Daniel Craig to return as James Bond in 2019; Danny Boyle at helm

SHARE Daniel Craig to return as James Bond in 2019; Danny Boyle at helm
ap18145144966090.jpg

In this Monday, April 9, 2018, file photo, Daniel Craig attends en event in New York. | Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File\

LOS ANGELES — Daniel Craig is back as Bond, the spy series’ producers confirmed, in a Danny Boyle-directed film due for release in 2019.

Bond producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli of EON Productions announced Thursday that production on the 25th official James Bond thriller will begin in December at London’s Pinewood Studios.

Craig will reprise his role as 007 and Oscar-winner Boyle (“Trainspotting,” ”Slumdog Millionaire”) will direct from a screenplay by Boyle’s frequent collaborator John Hodge.

Confirmation of Craig’s fifth Bond film followed speculation that the 50-year-old actor was about to hand in his license to kill. He said in 2015 that he would rather “slash my wrists” than return to the role — but later backtracked on those remarks, made just after he finished filming his fourth Bond film, “Spectre.”

Boyle has directed Craig as Bond once before, in a 007-themed segment for the opening of the 2012 London Olympics.

EON said that after more than a decade at Sony Pictures, Universal Pictures will release the next installment of the superspy franchise internationally. MGM will handle the U.S. release.

Sony’s Bond contract expired in 2015 and many of the major studios competed for the chance to distribute the profitable franchise.

As per tradition Bond 25 will open a bit earlier in the U.K., on Oct. 25, 2019, than in the U.S., where it will debut on Nov. 8, 2019.

Associated Press

The Latest
Despite getting into foul trouble, which limited him to just six minutes in the second half, Shannon finished with 29 points, five rebounds and two assists.
Cowboy hats, bell-bottoms and boots were on full display Thursday night as fans lined up for the first of his three sold-out shows.
The incident occurred about 3:40 p.m. near Minooka. The horse was successfully placed back into the trailer, and the highway reopened about 40 minutes later. No injuries were reported.
The Hawks conceded the game’s only two goals within the first seven minutes and were shut out for the 12th time this season in a 2-0 defeat Thursday.