New James Bond film delayed as Daniel Craig double-books to star in another film that starts production in November
DANIEL CRAIG’s licence to thrill is even more in demand than James Bond’s licence to kill.
The busy actor seems to have shot down any hope of the next 007 film being hauled back on track in time for a 2019 release — by signing up for a new movie role.
He will play the lead in a murder mystery which starts production in November, just a month before the latest Bond adventure was locked down for filming.
The star has set up a deal in the last fortnight for the role in Knives Out, written and directed by Star Wars’ Rian Johnson.
The new dad, who just welcomed his first child with actress Rachel Weisz, will play a lead detective in Knives Out, which is inspired by Agatha Christie thrillers.
A source said: “Daniel is obviously already looking beyond Bond, and taking this gig makes it clear nobody expects to get things back on track anytime soon. It was supposed to start shooting very soon, but that’s now impossible.”
It’s reported Johnson offered him the role after he learned of “a small window” in the actor’s schedule. But it marks more chaos for Bond following the departures of director Danny Boyle and writer John Hodge over “creative differences.”
Film studios MGM and Universal were hoping the Bond 25 project could be salvaged after its setbacks.
But while the studios and production company Eon have not confirmed the flick will be delayed, Daniel’s deal will make it incredibly tough for the film to make its planned November 2019 release date.
Knives Out’s Johnson said: “I have been a huge fan of Daniel and always wanted to work with him and as I worked on the script, trying to get it right, the co-producer and I were wringing our hands over who could be the detective.
Daniel Craig will star in a murder mystery film
Then we heard Daniel might have a small window, and it worked out.
“He’s an actor of extraordinary range and we are looking forward to collaborating with Daniel.”
Knives Out was written by the director this summer, and only came together in the last two weeks.
Johnson wrote and directed 2017’s Star Wars: The Last Jedi, which made over a billion dollars, and is working on a new trilogy of the saga for Disney.
Daniel will probably hope Knives Out is as big a money-spinnner.
READ ON FOR MORE SIMON BOYLE'S BIZARRE COLUMN
Grande to see you back
IT cannot be at all easy for Ariana Grande. But just over 15 months on from the terrorist bombing at her Manchester Arena concert, the US star has bounced back to her very best.
Staging her first UK performance since the One Love Manchester benefit concert last summer, she raced through 20 tracks in an intimate concert at London’s Koko set up by Capital Radio for Ariana superfans.
As well as tunes from No1 album Sweetener, she sang acapella renditions of songs from her back catalogue which were suggested by the crowd.
You can watch highlights at
But when 2014 album track Why Try was suggested, Ariana called out to the crowd: “Why does everyone love that song? It is so boring. This just shows how much I love you, guys – this song puts me to sleep.”
Breathin, a track she penned about the anxiety attacks she has suffered, made a big impact.
So, too, did comeback single No Tears Left To Cry.
A decade into her career, talented Ariana’s career is going from strength to strength.
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FLORENCE + THE MACHINE, Novelist, Jorja Smith, King Krule and Everything Everything are among nominees for the Hyundai Mercury Prize confirmed to play at the ceremony in London on September 20.
Insta-glam
THEY may look happy sitting pretty, but Little Mix have told their fans to Wait On It for new music.
bizbit
BEN AFFLECK briefly left rehab to return to his home to work out on Wednesday. The troubled actor, being treated for alcoholism, was allowed out of the LA clinic as part of his programme – only on the condition his sobriety coach joined him.
Kristin's call up
KRISTIN SCOTT THOMAS has been drafted for new film Military Wives.
The five-time Bafta nominee whose pilot dad died in Royal Navy service – will star with Irish actress Sharon Horgan in the movie about a band of women who form a choir on an Army base, it was announced on Wednesday.
It’s a spin-off of the Beeb docu about the real-life Military Wives choir who performed for the Queen at the Royal Albert Hall on Remembrance Day 2011. They began singing to overcome their fears for husbands in combat.
The film, by London and LA-based company 42, is written by Rosanna Flynn and Rachel Tunnard and directed by Peter Cattaneo.
bizbit
KIM KARDASHIAN met Donald Trump again on Wednesday to try to free US man Chris Young, who got life in jail in 2010 for drug possession. Kim previously helped free American Alice Johnson, also jailed for a non- violent drug offence.
Si praises troubled Mel B's 'total focus'
SIMON COWELL has insisted that Mel B’s divorce drama won’t impact her work life as a judge on America’s Got Talent.
Speaking on the set of the US show on Tuesday, he praised the troubled ex-Spice Girl for her professional behaviour as her personal life spirals downwards.
Simon, who has stood by the singer since she filed for divorce from Stephen Belafonte 18 months ago, said: “When you go through this job for a living and crazy, crazy things happen around you all the time . . . one thing about Mel is that she comes on this show with total focus.
“She isn’t complaining or moaning, she is all about the talent – that is all she talks about. Not herself, and that is hard.
“So I give her a few nods for that.” Simon gave his backing as Mel returned to AGT for the semi-finals, hours after a judge told her she faces random alcohol and drug testing for the next four months, after a former child carer claimed she had drink and cocaine problems.
Mel’s TV co-star Howie Mandel said he and the other AGT judges all backed her, adding: “We love and respect each other and we love and respect Mel B.
“We’re proud of her and we’ll be there for her, whatever she needs.”
Mel revealed she plans to go to rehab for post-traumatic stress disorder due to her marital woes. It follows her confession that she used booze to cope with problems that resurfaced while writing her upcoming memoir.
She will be desperate to close this chapter.
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CHER has just starred in Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again and recorded an album of ABBA covers, but she has admitted: “I wasn’t a big fan of Abba in the Seventies. Benny Andersson took the girls and used them like instruments.” Ouch!
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- JACK BLACK’s comedy rock group Tenacious D have completed their first album in six years. Jack and bandmate Kyle Gass are joined by Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl on drums for their 21-track record Post-Apocalypto, out November 2. A YouTube series of the same name will debut on September 28.
- VETERAN singer-songwriter Barry Manilow has been awarded an honorary fellowship from the Royal Northern College of Music. He received the accolade while performing in Manchester, where he quipped to the audience: “You know what they say, that giving is better than receiving – but not tonight.”
- AUDIO from Queen's iconic performance at 1985’s Live Aid is being released for the first time as part of the soundtrack for the band’s biopic Bohemian Rhapsody. The album, out October 19, includes live versions of the title track, Radio Ga Ga and We Are The Champions as well as new versions of old favourites.
- ED SHEERAN will perform an acoustic set at the first Music 4 Mental Health event at London’s Roundhouse on November 18. James Arthur, Anne-Marie, Elle Eyre and Olly Murs will also play at the gig organised by campaign group #IAMWHOLE. Tickets go on sale tomorrow through whole.org.uk.