Gamechanger: the new 007, Lashana Lynch
The plot thickens on the new James Bond film as an earlier name confirmed as part of the ensemble cast has been given historic detail. Lashana Lynch, last seen alongside Brie Larson in Captain Marvel, has been confirmed to be taking over Bond's agent alias as 007.
Fans have been calling out for a black James Bond for several years (and Idris Elba has happily indulged rumours), and while Daniel Craig is still set to play the man once more (and producer Barbara Broccoli has said there will never be a female Bond) – to pass the duties onto a new agent.
Bond has always been synonymous with his codename, 007 – but the (still untitled) new film will see Bond as a retired agent, brought back in for one more mission by the person who's taken over, which is confirmed to be Lynch's 007. The power dynamics promise long-awaited change within the franchise.
Who is directing No Time to Die?
The film made headlines as soon as Trainspotting director Danny Boyle stepped down from the position, putting the future of our agent into disarray. But it landed in the safe hands of Cary Fukunaga, best known as the mind behind the explosive first series of True Detective as well as Netflix psychedelic trip Maniac.
What can this mean for Bond's eventual fate? It's all still up in the air. But Fukunaga has a knack for drawing out visceral emotional pain from his characters, without sacrificing any ambitious action or credibility in the process. Colour us convinced for now.
James Bond cast: confirmed names for No Time To Die
Daniel Craig and Léa Seydoux (pictured) are returning from their first outing together in Spectre (credit: Freuds)
There have been rumours about him leaving, giving up, closing the door and throwing the key away – but Daniel Craig is back, allegedly for one last time. His Bond will be joined by a few familiar faces again too: Léa Seydoux is reprising her role as SPECTRE associate Madeline Swann, and the host of franchise stalwarts is back.
Ralph Fiennes as M
Ben Whishaw as Q
Naomie Harris as Eve Moneypenny
Rory Kinnear as Tanner
Jeffrey Wright as Felix Leiter
Several new names enter the Bondiverse as well, to much excitement.
Daniel Craig with Ana de Armas (credit: Freuds)
Ana de Armas broke through with a supporting role in Blade Runner 2049 and recently starred in Knives Out alongside Craig, and will be joining the cast as Paloma.
Billy Magnussen has been slowly but surely making a name for himself through a number of indie titles – but that's all due to change. His presence in Ingrid Goes West and supporting role in Maniac (his first collaboration with Fukunaga) have paved the way for his upcoming role in No Time to Die – and he recently starred in Guy Ritchie's Aladdin too.
Rami Malek has been confirmed as the almighty antagonist of No Time to Die. The specifics of his character are unclear, but the Bohemian Rhapsody and Mr. Robot actor has already boasted his versatility and capability for piercing darkness – perfect for the final chapter of this Bond era.
Phoebe Waller-Bridge: Bond is getting the Fleabag treatment
Fukanaga has often penned the scripts of his own projects, but he's enlisted a couple of helping hands for No Time to Die. Screenwriter Scott Z. Burns (The Bourne Ultimatum) is lending his skills to the project, and, much more surprisingly, the genius behind Fleabag herself, Phoebe Waller-Bridge is completing the trio. 
Phoebe Waller-Bridge in Fleabag
Is Bond going to adopt a guinea pig to confront his issues with intimacy? Will he finally turn to the audience in his time of need? Will there be a priest involved? Waller-Bridge's inclusion asks so many more questions – and raises our expectations exponentially.
No Time to Die will be released in UK cinemas on Thursday 30 September.
| What | No Time to Die: trailer, release date, plot, cast, photos |
| When |
30 Sep 21 – 30 Sep 22, IN CINEMAS |
| Price | £ determined by cinemas |
| Website | Click here for more information |
