James Bond set to return - but who will play him?

James Bond is set to return to the big screen for the 25th time in November 2019, and reports suggest Daniel Craig may reprise the role.

According to the New York Times, sources "briefed on the matter" have confirmed the actor's return as 007, while producers say it is too early to confirm cast and director.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer announced on Monday the next instalment will arrive in cinemas in 2019, scripted by long-standing Bond writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade.

Purvis and Wade started in 1999's The World Is Not Enough and penned the last six Bond films.

In a statement, the company also confirmed Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli will return as producers. They have been associated with the franchise since the 1970s.

"James Bond will return to US cinemas on November 8, 2019 with a traditional earlier release in the UK and the rest of the world," the film's official Twitter account posted on Monday.

Hardy is one of the biggest names on the list to succeed Craig

The announcement comes amid rumours that Craig would not be playing Bond again, after he famously told Time Out magazine he would "rather slash my wrists" than do it again.

He later excused his comments, saying he has "the best job in the world", and "will keep doing it as long as I still get a kick out of it".

Meanwhile actors like Idris Elba, Tom Hardy and Tom Hiddleston have all said they would be honoured to succeed Craig as the film world's most famous spy.

If Daniel Craig does return as Bond, it will be the fifth time he has played the role.

His last 007 film, Spectre, was released in 2015 and took more than £95m at the UK box-office - making it the third most successful film of all time in Britain.

2012's Skyfall, which took £103m, is Britain's second biggest grossing film ever.

(SKYNEWS)