The Spectre premiere is still nearly two months away (unless you’re reading this at Greenwich Mean Time), but one of its related mysteries has already been solved. Speculation abounded this summer as to who would sing the movie’s theme song, with Sam Smith declared an early favorite. Well, give that pair of James Bond song anthologists a cigar (or something else they’d like) because Smith has just been confirmed as the latest crooner for the franchise.
In a joint press release issued Tuesday morning, EON Productions, MGM, and Sony Pictures announced that Smith has already recorded the latest Bond theme, called “The Writing’s On The Wall.” The song will be released by Capitol Records and will be available for streaming and purchase on September 26. Smith co-wrote the song with Jimmy Napes; the two previously worked together on Smith’s award-winning debut “In The Lonely Hour.” The announcement marks the first time in 50 years that a British male solo artist has recorded a Bond song (remember, “A View To A Kill” was a group effort).
Spectre producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli are thrilled with Smith’s contribution to the Bond musical oeuvre, calling it an “inspirational song…with [an] extraordinary vocal performance.” For his part, Smith has said recording the song is one of the highlights of his career:
I am so excited to be a part of this iconic British legacy and join an incredible line up of some of my biggest musical inspirations. I hope you all enjoy the song as much as I enjoyed making it.”
Of course, we don’t yet know how Smith’s song title will play into the latest Bond film—the expression should be easier to work into the dialogue than “Skyfall,” but not maybe not as easy as “Nobody Does It Better.” Perhaps Smith will have a cameo as a Mexican waiter who hums the tune while Bond tracks down the sender of the cryptic message which kicks off the events of the film. Or maybe new Bond girl Monica Bellucci will provide the song and film’s title along with some clunky metaphors in a restaurant restroom.
Spectre, which hits U.S. theaters on November 6, is set in the Skyfall aftermath, with Bond chasing ghosts from his past and Ralph Fiennes’ new M dealing with political pressures about MI6’s future. The film sees the possible return of prodigal Bond antagonists SPECTRE, a deadly organization that’s been MIA from the franchise for decades due to—what else?—a rights dispute.