movie has reached an important stage. Screenwriter Steven Knight has confirmed that the first draft of the new Bond script is complete, giving fans a real sign that the long-awaited movie is taking shape.

Knight revealed the news during an interview with Zoe Ball on the U.K.’s Greatest Hits Radio. When he was asked if he had finished the first draft, the writer did not give a direct answer. Instead, he quietly nodded and said, “I’m nodding silently.” His response was reported by Variety, which confirms that the script has now reached its first major milestone.

For Bond fans, that may not sound as exciting as hearing the name of the next 007, but it is still a big step. The movie has been in development for some time, and details have been kept surprisingly quiet since Amazon MGM took control of the franchise. Denis Villeneuve is already attached to direct, while Knight is handling the screenplay. Now that the first draft is done, the project has something solid to build on.

Knight has also made it clear that writing a James Bond movie means a lot to him. The filmmaker, who is best known for creating Peaky Blinders and working on movies such as Spencer and Eastern Promises, described the job as “more than bucket list.” He also joked that he felt like he was doing his duty for King and country by taking on the famous British spy.

The new movie will be the 26th official Bond film and the first one since Daniel Craig ended his run with No Time to Die in 2021. Craig played Bond in five movies, so whoever takes over now will have to step into one of the most famous roles in movie history. Amazon MGM is reportedly looking toward a 2028 release, meaning there is still plenty of work to do before cameras roll.

While the script is moving forward, the biggest question remains unanswered: who is going to play James Bond? Names such as Jack Lowden, Callum Turner, Jacob Elordi, Harris Dickinson, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Louis Partridge, and Tom Francis have all been linked to the role at different points. Nothing has been officially announced, however, and Amazon MGM continues to keep the casting details private.

Knight recently added more fuel to the rumors when he suggested that he may already know who will play Bond. When asked if he had written the script with a particular actor in mind, his answer appeared to leave the door open to that possibility. That has made fans wonder if the studio has already made its choice and is simply waiting for the right time to reveal it.

Then Gary Oldman added even more mystery. While promoting Slow Horses, Oldman said he hoped his co-star Jack Lowden would get the part. He told reporters, “So my fingers are crossed for Jack,” according to Variety. His comment was enough to spark another round of Bond speculation, especially because Oldman seemed to suggest that the decision may already have been made. Amazon MGM has not confirmed that claim, so Lowden’s involvement remains only a rumor for now.

There is even a possible Bond villain story starting to form around Lowden. His wife, actress Saoirse Ronan, has previously said she is “dead serious” about wanting to play a villain in a Bond movie. Whether she actually joins the franchise is another question, but the connection has certainly given fans something else to talk about.

For now, the most important news is that the script is finished. With Knight’s first draft completed and Villeneuve ready to direct, the next Bond movie is no longer just an idea surrounded by rumors. The story is taking shape, and the casting announcement could be the next major piece of the puzzle. After such a long wait, fans finally have a reason to believe that 007 is getting closer to returning to the big screen.

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