Richard Curtis rumoured as Bond 22 writer, Purvis and Wade `out`

According to several tipsters who emailed the site, "Love Actually' writer Richard Curtis is rumoured to be writing Bond 22.

The 22nd James Bond film, which will follow "Casino Royale", has been officially announced by Eon Productions and is set for a 2nd May 2008 release date. Daniel Craig will resume 007 duties for his second film.

The intel also suggests that regular Bond scribes Neal Purvis and Robert Wade have been dropped from the project. The duo wrote "The World Is Not Enough", "Die Another Day" and the first draft of "Casino Royale" before Paul Haggis was brought on board for a 'script polish'.

Other Bond 22 news broke last week, when tipped director Roger Michell dropped out of the project due to creative differences with producers - according to Variety.

Michell and Curtis are linked by the 1999 Brit-com "Notting Hill".

About Richard Curtis
Born in New Zealand of Australian parents, brought up in several continents, and educated at Harrow and Oxford, Richard Curtis began his writing career on TV's Not the Nine O'Clock News (BBC, 1979-80, 1982), and went on to become the premier comedy screenwriter in '90s Britain. His sharp eye for middle-class mores, for the simply idiotic in human behaviour, and for the gratifications of romantic comedy have helped to account for some of the most popular British films ever, including Four Weddings and a Funeral(d. Mike Newell, 1994, Oscar and BAFTA nominations for his screenplay) and Notting Hill (UK/US, d. Roger Michell, 1999), both starring Hugh Grant, and Bean (d. Mel Smith, 1997), starring Rowan Atkinson, with whom he had worked on the '80s TV series, Blackadder (BBC, 1983-89). He directed his first film, Love, Actually in 2003, and was made a CBE in 2000. His partner is script editor/broadcaster Emma Freud.

Thanks to `Chris`, `Ian` and `George007` for the alerts.

Discuss this news here...