James Bond bosses are reportedly thinking about delaying the next movie in a bid to keep Daniel Craig.



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The 47-year-old actor looks set to step down as 007 after four movies as the suave spy to star in 20-part TV series Purity, but executives at MGM, who produce the franchise, are thought to be prepared to push back the 25th Bond installment to keep him.

A source told The Sun: “Daniel has not told anyone yet if he will return definitively.

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"They know he wants to do Purity and had hoped to get the new film in cinemas next year, but they have vowed to push it back a year to help make his schedule easier.”

Craig is said to have brought in “$2 billion” to the franchise during his time as Bond - which has seen him star in movies Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, Skyfall and last year’s Spectre - so MGM are keen to keep him in the role.

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The source added: “Daniel leaving the franchise at this moment is something MGM cannot stomach.

"He is a major draw and a key player in terms of raising money for the films. As Bond he has brought in $2billion.”

Pre-production on the next Bond movie is due to begin in the next few weeks, while Daniel is expected to begin shooting Purity - which will be an adaptation of Jonathan Franzen’s novel of the same name - later this year.