James Bond enthusiasts are reportedly facing an extended wait for the next installment of the iconic spy franchise, with a new film not expected until 2028. This would mark the longest interval between Bond movies in the series' 64-year history.
The franchise has seen lengthy gaps before, such as the six-year hiatus between 1989's Licence to Kill, the final film starring Timothy Dalton, and 1995's GoldenEye, which introduced Pierce Brosnan as 007. However, with the lead actor yet to be cast following Daniel Craig's departure after 2021's No Time To Die, a potential spring 2028 release would mean a seven-year wait for audiences.
Last year, the Broccoli family transferred creative control of the Bond franchise to Amazon MGM Studios, which was formed after Amazon acquired Bond's parent studio in 2022, ending a 30-year tenure. Dune director Denis Villeneuve has reportedly signed on to helm the new project, with Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight penning the script.
A source revealed: 'Bond won't be back until 2028. The production mindset has shifted from rushing the process to ensuring we get it right. Denis wanted a long break after Dune 3 and has some broad ideas for the script. Steven will work on drafts, and they will map out the final version, which will take at least the whole summer.'
The insider added: 'Realistically, if they can start pre-production by January 2027, that would be a success. Principal photography will run until summer, and the film typically takes around nine months to a year to edit.'
Daily Mail has contacted Amazon MGM for comment. Meanwhile, actor Harris Dickinson has emerged as a frontrunner in betting odds to become the next James Bond. The 28-year-old, who will portray John Lennon in the upcoming Beatles film series set for 2028, is now at odds of 8/5, just behind Callum Turner at 4/5. Alex Apati of Ladbrokes commented: 'Harris Dickinson has a busy few years ahead if the latest odds are anything to go by; he could well be swapping between John Lennon and James Bond.'
Other contenders include Jacob Elordi at 5/1, Aaron Taylor-Johnson at 6/1, and Theo James at 10/1. The list of potential Bonds also features Idris Elba, Jonathan Bailey, James Norton, Jack Lowden, and Henry Cavill.
Harris Dickinson will star alongside Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney, Joseph Quinn as George Harrison, and Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr in four films about The Beatles. The supporting cast includes Aimee Lou Wood as Pattie Boyd, Saoirse Ronan as Linda McCartney, Anna Sawai as Yoko Ono, and James Norton as manager Brian Epstein. The movies will each tell the story from the perspective of one band member, covering their rise from unknowns in Liverpool to global superstardom and eventual breakup in 1970. This marks the first time surviving Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, along with the families of John Lennon and George Harrison, have granted rights for feature films about the band.
