James Bond news: ‘Peaky Blinders’ creator to write ‘better, stronger, and bolder’ 007
Amazon MGM has hired Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight to pen the screenplay for the next James Bond film.
Knight will collaborate with world-renowned director Denis Villeneuve for Agent 007’s next outing.
Film News Blitz’s Dan Lawrence comments on Knight boarding the Bond express.
Who is new ‘James Bond’ screenwriter Steven Knight?
New James Bond producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman are swiftly assembling a creative powerhouse to craft the first film in the franchise under the creative control of Amazon.
With Dune director Villeneuve, a self-confessed Bond fan already signed up, adding Knight as the screenwriter is a real coup.
Knight’s credits read as an all-star collection of television smash-hits.
The Peaky Blinders creater/writer is also responsible for Emmy-nominated Taboo (BBC/FX), the Emmy-nominated See (Apple TV+), the BAFTA-nominated SAS Rogue Heroes (BBC), and A Thousand Blows (Disney+), This Town (BBC), The Veil (FX), and All the Light We Cannot See (Netflix).
So it’s hard to gauge whether anyone understands drama more than Knight, and his writing credits aren’t solely in the small-screen world, with the Brit having been responsible for penning Locke, Spencer and was Oscar-nominated in 2004 for Dirty Pretty Things.
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What has Steven Knight said about writing the new ‘James Bond’ film?
Like Villeneuve, Knight is a fan of the James Bond film franchise and is looking forward to putting his own creative stamp on this legendary character.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast, Knight said, “It has always been on my bucket list and it's fantastic to be invited to do it - I can't wait to get started.
"I'm hoping that, being a Bond fan for so many years, it will be imbued into me and I will be able to produce something that's the same but different, and better, stronger and bolder," he added.”
Speaking on how this massive career move came about, Knight explained, “I was invited to a meeting with Amy Pascal, didn't know what it was about, and very quickly discovered what it was about and became very, very excited and hopeful.
"And then a process is followed where you do some meetings, you discuss some ideas, and then you find out you've got it.”
What does this mean for ‘James Bond ’?
What this means for James Bond is that fans should expect a bold and brilliant iteration of the character.
Director Villeneuve’s credits show he is a proven filmmaker, known for bold, epic films like Dune, Blade Runner: 2049 and the incomparable thriller Prisoners.
Knight’s credits also speak for themselves, as arguably one of the most prolific showrunners that the British creative industry has ever produced.
While fans of James Bond could have been fearful Amazon would mishandle the franchise, creative decisions thus far have shown they’re dealing with their hot property with care.
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Who will be the next James Bond?
Knight was asked by the 5 Live crew if he knew who would be the next Agent 007, but he was unable to provide insight.
"That is a very, very good question, and one I can't give you the answer to,” he said.
Tom Holland, Jacob Elordi and Harris Dickinson have been rumoured to be on Amazon’s shortlist, who are believed to be after a younger Bond in his 30s.
Meanwhile, the likes of Aaron Taylor-Johnson, James Norton, Paul Mescal and Aaron Pierre have also been named as potential Bond actors.
When will the next ‘James Bond’ film be released?
It is unknown at what time the new James Bond film will be released.
Villeneuve is currently busy shooting Dune: Part Three, and with no finished screenplay or lead actor, production starting on Bond is some time away.
As a result, it remains doubtful that James Bond will return to cinemas before 2028.
