Amazon MGM’s plans for James Bond 26 finally appear to be coming together, with a new report indicating a potential timeline for when audiences might expect a casting announcement. With the franchise recently undergoing several behind-the-scenes shake-ups, including the departure of long-term producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson in February this year, the next James Bond movie will mark a major turning point in the property’s decades-long history. Despite rampant speculation, audiences appear to be no closer to learning who will be the next to pick up 007’s infamous licence to kill.

A new report from Puck’s Matthew Belloni suggests that Amazon MGM Studios finally has a plan in mind for how and when they will make their final casting decision. According to Belloni, newly appointed Bond producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman, along with Amazon MGM executives Mike Hopkins and Courtenay Valenti, plan to settle on a director this summer and get the script written. Only once the script is completed will they then cast the next Bond. Belloni has also suggested that the current directors being considered include Edward Berger, Denis Villeneuve, Edgar Wright, Jonathan Nolan, and Paul King.

What This Timeline Means For Bond 26

It Makes Sense To Wait For A Polished Script

While this latest news still does not provide any insight about which actor will succeed Daniel Craig as the seventh official James Bond, it at least begins to debunk any suggestions that any previous casting speculations are all but confirmed. While various commentators have pointed to several Bond contenders, it makes sense for Pascal and Heyman to wait until they have a finished script in hand before making their final decision. Moreover, whoever is selected as the Bond 26 directorwill likely also have considerable influence over the final decision.

For some, however, this news may also bring with it a small degree of frustration, as it all but guarantees that a final Bond casting announcement will still be some way off. Given No Time To Die’s 2021 release, the wait for Bond 26 is already looking likely to become the franchise’s longest break between films. Nonetheless, given that the choice of actor will likely continue to lead the franchise for years to come, it is probably best that Amazon MGM Studios weigh the decision with the utmost care.

Our Take On Bond 26’s New Timeline

They Should Take The Time Needed To Get It Right

The pressure on Pascal and Heyman to get Bond 26 right should not be underestimated. Serving as the first official Bond movie in the decades-long franchise not steered by the Broccoli family, people will likely be scrutinizing their every move. Yet, the decision to wait for a finished script before committing to a final casting decision seems like the kind of sensible approach needed to deliver a fitting continuation of the beloved spy property. While it may not give a quick answer as to who the next Bond will be, it at least sets the stage for a more carefully considered decision.

Source: Puck