You didn’t really think that just because they had a flashy, “Live via Satellite” press conference, where the actors were all chummy and having fun, that the production of the upcoming ‘Bond 25’ was ready to get going without any issues, right? Seemingly from Day 1, the development of Daniel Craig’s swansong as 007 has been beset with problem after problem. Writers were switched. Directors came and went. Actors were rumored but then dropped out. Left, right, and center, problem after problem befell the development of ‘Bond 25.’
And now a new report claims the problems are continuing during the start of production, particularly when it comes to the script. Or as the report says, “what script?”
According to the Daily Mail, ‘Bond’ scooper Baz Bamigboye gives us a slightly worrisome, if not completely predictable, update about the upcoming ‘Bond 25.’ Apparently, sources tell the reporter that the script is in a constant state of flux with just about everyone who knows how to read and write contributing last minute additions to a project that is currently filming.
The latest writer to join the project is Pheobe Waller-Bridge, of “Fleabag” and “Killing Eve” fame, who was rumored to only be there to flesh out dialogue and the female characters. But it appears that’s not completely true.
“She’s writing a re-write of a re-write,” a source tells the Daily Mail. “Daniel’s writing. Cary’s writing. The crew reckon they’re working on a well-polished shit show.”
Oof. Not the vote of confidence fans have been hoping for after numerous delays have pushed this 25th entry in the ‘Bond’ franchise all the way into April 2020.
The source added, “They have an outline of plot, but dialogue is all last-minute.”
When the aforementioned press conference happened, which revealed the main cast, as well as the crew associated with the new film, it was startling to see the listing of writers that are credited for the script.
The official press release stated the film is “written by Neal Purvis & Robert Wade, Scott Z. Burns with Cary Joji Fukunaga and Phoebe Waller-Bridge.”
That’s a lot of creative powerhouses involved in one spy thriller, huh?
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Purvis and Wade are the mainstays of the franchise, having worked on many of the ‘Bond’ films. They came aboard after Danny Boyle left as director, and his script with his co-writer was thrown out. However, rumors said that the producers weren’t happy with Purvis and Wade’s new script and brought on Scott Z. Burns to help shape it some more. That’s when Cary Fukunaga was hired to helm the film, and he’s someone that is known to take a pass at a script. Now, as mentioned, Waller-Bridge seems to be the last person to take an official stab.
But even with that line-up of creatives, the script appears to be in such a way that Daniel Craig and other folks are punching it up on a daily basis? Now is the time when ‘Bond’ fans from around the world hold hands and begin to pray to the ghost of Ian Fleming that this all works out for the best.
‘Bond 25’ is set to hit theaters, for real, on April 8, 2020.