Daniel Craig 'returning as James Bond' for 2019 movie, reports confirm

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Last night (24 July), Eon Productions and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer — the companies behind the James Bond franchise — announced their next 007 thriller would reach cinemas 8 November 2019. However, there was no announcement over who would be playing the iconic character.

The New York Times has since confirmed recent reports that Daniel Craig will return, despite having previously said he would rather “slash his wrists” than play the character again.

Two sources told the publication Craig’s contract was a done deal; separate sources told The Mirror earlier this year that Craig had “changed his mind” about playing Bond and that franchise producer Barbara Broccoli has “secured” the actor.

It was previously reported that Craig was offered up to £120 million to return as the spy for two more films despite attention surrounding fellow candidates Tom Hiddleston, Idris Elba, James Norton and Poldark star Aidan Turner.

Dunkirk’s Christopher Nolan has been one director in talks regarding the upcoming film following Sam Mendes departure, saying in a recent interview: “I’ve spoken to the producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson over the years. I deeply love the character, and I’m always excited to see what they do with it.

“Maybe one day that would work out. You’d have to be needed, if you know what I mean. It has to need reinvention; it has to need you. And they’re getting along very well.”

The producers are also rumoured to be “determined” to bring back Adele to record the theme tune after singing the lead track on Skyfall — the first 007 theme to win a Grammy and a Golden Globe award.

The new film does not have a formal title yet. It will be written by Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, the duo who handled the scripts for Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, Skyfall and Spectre.