Bond producer to make female spy thriller

JAMES BOND producer Barbara Broccoli has announced a female spy thriller starring Blake Lively.

The Rhythm Section, described as a “female-driven international espionage thriller”, adapts the first of British writer Mark Burnell’s Stephanie Patrick series of novels for the big screen.

Michael G Wilson and Broccoli, who worked on the last eight Bond films, including Spectre and Skyfall, will produce it.

Former Gossip Girl actress Lively, 29, will play Stephanie Patrick, who is on a path to self-destruction after her family is killed in a plane crash, a flight that she was meant to be on. She sets out to uncover the truth, adopting the identity of an assassin, after discovering that the crash was not an accident.

Wilson and Broccoli said they were “thrilled” to be adapting the book. “It is exciting for us to be working with the immensely talented team of director Reed Morano and actress Blake Lively who have a strong vision for this very compelling story driven by a female protagonist,” they said.

The movie will be filmed in the UK, Ireland, Spain, Switzerland and the US.

The announcement comes as uncertainty surrounds the casting of a new 007, with suggestions that Daniel Craig could continue in the role.