Fleabag creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge CONFIRMED as co-writer of Bond 25

Phoebe Waller-Bridge, creator and star of the acclaimed BBC comedy Fleabag and also the writer of Killing Eve, has been officially confirmed as one of the scribes of the latest James Bond film.

It was reported that she had flown to New York earlier this year to meet 007 star Daniel Craig before agreeing to work on the script for the 25th movie in the spy franchise.

And on Thursday, at a press event announcing details of the next film, it was revealed that the screenplay will be penned by Waller-Bridge, 33, as well as Neal Purvis & Robert Wade, Scott Z. Burns with [the film's director] Cary Joji Fukunaga also contributing.

A source previously said: ‘Phoebe is the hottest young writer in the UK and Hollywood at the moment. Everyone wants her. She’s a natural choice for Bond. She flew to New York and met Daniel and they immediately hit it off. He thinks she’s a genius.

‘Her dialogue is sharp and brilliant. It’s young, it’s fun and it is all about female empowerment. This will be a very modern Bond for the MeToo era.’

Fans of the writer were thrilled by the news, flocking to Twitter to hail the decision to enlist her on the project.

'Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Cary Joji Funaga being involved in the next Bond make it potentially the best one,' one person tweeted.

A second wrote: 'Huh. Phoebe Waller-Bridge writing the new James Bond. Does this mean I'll finally have to watch a James Bond film?'

'Here's hoping, with Phoebe Waller Bridge on the writing team the new Bond is deliciously dark and funny like her other programmes. I'd actually watch it then,' someone else tweeted.

A fourth penned: 'Phoebe Waller-Bridge is the most exciting part of this announcement!'

'#Phoebewallerbridge you Queen,' another fan gushed.

Another called for a Killing Eve crossing: 'With Phoebe Waller-Bridge writing for #Bond25 I'm going to be really disappointed if Villanelle doesn't make an appearance!'

Waller-Bridge already boasts a BAFTA for her performance in Fleabag, the second series of which recently finished to universal acclaim. Her adaptation of Killing Eve helped to make the thriller a huge hit both in Britain and the US last year.

She has also had a part in the Star Wars series, as an android in Solo: A Star Wars Story.

Oscar winner Rami Malek is taking on the role of the suave Secret Service agent's latest nemesis, as announced by producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson on Thursday.

Bohemian Rhapsody star Rami, 37, promised he 'won't give Mr Bond an easy ride' in the explosive next chapter of the franchise, as he appeared live via videolink during a cast Q&A at Goldeneye - Ian Fleming's estate on Oracabessa bay on the northern coastline of Jamaica. 

Speaking via videolink from New York City, Rami, 37, said: 'Hi everyone, this is Rami Malek and I’m not jealous one bit that you’re all in the absolutely stunning setting of Ian Fleming’s iconic Caribbean home Goldeneye, on the island of Jamaica. 

'No, not at all. I’m stuck here in New York in production, but I am very much looking forward to joining the whole cast and crew so very soon. I promise you all I will be making sure Mr. Bond does not have an easy ride of it in this, his 25th outing. I can’t wait to see you all soon. Cheers.'  

Also joining the cast are Dali Benssalah, Lashana Lynch, Ana De Armas, David Dencik and Billy Magnussen.   

Newest Bond Girl Ana, 30,  first made her Hollywood debut in 2015's Knock Knock alongside Keanu Reeves, and a quick look at her Instagram platform shows her love for uploading bikini and nearly nude snaps from idyllic locations around the world.

Born in Santa Cruz del Norte, Ana attended the National Theatre School of Cuba at the age of 12, and made her acting debut in 2006's Spanish film, Una rosa de Francia. 

Ana made the successful crossover to Hollywood in 2015 alongside Keanu in Knock Knock and then went on to work with Ryan Gosling and Robin Wright in 2017's Blade Runner 2049.

This will mark Ana's breakthrough Hollywood role and interestingly enough, she has already worked with Daniel Craig on the crime drama Knives Out, which is set for release in November of this year.    

She is starring alongside Lily James, Ed Sheeran and Kate McKinnon in the Danny Boyle comedy Yesterday (June 2019 release).   Ana is also working with Penelope Cruz in the thriller Wasp Network, set for release next year.   

Second new Bond Girl Lashana, 31, is a British actress who this year appeared in blockbuster, Captain Marvel.

Speaking about being of Jamaican descent during the cast Q&A at Goldeneye from the Caribbean island, the Hammersmith-born star gushed about her happiness to 'coincide [her] heritage and [her] work' for the spy thriller.

Lashana explained: 'I feel really happy because my family are from here so it feels really nice to coincide your heritage and your work at the same time and also work with an amazing cast.'

The actress first appeared on screens with a role as Precious Miller in The Bill, and she went on to play in an array of other iconic British dramas including Silent Witness, Death In Paradise and Doctors.

She made her film debut in Fast Girls opposite Lily James, before going on to make an appearance in 2016 crime drama Brotherhood as Ashanti.

Following these, Lashana landed a lead role in the American period drama Still Star-Crossed as Rosaline Capulet, while she also had a recurring role in Bulletproof as the wife of detective Ronnie Pike Jr (Ashley Walters).

Lashana has been enjoying an exhilirating 2019, as she appeared in Captain Marvel as fighter pilot Maria Rambeau, who is the best friend of Brie Larson's Carol Danvers who comes to her aid when she needs it most.

The actress had replaced DeWanda Wise in the role, and she delighted viewers with her chemistry with Brie, as well as her loving bond to her on-screen daughter Monica, played by Akira Akbar.

Ralph Fiennes (M), Léa Seydoux (Dr Madeleine Swann), Naomie Harris (Eve Moneypenny), Ben

read more from dailymail.....