Shatterhand: ‘Working title’ for Craig’s final Bond film raises eyebrows

The next James Bond film – the final instalment to star Daniel Craig – has been given the working title of Shatterhand, according to reports.

Entertainment industry magazine Production Weekly claims that the 25th entry in the long-running franchise is being referred to by that name behind-the-scenes, with filming set to begin next month.

True Detective director Cary Joji Fukunaga is at the helm after the departure of Danny Boyle last year, with release planned for April 2020.

While some have ridiculed the reported working title on social media, Bond aficionados have been quick to point out that Shatterhand is in fact a reference to the original Ian Fleming novels.

The evil Ernst Stavro Blofeld – the arch-nemesis of 007 – used the alias Dr Guntrum Shatterhand in You Only Live Twice, which follows Bond to Japan.

Sean Connery starred in the film adaptation in 1967 and – whether or not Shatterhand ends up being the final name – the reported working title appears to hint that Craig could follow in his footsteps.

But the plots will have to diverge somewhat.

While You Only Live Twice marked the on-screen debut of Blofeld, his current incarnation – played by Christoph Waltz – made his first appearance in Spectre in 2015.

Waltz – nor any other cast members from Spectre besides Craig – have been confirmed to return for the next film.

Craig previously stated that he would rather “slash my wrists” than return to the role of Bond, but later said that he made the remarks two days after he had finished shooting Spectre – and was exhausted.

Creative differences between him and Boyle were said to be part of the reason behind the eventual hiring of Fukunaga, who is the first American to direct a Bond film.

Filming is scheduled to begin at Pinewood Studios on 4 March.

(c) Sky News 2019: Shatterhand: ‘Working title’ for Craig’s final Bond film raises eyebrows