THE countdown to the next James Bond movie is on.
I can reveal the franchise’s 26th film will go into production next April at Pinewood Studios, Bucks — and the plot, written by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight, will involve the dangers of AI.
There is currently no sign of a new 007, but I can reveal one actor who definitely will not be taking the role is popular choice Tom Holland.
The Brit actor has it written into his Spider-Man Marvel contract that he is barred from pursuing any other parts that will overshadow that one.
My insider tells me: “Tom can’t play two superheroes, it just won’t happen.”
Meanwhile, Canadian Denis Villeneuve, who has been chosen to direct his first Bond movie, is determined for the part of 007 to be taken by an unknown Brit and is putting out feelers.
Englishman Daniel Craig is a Bond legend after fronting the last five 007 films, from 2006’s Casino Royale to the most recent, 2021’s No Time To Die — and producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson know the franchise can’t afford to get the choice of his successor wrong.
My mole added: “This is the first Bond of the AI era and the plot is going to reflect that. Writers are going to have some fun.
‘Classic swagger’
“This next Bond movie has to feel bold, fresh and relevant — especially after such a long break.
“There’s a sense of cautious excitement behind the scenes. They want to modernise Bond without losing that classic swagger — and that’s a tricky balance.
“Denis isn’t coming in to make a safe Bond film — he’s coming in to redefine what Bond can be. Think scale, style and substance.”
Actors in the mix to play the secret agent include Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Anthony Boyle, Theo James and Jack Lowden.
We’ll have to wait Another Day . . .
CHESNEY: MY LAD IS NO NEPO BABY
CHESNEY HAWKES has slammed suggestions that his son is a “nepo baby”.
The singer said his lad Indi, who is his dad’s lead guitarist, was born to be a musician.
Asked about claims Indi has been a success in music because of his dad’s fame, Chesney said: “I don’t really care what people say about that.
“You know, I have had the same thing, I guess.”
Chesney’s dad Len ‘Chip’ Hawkea was a member of the 1960s band The Tremeloes.
Speaking to Biz on Sunday, he said: “My father was in the industry, too.
“Of course, there is always going to be negative thoughts from some people – ‘Oh, you know, he has made it because his dad is this, or whatever’.
“The truth is, if you don’t have the talent or passion, then you’re not going to make it anyway – so it doesn’t really matter who your dad is.
“He’s just a natural musician. He might get a little bit of stick for it [the nepo claims] but he is a strong personality. He will just tell them it’s not true, simple as that.
“I told him it is tough and all of that kind of stuff, but I can see myself in him when I was that age.
“I couldn’t deny it for him because this is his life’s purpose.”
Meanwhile, Chesney has partnered with supermarket Waitrose and DJ Sigala for a remix of his Nineties single The One And Only. But Chesney said he cannot listen to his 1991 hit on the radio.
He said: “I would normally turn it off – not because I don’t like it. I just think there are a finite amount of times you can hear one song.
“Because I have to hear it a lot when I am playing and everything else, I have heard it enough on the radio.
“Maybe I will listen to see what ZOE BALL has to say about me, but apart from that . . . ”
Chesney is set to go on the road with his Smash It To Pieces tour next March.
I can’t be the only one who is looking forward to it.
IT’S ESPECIALLY FOR EWE, JASON
HE made the ladies swoon as Eighties heart-throb Scott Robinson in Neighbours, but now Aussie star Jason Donovan is heading to the Yorkshire countryside – to appear on Emmerdale.
The actor will appear as himself on the ITV soap, popping up in The Woolpack to surprise superfan Lydia Dingle, played by Karen Blick.
Especially For You singer Jason filmed his top-secret scenes on set earlier this month.
A source said: “The plot sees superfan Lydia miss her opportunity to see Jason in concert, so villagers organise for the pop star to surprise her. Everyone was really excited. It was really fun and Jason was a real pro. He enjoyed the cameo.”
It comes after Jason’s daughter JEMMA starred in Neighbours and Channel 4’s Hollyoaks.
The Emmerdale episodes will air in December, as the soap builds up to Christmas.
HOUSE OF KARDS
THE KARDASHIAN clan were out in force to celebrate the tenth anniversary of Kylie Jenner’s cosmetics brand.
Kim Kardashian flaunted her figure in a cut-away latex gown at the star-studded pop-up event in West Hollywood.
Kylie looked every inch the make-up mogul in figure-hugging pink latex, and matching dyed locks, as she was joined on the night by her young daughter Stormi.
Khloe Kardashian sparkled in a silver mini-dress and Kendall Jenner dazzled in blue, as both also posed with their momager Kris Jenner.
Celebrity pals Hailey Bieber and The 1975 frontman Matty Healy were among other guests at the bash.
RITA 2026 LOOKS A NICE GIG
RITA ORA has big plans for next year – including an album AND a tour.
Speaking on radio in Melbourne, Australia, following last month’s release of catchy single All Natural, she said: “There’s definitely an album coming.
“I’m really focused on this record and I’m coming out to tour – I haven’t toured an album since 2018.
“My career has been so interesting. I’ve done film, TV, so kind of outwards. In the new year, I’m going inwards – to clean up shop and lead with intention.”
Kosovo-born Brit Rita, who is wed to Kiwi film director Taika Waititi, added: “I’m 100 per cent going to tour Australia, then to New Zealand and then back again – it’s like my second home.”
Bring it on, Rita.
ELLIE HAS FOUND DESTINY
AFTER teasing fans with a “big” music video, I can reveal Ellie Goulding did the shoot at a top-secret location in London last week.
She is preparing to put out a single called Destiny, coming two and a half years after her last solo release.
It’s been a turbulent few years for Ellie who split from husband Caspar Jopling but is now dating actor Beau Minniera.
A source said: “Ellie is really happy and that is reflected in this new music. Fans should be able to hear the track in a few weeks.”
Ellie’s teamed up with Muse rocker Matt Bellamy, so it looks like she is going in a different direction from her regular dance sound.
I can’t wait to hear it.
FRESH START GOOD 4 U, LIV
OLIVIA RODRIGO is set to release her third album – and it seems the American hitmaker is ready for a new start when it comes to her music.
I’m told the Good 4 U singer has split with her team at Lighthouse Management And Media, Aleen Keshishian and Zack Morgenroth, after three years of being guided by them.
A source said: “Olivia has parted ways with her management as she instead sets her sights on forming her own executive team.
“She wants to take control of her brand and is hoping that this will mark a fresh chapter in her music career.”
Lighthouse Management And Media is based in Los Angeles and has showbiz big-hitters such as Jennifer Aniston, Selena Gomez and Paul Rudd on its roster.
Olivia signed with the company in 2022, after she had previously been managed by Kristen Smith of Camp Far West.
Our sister column in The Sun revealed she had split with Kristen just weeks before kicking off her debut tour, Sour, in 2022.
Olivia has had a stellar year after playing a storming headline set at Glastonbury Festival in June and completing her Guts World Tour this summer.
She bagged a No1 with her hit Drivers License – and it seems Olivia is firmly in the driving seat of her career.
MOLLY’S OVER HER CATWALKCHAOS
MOLLY-MAE HAGUE nearly pulled the plug on her L’Oreal runway debut.
The millionaire influencer had a meltdown backstage at Paris Fashion Week last month – after she believed the silver satin dress she was allocated did not suit her.
But I can also reveal that Molly-Mae wanted her own glam squad for the You’re Worth It catwalk at the city’s Hotel de Ville.
Make-up artist Hollie Flynn created the natural look, while her celebrity stylist Jack Luckhurst perfected Molly’s bouncy blow-dry.
A source said: “Molly trusts Hollie and wanted her to create the look for the runway – it was really important that she felt comfortable.
“It was a stressful time in the run-up to the catwalk, so Molly wanted to ensure that she was familiar with her glam team.”
Scenes in the Prime Video series – Behind It All – captured Molly getting ready in a hotel suite alongside her sister Zoe Rae and mum Debbie Gordon.
Speaking at a Q&A at Selfridges in London this week, Molly-Mae said: “Today is the first time we have actually laughed about it since. It has taken us about a month to get to the point where we were like, ‘Haha, that is really funny’. Up until now, it hasn’t been.”
Despite the backstage chaos, I think Molly looked flawless.
