Bond is back...with help from an Oscar winner and Fleabag creator
They are two of entertainment’s hottest products right now and their addition to “Bond 25” could just be the making of 007’s latest outing.
Oscar winner Rami Malek – fresh from being crowned best actor for his captivating role as late Queen singer Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody– has joined the coming film, which will be Daniel Craig’s fifth outing as James Bond.
And Phoebe Waller-bridge – the acclaimed writer of hit BBC series Fleabag and Killing Eve – has also been brought in to liven up a script that has been dogged by controversy since the departure of director Danny Boyle.
Waller-bridge, who created, wrote and starred in Fleabag, is understood to have been specifically requested by Craig to bring her wit and quirkiness to the screenplay.
Captain Marvel star and Londoner L ash an a Lynch and Game Night actor Billy Magnussen were also revealed as additions yesterday at an official film announcement held in Jamaica – a nod to the location used in the very first Bond film in 1962, Dr No.
Malekh as joined the cast of Bond 25 as 007’ sn em es is, crowning a stratospheric four-year rise from supporting actor to Hollywood star.
The US actor was born in Los Angeles to Egyptian immigrant parents and studied theatre at the University of Evansvillein Indiana.
After graduating in 2004 he sought success in Hollywood, but found himself delivering pizza and making falafel sandwiches to make ends meet.
More than a decade after leaving drama school, Malek found a break in computerhacker drama Mr Robot.
He subsequently landed the lead role in the Queen biopic, earning him a Golden Globe, a Bafta and an Oscar. He is the first actor of Egyptian heritage to win the Academy Award for best actor. Producer Barbara Broccoli hailed Malek as “sensational”.
She said: “I’ve been a big fan of his for many years ... he’s extraordinary. And I think the character we’ve created, he’s the perfect fit.”
The film mogul would not confirm Malek’s villain sta - tus, but said: “He is going to be challenging Bond, let’s put it that way.”
Helming the film is direc - tor Cary Joji Fukunaga, who is best known for writing, directing and co-producing 2015 film Beasts Of No Nation. He is the first American director to helm an official Bond film.
Fukunaga replaced Trainspotting director Danny Boyle, who stepped away from the project last year following “creative differences”. He has since admitted the decision was due to a script dispute. Craig, who lives in New York with his wife Rachel Weisz, is a fan of Fleabag, with WallerBridge believed to have met him in New York before signing on.
Broccoli said :“Daniel suggested Phoebe, who we all love, so we leapt at the opportunity and she’s been amazing, doing great work.”
Returning cast members include Ralph Fi en nes,B en W hi shaw, Rory Kin near, Naomi eH arr is and Jeffrey Wright. The plot will intro - duceaBo nd“who has left active service and is enjoying a tranquil life in Jamaica”.
The production will be based in the UK’S Pinewood Studios, with additional filming locations including Italy.