Bond 25: Lupita Nyong'o tipped as top choice to star opposite Daniel Craig

Bohemian Rhapsody star Rami Malek is wanted for the villain role

Days after reports stated who Bond producers would like to cast as the next film’s villain, it’s now been revealed which actor they’d like to be its female lead.

Producers were reportedly hoping to lock down 12 Years a Slave Oscar-winner Lupita Nyong’o as the next Bond girl, but her team have since told Deadline the project wouldn’t work with her schedule.

Last week, the working title of Bond 25 was confirmed to be Shatterhand.

According to a listing in Production Weekly, the film’s shoot will begin on 6 April in London’s Pinewood Studios before heading to Matera in Italy.

The film’s journey so far has been a tumultuous one. In September 2018, Fukunaga replaced Danny Boyle as director and re-wrote his script, which had reportedly ruffled up feathers with producers.

While obviously hesitant to reveal any details, Fukunaga has confirmed one rather big point: the new film will bring things full circle for Craig by continuing the arc first presented in Craig’s first Bond film, Casino Royale.

Nyong’o, who also appears in Star Wars, will next be seen in Jordan Peele’s horror film, Us – check out the terrifying trailer here.