By the time the next Bond movie, No Time To Die, hits theaters, fans will have had the longest wait between 007 movies since Daniel Craig took over the role in 2006. Spectre was released in 2015, and since then, the follow-up has gone through the uncertainty of who will play Bond, a change of directors, multiple writers, and a delayed release date. But finally the movie arrives in April next year.
No Time To Die is the 25th movie in the long-running series which kicked off in 1962 with Dr. No. It's the fifth time that Craig has played the iconic British superspy, and for many younger fans, he IS James Bond, as it's now 17 years since previous Bond star Pierce Brosnan departed the role. While the more recent films in the series have followed much of the formula, they've also departed from it in numerous ways too. Craig's movies are more personal, with Bond's family history and tortured romantic life playing a bigger part in the storylines. There's more of a consistent narrative between the films than there was with previous Bonds, and much of the action is more grounded, with the Jason Bourne movies a clear influence on them. No invisible cars or jetpacks here!
But they're still Bond movies, with the girls, gadgets, and insane villains that fans have come to expect, and there's no reason to think that No Time To Die won't deliver on that front. When Danny Boyle was initially hired to direct, there were rumors that he would take the series in a more surprising direction. But his departure and the hiring of regular series writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade (who have worked on every Bond movie since 1999’s The World Is Not Enough), suggests that it'll be business as usual. Nevertheless, with an exciting director in Cary Joji Fukunaga, additional script work from Killing Eve's Phoebe Waller-Bridge, and the first female 00 agent, there's much to be hopeful for. So while we wait for Bond's next mission, here's everything we know to date about No Time To Die...
When is No Time To Die's release date?
No Time To Die hits US theaters on April 8th 2020, with the UK release set for April 2.
Who in the cast is coming back?
While every Bond movie has a number of reoccuring characters, No Time To Die has more than most. Daniel Craig returns as Bond, and of course he's joined by his old MI6 colleagues Miss Moneypenny (Naomie Harris), M (Ralph Fiennes), and Q (Ben Wishsaw). Rory Kinnear plays MI6 chief of staff Bill Tanner once more, while two characters from 2015's Spectre are also back--Dr. Madeleine Swann (Léa Seydoux) and incarcerated criminal mastermind Blofeld (Christoph Waltz), whose return was first leaked earlier earlier this year. There's also the very welcome return of Jeffrey Wright as CIA agent Felix Leiter, who last appeared in 2008's Quantum of Solace.
Who's new to the cast?
No Time To Die features a number of high-profile new additions to the Bond universe. Oscar-winning Bohemian Rhapsody and Mr. Robot star Rami Malek is the big villain this time around. His character is named Safin, and while we don't know too much about his evil plans, the trailer reveals that he's badly scarred and has some link to Madeleine Swann. In addition, producer Barbara Broccoli previously described the character as "the one that really gets under Bond's skin. He's a nasty piece of work."
The other two main characters are on Bond's side, although it sounds like relations with both might be strained. Captain Marvel's Lashana Lynch plays a new "00" agent named Nomi, who has entered MI6 following Bond's retirement and is clearly keen to keep Bond out of her way. There's also Paloma, played by Blade Runner 2049's Ana de Armas, a CIA agent that the actor herself described as "very irresponsible."
Who's the director?
No Time To Die is directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga. He's best known for directing the acclaimed first season of HBO's True Detective and last year's Netflix sci-fi show Maniac, as well as movies such as Beasts of No Nation, Jane Eyre, and Sin Nombre. Fukunaga was announced as the latest Bond director in September 2018, following the departure of Danny Boyle.
Who are the writers?
Not surprisingly, considering the rather convoluted history of this movie, No Time To Die has a number of writers. Veteran Bond writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade were first hired to work on the script back in early 2017, but when Danny Boyle came on board, he brought along his longtime collaborator John Hodge to write a completely different story. Boyle and Hodge's exit led to the return of Purvis and Wade; their script was then handed to Paul Haggis, who also worked on Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace, and then Bourne Ultimatum's Scott Z. Burns for further drafts. Finally, Fleabag and Killing Eve creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge was hired at Craig's request to reportedly write "sharper dialogue." It's not unusual for big Hollywood movies to go through multiple rewrites by numerous screenwriters, so let's hope the end product delivers the goods.
What's the plot?
While many plot details are yet to be revealed, the initial synopsis and the recent trailer reveal the basics about the story. Bond has retired and is living in Jamaica, but, of course, he doesn't stay out of the spy game for long--especially when old friend and CIA agent Felix Leiter comes to visit. Soon Bond is back to doing what he does best, and there's a new threat in the villainous shape of the mysterious Safin. Bond's old flame Madeleine Swan is holding secrets that put her and Bond in some dangerous situations, and former Spectre boss Blofeld is in there too--behind bars but still handing out threats.
Is there a trailer?
The first trailer for No Time To Die was released in early December. It features a mix of familiar faces from previous movies, new characters, and all the globe-trotting action and intrigue you'd expect from a new Bond movie. There are some spectacular locations--such as Italy, Jamaica, and Norway--and some amazing looking stunts, including some ridiculous stuff on a bike.
Daniel Craig's last mission?
Fans might feel a bit of deja-vu about this, but Daniel Craig has stated that this is his final outing as Bond. In November he told German website Express that "someone else needs to have a go." Of course, that's what he said shortly before Spectre was released in 2015, when he notoriously stated that he'd rather "slash my wrists" than play the character again--comments that were, unsurprisingly, subsequently retracted. But at 51, Craig is now the second oldest Bond in an "official" 007 movie so it seems likely this is indeed the final one. (Roger Moore was 58 when he finally bowed out).
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