Steven KnightScreenwriter Steven Knight refused to be drawn on rumours that the next James Bond has now been cast.
The Peaky Blinders creator will pen the long-awaited 26th instalment in the 007 series, which will feature Dune director Denis Villeneuve at the helm.
All that remains now is for the actor taking over the iconic spy role from Daniel Craig to be unveiled – with recent rumours indicating that the decision has already been made, and an announcement is imminent.
During an appearance on Radio 4’s Today programme on Tuesday morning, the Bafta nominee insisted: “I cannot speak about this subject. Much as I would dearly love to.”
Host Anna Foster continued to put her guest on the spot, grilling him about “presumably” knowing who’s been cast in the part “when you’re writing it”.
Jack Lowden is among those rumoured to be the next James Bond“It does make life a little bit easier if you know who that person is, but also you have to write the character, not the actor,” he said, before drawing a line on that line of questioning.
Steven added that he felt like he was “doing my duty for King and country” by writing the next Bond script, noting: “The thing with Bond is it’s its own universe, and it’s its own franchise. So there are certain rules.
“I mean, obviously you have to move it along, but I love where it sits. I love that it’s British. I love that it’s not DC or Marvel … So I feel a responsibility to the text.”
Towards the end of last month, it was reported that 007 bosses had narrowed their search for the next Bond to just six picks.
Jack Barton has been named in the press as the frontrunner to be cast as the next 007While Heartstopper’s Jack Barton was named at the time as the frontrunner, Slow Horses star Jack Lowden is another popular choice.
Other names in the frame are thought to include Callum Turner, Jacob Elordi, Paul Mescal and Harris Dickinson.
