After killing off James Bond, Fleabag star Phoebe Waller-Bridge is the first choice to direct the next 007 movie.
She helped ‘wake up’ James Bond and then killed him. But now it looks like Phoebe Waller-Bridge may be responsible for 007’s resurrection, as the director of the next Bond movie.
The Mail on Sunday has learned that the Fleabag star, who helped write the screenplay for No Time To Die, the 2021 film in which Daniel Craig’s Bond sacrificed himself to save his loved ones, has been on ” initial talks” with Bond producer Barbara Broccoli. .
Ms Broccoli, whose Eon Productions owns the rights to 007, has called Ms Waller-Bridge, 37, her number one choice to direct the franchise’s 26th film.
A source said: “Phoebe was brought in by Daniel Craig to work on No Time To Die, and she added humor and pathos to the film.” Everyone loved working with her.
“It’s very early days, but Barbara has been quite open in saying that Phoebe would be her first choice to direct and co-write the next film.
The Mail on Sunday has learned that Fleabag star Phoebe Waller-Bridge (pictured last month) has been in “initial talks” with Bond producer Barbara Broccoli.
A source said: “Phoebe was brought in by Daniel Craig to work on No Time To Die, and she added humor and pathos to the film.” Everyone loved working with her.
“Barbara thinks Phoebe is extremely talented and brings a new, modern version of Bond. They’ve already had very early talks, but there are many variables in the equation, including Phoebe’s increasingly hectic schedule.
Ms. Waller-Bridge is about to hit the big screen as Helena, the feisty goddaughter of Harrison Ford, in the fifth and final Indiana Jones film, Indiana Jones And The Dial Of Destiny, which will premiere at the Festival of Cannes Cinema next month and is already set to be the biggest blockbuster of the summer.
He is also writing a script for a new Tomb Raider TV series for the Amazon streaming service, as well as starring in the fantasy comedy If, with Ryan Reynolds and Steve Carrell, set for a 2024 release.
The source said: ‘Phoebe is a workaholic and her schedule is packed. But the next Bond won’t go into production until next year and it won’t be released until 2025, so everyone is hoping she can get it on her schedule.
Meanwhile, rumors abound as to who will replace Craig as Bond. Fan favorite Idris Elba recently wrote himself off as “too old.” But other names in the draw include Tom Hardy, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Regé-Jean Page.
Ms Broccoli insists Craig’s replacement has yet to be chosen, but has said she has a clear vision for the next 007: “He can be any color, but he’s male.” You think of him as being from Britain or the Commonwealth, but Britain is a very diverse place. We’re reinventing who he is, and that takes time.’
Ms Broccoli insists Craig’s replacement has yet to be chosen, but has said she has a clear vision for the next 007. Pictured: Daniel Craig and Ana de Armas in No Time To Die