Though it seemed like the next James Bond search would take a while, an industry insider suggests the announcement could actually come in March.
There's a chance the next James Bond actor could be announced very, very soon. Right now, the long-running James Bond franchise is in a transition phase as fans await the casting of the next 007. Daniel Craig last held the role across five movies, but with last fall's No Time to Die, he has officially taken his bows. Though it isn't yet clear what the franchise's next steps are, it is certain that James Bond will return, and he'll be played by someone new. Fans have been debating for years over who would be the best pick, with a multitude of names cropping up.
However, things have been remarkably quiet when it comes to the Bond search. When No Time to Die was still basking in its release, Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson stated they weren't beginning discussions about the franchise's future until Craig had time to properly enjoy his sendoff. After the movie debuted, there were reports of early discussions taking place at MGM, with special emphasis being placed on early. No names have emerged just yet, though Broccoli and Wilson did confirm they've brought up longtime fan favorite Idris Elba in some capacity.
Because of how little has been said about the Bond search so far, it seemed likely that fans would have to wait until well into 2022 to learn the identity of the next 007. However, according to Deadline reporter Justin Kroll, that might not be the case. Posting in a brief thread on social media, Kroll stated that "one source with a couple clients in the mix told me something interesting recently of when a decision may come down the pipeline, 'I think we here [sic] who it is after the Oscars.'" He then went on to say this isn't an explicit confirmation, and that this is "a 'could hear a name' by spring not a guarantee to." instance. Nevertheless, he is a reliable reporter, so it holds some meaning.
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The Oscars are currently set to take place on Sunday, March 27, meaning there could be only two more months before fans hear something major on the James Bond front. Assuming for a moment that Kroll's source is correct, the post-Oscars timeframe would make sense. That's a period where movies are more prominently featured in the news than usual, even if the events of the Oscars have little to do with James Bond. 2022 is already the best year to make an announcement like this, as it's the 60th anniversary of the entire franchise.
Again, this isn't a definite confirmation that the next Bond will be revealed in two months. At the very least, it shows that real progress is being made with this search, and there are contenders in the mix. It isn't yet clear if the most popular online picks - Elba, Tom Hardy, Henry Cavill, etc. - are being considered, but more light could be shed on this subject in the coming weeks. Still, Bond fans might want to keep their eyes peeled for some exciting news when the end of March rolls around. Just in case.
Source: Justin Kroll/Twitter
