Daniel Craig and Barbara Broccoli reportedly making progress on a new film project – but it’s not Bond 26.
Daniel Craig in No Time to Die © 2019 DANJAQ, LLC AND MGM. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Photo: Nicola Dove
Back in June, we reported that Daniel Craig and Bond producer Barbara Broccoli were in talks with Qatari investors to secure funding for a film adaptation of Othello, a project Craig has been passionate about for years. This adaptation, which reimagines Shakespeare’s classic tragedy in the setting of an American barracks during the Iraq War, now seems closer to becoming a reality.
According to a recent report from World of Reel, Craig is set to star in this modern take on Othello, reprising the role he played in a highly praised off-Broadway production in 2016. The report suggests that Craig and Broccoli have been working diligently over the past two years to get this project off the ground, and their search for financing has led them to Qatari investors.
A British filing by Broccoli’s Eon Productions, which lists a new entity called Othello Film Company Limited, adds credibility to these claims. The registration of this company indicates that the project is moving forward, with Broccoli serving as the director of the newly formed entity.
While World of Reel has been unreliable in its reporting on Bond 26-related news, the Companies House listing seems to corroborate their claims in this instance. Bond fans and Shakespeare enthusiasts alike will no doubt be keeping a close eye on this project as it develops.
They also mention rumours that as part of the deal with the Qatari investors, Broccoli may have agreed to include a sequence in the next Bond film set in Doha, Qatar’s capital. While this remains unconfirmed, it would not be the first time a Bond film has used a location as a negotiation chip for another project. They also mention that Sam Gold, who directed the 2016 off-Broadway production, is reportedly attached to direct the film adaptation and that production could begin as early as next year. Keep in mind World of Reel ‘s past record on Bond 26 reporting though.
Barbara Broccoli dedicating time and resources to Daniel Craig’s Othello project could potentially delay the development of Bond 26. As one of the key decision-makers behind the Bond franchise, Broccoli’s focus on Othello might mean that work on the next Bond film takes a backseat for now. This could extend the timeline for hiring a director, finalizing the script, casting the new Bond, and beginning production. Fans eager for the next instalment might need to exercise patience, as Broccoli’s commitment to bringing Othello to the screen could push the release of Bond 26 further into the future than initially anticipated.
