James Bond 25: Spy stalwarts Léa Seydoux, Ralph Fiennes, Ben Whishaw and Naomie Harris to return

Director Cary Joji Fukunaga has confirmed the actors are to return for the next Bond film

The next James Bond movie will feature several familiar faces.

Léa Seydoux, Ralph Fiennes, Ben Whishaw and Naomie Harris are all set to return to the franchise in the next instalment of the suave spy's adventures, currently known as Bond 25.

Director Cary Joji Fukunaga told the Daily Mail that Seydoux "will be returning" before confirming that Fiennes, Whishaw, and Harris are also slated to appear in the upcoming film.

"You have some of the best actors in the world here," he added. "Why wouldn't I have the best coming back?"

Seydoux played Dr Madeleine Swann in Spectre, the most recent Bond film, which was released in 2015.

Fiennes has starred as M since 2012 in Skyfall and again in Spectre. Whishaw stepped in as Q for those same two films, which also saw Harris make her debut as Eve Moneypenny.

It was announced in September this year that Fukunaga would replace Danny Boyle as director of the next Bond movie. Producers said Boyle left due to creative differences.

Fukunaga is the first American filmmaker ever to direct a Bond movie.

The release date of the film has been pushed from November 2019 to 14 February 2020.

Léa Seydoux attends 'Kursk' Paris Premiere at La Cite Du Cinema on 25 October, 2018 in Saint-Denis, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images) ((Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images))

Filming is scheduled to begin on 4 March, 2019 at London’s Pinewood Studios.

Daniel Craig will reprise his role as Bond for the fifth time, in what could be his last performance as the spy.