The working title for James Bond 25, which will be Daniel Craig’s fifth and final film as 007, has been revealed: Shatterhand.
There are no hints about the meaning of the title, although it was used in the Ian Fleming novel You Only Live Twice; Bond’s nemesis Ernst Stavro Blofeld used the alias Dr. Guntram Shatterhand. However, Christoph Waltz confirmed that he would not return as Blofeld back in 2017.
The film will be directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga, who had this to say “In terms of what I can bring to change the character, Bond is on a character arc that started with ‘Casino Royale,’ and I will be carrying that on. There will be changes, I am sure. As in any story, a character has to change in order [to have] a narrative.”
Scott Z. Burns was recently hired to rewrite the script written by Neal Purvis and Robert Wade. No details have been given, although the London Independent claimed that the plot would be based on Raymond Benson’s 2001 novel Never Dream of Dying. The novel had Bond involved with movie star Tylyn Mignonne as he tries to take down The Union. The author has denied those rumors.
Craig has played Bond since Casino Royale (2005). Other Bond actors that are rumored to be returning are Lea Seydoux (Madeleine Swann), Ralph Fiennes (M), Naomie Harris (Moneypenny), Ben Whishaw (Q), and Rory Kinnear (Bill Tanner). Still to be cast are 2 female roles, the main villain, and an American CIA agent.
According to Variety, Billy Magnussen is the top choice for the CIA agent, though there is no indication an offer has been made. Magnussen appeared on director Fukunaga’s Netflix series, Maniac.
According to Collider, Rami Malek is in final negotiations to play the villain. While initially it was thought that scheduling could not be worked out with his commitments on the final season of “Mr. Robot,” that conflict seems to have been resolved. There are no details about the character although the villain has been rumored to be a blind man. Collider also indicated that Black Panther’s Lupita Nyong’o is being considered for an unspecified role.
According to Production Weekly, Shatterhand will begin filming on April 6 in London’s Pinewood Studios, then head to Matera, Italy to finish shooting and be released on April 8, 2020.
