True Detective director Cary Joji Fukunaga is confirmed to helm the 25th James Bond movie. It will be shown in theaters in February 2020.
The announcement was made by the Bond series producers via Twitter on Sept. 20. The newest Bond film will start filming in March next year under London's Pinewood Studios.
"Michael G. Wilson, Barbara Broccoli and Daniel Craig announced today that Bond 25 will begin filming at Pinewood Studios on 4 March 2019 under the helm of director, Cary Joji Fukunaga with a worldwide release date of 14 February 2020," reads the statement.
Cary Joji Fukunaga's Directorial Career
Fukunaga has cemented his reputation as an acclaimed director in his works such as Jane Eyre, Sin Nombre, and Netflix's Maniac, a dark comedy focused on the pharmaceutical industry starring Jonah Hill and Emma Stone. He also directed Beasts of No Nation, starring Oscar-winning actor Idris Elba, wherein he also served as the producer, writer, and cinematographer.
He will be the first-ever American to direct an 007 movie. Other Bond directors were mostly British, including Lewis Gilbert, Sam Mendes, and John Glen. Additionally, the 41-year-old director has won TV BAFTA and Emmy awards for directing the first season of True Detective.
He has taken over the spot of Slumdog Millionaire and Trainspotting director Danny Boyle who left his post last month because of creative differences. Rumors suggest that the director did not push through with the job after he had disagreed with Craig and its executive producer over casting Tomasz Kot as the film's antihero.
Furthermore, Saïd Taghmaoui also claimed that he was cast by Boyle to portray the villain. Currently, it is unclear whether or not Taghmaoui or Kot will be involved in Fukunaga's project.
Notably, when Boyle was announced to be responsible for the film, EON Productions said that it would start filming in Pinewood Studios, Buckinghamshire in December.
"We are delighted to be working with Cary. His versatility and innovation make him an excellent choice for our next James Bond adventure," stated Broccoli and Wilson.
Last James Bond Film With Daniel Craig
The upcoming film is set to be the last movie where Daniel Craig will portray the charismatic agent. So far, Craig has appeared in four Bond films including Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, Skyfall, and Spectre.
The actor previously said that he would prefer to slash his wrists rather than play Bond again. However, he defended himself by saying that he said the statement only two days after he had finished shooting for Spectre.
