Ralph Fiennes can't wait to train new Bond after co-star Daniel Craig steps down

Ralph Fiennes says he wants to be the boss of Bond after Daniel Craig finishes as 007.

Fiennes wants to remain as MI6 chief M after Craig, 52, retires as 007 in No Time To Die, out in October.

He became Lieutenant Colonel Gareth Mallory, known as “M”, in 2012’s Skyfall and has been in three films, with Naomie Harris playing Moneypenny.

Fiennes, 58, said: “I’m very keen to continue training the new Bond. I love playing M and I love being part of that franchise. But who knows? Things have to change.

“I love working with Daniel. He’s a terrific Bond. I will treasure that.”

MUNICH, GERMANY - JULY 01: Actor Ralph Fiennes at the CineMerit Gala for Ralph Fiennes during the Munich Film Festival at Gasteig on July 01, 2019 in Munich, Germany. British actor and director Ralph Fiennes is awarded the CineMerit prize for his great contribution to the international film industry. (Photo by Hannes Magerstaedt/Getty Images) (Getty)

Fiennes’ predecessor, Judi Dench, played M under two different Bonds, starting alongside Pierce Brosnan.

No Time To Die’s release has been delayed 18 months in the pandemic.

It also stars Lea Seydoux, Rami Malek, Lashana Lynch and Ana De Armas.

BRAND NEW TRAILER AND IMAGES DEBUT FOR NO TIME TO DIE ONLY IN CINEMAS 12th November, 2020 In No Time To Die, Bond has left active service and is enjoying a tranquil life in Jamaica. His peace is short-lived when his old friend Felix Leiter from the CIA turns up asking for help. The mission to rescue a kidnapped scientist turns out to be far more treacherous than expected, leading Bond onto the trail of a mysterious villain armed with dangerous new technology. Directed by: Cary Joji Fukunaga Screenplay by: Neal Purvis & Robert Wade and Cary Joji Fukunaga and Phoebe Waller-Bridge Story By: Neal Purvis & Robert Wade and Cary Joji Fukunaga Produced by: Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli Cast: Daniel Craig, Rami Malek, Léa Seydoux, Lashana Lynch, Ben Whishaw, Naomie Harris, with Jeffrey Wright, with Christoph Waltz and Ralph Fiennes as M. Also starring Rory Kinnear, Ana de Armas, Dali Benssalah, David Dencik, and Billy Magnussen (LLC AND MGM)

Undated handout photo issued by Danjaq, LLC/MGM of (left to right) Naomie Harris playing Moneypenny, Ralph Fiennes playing M and Rory Kinnear playing Tanner in the new Bond film No Time To Die. PA Photo. Issue date: Monday September 14, 2020. See PA story SHOWBIZ Bond. Photo credit should read: Nicola Dove/Danjaq, LLC/MGM/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder. (PA)

Bond has left active service and enjoys a quiet life in Jamaica – until CIA pal Felix Leiter (Jeffrey Wright) turns up asking for help.

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