For the 25th official installment of the James Bond franchise, fans expect something special. Fortunately, the next movie, which is currently known as "Bond 25," should be a treat. Not only is Daniel Craig planning to finish out his run as 007 with a bang, but the series also has a newly cemented Oscar winner set to play the movie’s villain.

Rami Malek, who has been garnering awards all season for his lead performance as Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody, is in final negotiations for the Bond baddie, according to Variety. Other updated details, including another new release date, additional casting possibilities and the current working title, can be found below in our guide to everything we know about Bond 25.

What is the movie called?

There’s been no official announcement of the title of Bond 25, but according to Production Weekly, the working title for the production is Shatterhand. What’s that mean? Well, any James Bond fan knows, of course, that Dr. Guntram Shatterhand was an alias used by iconic villain Blofeld.

Who is directing the movie?

Cary Fukunaga, who has done great work with the acclaimed movies Sin Nombre, Jane Eyre and the Netflix Original Beasts of No Nation, as well as the first season of the TV series True Detective, will be at the helm. He also co-wrote the Stephen King adaptation It (which he was once set to direct) and recently returned to Netflix for part of the new series Maniac, as well. 

“We are delighted to be working with Cary. His versatility and innovation make him an excellent choice for our next James Bond adventure," said Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli. (2/2)

— James Bond (@007) September 20, 2018

 

Is Fukunaga the first American director of a James Bond movie?

If we don't count two of the directors (John Huston of the comedy version of Casino Royale or Never Say Never helmer Irvin Kershner, which weren't official EON productions), then yes, Fukunaga is the first American director for the franchise. He is also only the second person of color filmmaker, following Die Another Day helmer Lee Tamahori, who is of Maori descent. 

Does the movie also have new writers?

While Boyle's Bond movie was to have a script by himself and regular co-writer John Hodge, those plans went out with the filmmaker. Now EON is going back to Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, who've worked on every Bond movie screenplay since 1999's The World Is Not Enough. They had initially turned in a draft for Bond 25 before Boyle took over, and that's presumably being resurrected and/or retooled. 

Will this really be Daniel Craig's last outing as 007?

Yes. For a while, it wasn't clear if Craig would even return for another installment of the Bond franchise, but last year he confirmed he'd don the tuxedo one last time. Of the possible exit after #25, he said, "I think this is it. I just want to go out on a high note." 

Is anyone else cast in Bond 25?

Reportedly, some of Daniel Craig’s former co-stars in the Bond movies will be reprising their roles. Namely, those returning actors are Lea Seydoux, Ralph Fiennes and Naomie Harris, as Madeleine, M, and Moneypenny, respectively. No word yet on if Ben Whishaw will be back as Q. Previously, we'd learned that Christoph Waltz would not be returning as Blofeld from Spectre.

There will likely be two other female characters, one of them another MI6 agent and the other an accomplice to the villain. That villain, meanwhile, could be played by recently crowned Oscar winner Rami Malek, who is in negotiations to bring his Bohemian Rhapsody swagger in opposition against 007. Billy Magnussen is also said to possibly be playing an American CIA operative.

Who is performing the Bond song this time around?

In the past, we heard a rumor that Beyonce would record a song for the next movie, but that's not confirmed and it'll likely be a while before we know even the title, let alone the theme song choice. 

When does the next James Bond movie come out?

Bond 25 will begin shooting this Spring and is now scheduled to hit theaters on April 8, 2020. As diehard fans know, this is the same date, 56 years later, of the US premiere of From Russia with Love.

This release date also marks four and a half years since the last installment, Spectre, and the first time in 31 years (since The Living Daylights) that a Bond movie doesn't come out in the fall.