MGM executive affirms Bond 25 is Craig’s final 007 outing

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A Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer executive last month affirmed that Bond 25 will be Daniel Craig’s finale as James Bond.

“Daniel Craig, of course, will star in his final turn as 007 under the direction of Cary Fukunaga,,” Christopher Brearton, chief operating officer of the studio, said in prepared remarks for shareholders. The conference call took place in early May when MGM reported first-quarter financial results.

That’s not an especially remarkable statement. In August 2017, Craig announced on Late Night With Stephen Colbert he was returning for Bond 25. The host asked him if he might do more Bonds.

“I think this is it,” Craig said. “I want to go out on a high note.”

Of course, there have been occasional tabloid stories suggesting otherwise. The Sun, in a January 2019 story, and The Express in an April 2019 article each said Eon Productions boss Barbara Broccoli hasn’t given up on the idea of getting Craig back for Bond 26.

Meanwhile, Brearton didn’t have much else to say about Bond 25 on the May call.

“In film, we announced the kickoff of production of the 25th instalment of the Bond franchise, unveiling the storyline and a terrific cast, including Rami Malek, fresh off his Academy Award-winning turn as Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody as a mysterious new villain,” the executive said.

“We are very excited to be getting production underway and you will be hearing more from us in the coming months.”