Bond 26: Steven Knight Teases a 007 Reinvention

Alright, so let's talk James Bond. If it feels like it's been ages since we last saw 007 mixing tuxedos, gadgets, and questionable hiring practices on the big screen, that's because it actually has. We're now five years deep into the post-No Time to Die radio silence, and honestly, the MI6 update line is still just playing smooth jazz. But, thanks to a few recent slip-ups from Bond 26 screenwriter Steven Knight—who apparently can't do the usual double-O secrecy while promoting something else—we finally got some actual (if vague) updates.

Steven Knight: Not Great at Keeping Secrets (Thankfully)

Knight, who you probably know as the mind behind Peaky Blinders, has found himself fielding spy-level questions during every interview for his movie spin-off, Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man. Naturally, people would rather ask him about martinis and Martinis than the Peaky hats. So where are things at with his bond script? Well, here's where it gets a little ridiculous.

According to Knight, 'I mean, I can't give any details, obviously. But I'm loving it. It's so much fun.' Not exactly the exposé fans are craving, but hey, at least it means he's enjoying himself over there. Pushed on whether we should brace for news soon, Knight waffled: 'Depends on what you mean by "soon," but yeah. I mean, things are moving along quite nicely.' I'm not exactly calling my tailor, is what I'm saying.

From Shelby to Shaken, Not Stirred: Knight Talks Fleming

If you want specifics—well, Knight refuses to drop any. But he did open up about how he's getting into the Ian Fleming zone. In a chat with BBC Radio 4, Knight talked about finally diving deep into the classic Bond novels for inspiration. Turns out, he's got a lot of respect for the literary OG version of Bond.

Knight's take? If you haven't read Fleming, you're missing out. The books are apparently 'so underrated as literature,' and he loves the strange mix of real-world grit and dreamlike style. He especially likes the way Fleming writes dialogue—so if you've ever wished for Bond quips to sound a little less written-by-committee, maybe this is good news.

Knight also implied he's got 'a very particular way I want, you know, I want this to go,' and he's working 'with fantastic people, the best people.' Translation: not even a hint of what the script will actually be about, or what sort of Bond we're getting. When asked if his 007 would be as scrappy and street-level as Peaky Blinders, he stuck to Bond-level secrecy: 'We'll see, we'll see. You don't know what's going to happen until you start writing.'

What We Actually Know: The Key Players

• Steven Knight: Writing the script. Loves Fleming. Saying a lot, revealing nothing.
• Denis Villeneuve: Directing. If you liked Dune and the idea of Bond lost in a desert (emotionally or literally), you should be excited—he's helming the eagerly awaited Dune: Part Three too, so you know he's busy but very much in-demand.
• A new Bond? Not a single word yet—seriously, not even a rumor that anyone will even be cast anytime soon.
• Extra: Young Bond Audioseries: There's an audio adaptation of the Young James Bond books arriving in September, if you want to picture what Bond was like before someone issued him an expense account and a Walther PPK.

The Bottom Line (Because That's All They're Giving Us)

So, is there a Bond movie on the actual horizon? Short answer: yes, eventually—probably. We do know the script is cooking and we finally have big, competent names running the show. But as for title, cast, plot, or a release date? The only people who know are MI6…and they're not skipping the nondisclosure clause. Hang tight, Bond fans.