James Bond will be appearing on movie screens for the next 15 years at least, thanks to a new Hollywood deal.
The team behind 007 has signed a pact with studio giant Warner Bros to take the spy franchise past its 27th film and 75th birthday in 2037. Tinseltown insiders hailed the tie-in “great news for fans”.
A source said: “Bond is sure to still be in rude health at 75. There will be no hanging up the tux and martini.”
The deal comes even though bosses have yet to decide on Daniel Craig ’s successor. The 54-year-old star announced in advance that No Time to Die would be his last in the 007 role. That 2021 film is the series’ 25th and Craig’s fifth outing as Bond since Casino Royale.
Executive producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson are locked in talks over who could fill the actor’s brogues.
Frontrunner Idris Elba, 49, has reportedly walked away to pursue his own film franchise. Other names in the frame include Superman star Henry Cavill, 39, and Bridgerton favourite Rege-Jean Page, 34.
Insiders say Eon Productions are seeking a Bond who is aged under 40 and over 5ft 10in tall, wanting a “fresh-faced” lead.
Bringing in someone in their late 30s could allow the chosen actor to remain in the plum job for at least a decade.
Craig was 38 when he first starred as Bond in 2006 and 51 when he shot his last scenes. The next Bond – number 26 – is likely to hit screens in 2024.
Distributor MGM said: “We are incredibly excited to be working with the team at Warner Bros to bring MGM’s slate of future releases to international audiences.”
The character of James Bond, a British secret agent working for MI6 under the codename 007, was created by British novelist Ian Fleming in 1953.
The spy has been played by six actors so far: Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig.
The films have collectively grossed over £5.3bn worldwide, with 2012’s Skyfall raking in £1bn.
