By The Associated Press
The interval between James Bond movies has never been more than six years in the franchise’s more than 50-year history. That might be put to the test with the upcoming entry—the first after Daniel Craig’s abrupt departure—but things are moving quickly.
Denis Villeneuve, one of the most renowned big-budget directors, will helm the 26th Bond film, according to an announcement made by Amazon MGM Studio on Wednesday. Here are the latest developments on that decision and the status of 007.
The 57-year-old French Canadian director Villeneuve defeated other filmmakers, such as Paul King (Paddington 2) and Edward Berger (Conclave), who were apparently considered for the project. Since making his debut with 2010’s Incendies, Villeneuve has made a name for himself as a guardian of film property (Blade Runner 2049, Dune) and an expert in gloomy, gloomy spectacle (Sicaro, Arrival).
According to Mike Hopkins, the head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, one of the best directors working today is behind James Bond.
The Dune movies have been Villeneuve’s pinnacle. With a combined total of 15 Academy Award nominations and seven wins, his first two films have made over $1 billion at the box office. This summer, Villeneuve is anticipated to start filming the third Dune movie, which will star Timoth e Chalamet, Florence Pugh, Zendaya, and Javier Bardem.
I’m a huge fan of James Bond. “He’s sacred territory to me,” Villeneuve added. I plan to uphold the custom while paving the way for numerous upcoming missions. This is a tremendous honor and duty, but it’s also quite thrilling for me.
Amazon, which paid $8.5 billion to acquire MGM Studios in 2022, has not yet confirmed a scriptwriter or a release date. For the first time, producers David Heyman and Amy Pascal are directing the film. Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, whose family has overseen Bond since the first movie, 1962’s Dr. No, gave Amazon MGM Studios creative authority of the series in February.
Production would most likely begin in 2026, with a release date of some time in 2027.
Even while no new 007 has been announced, speculation and rumors are still rife.
Although it’s just conjecture, oddsmakers have a few predicted candidates for the role of martini-sipper. Among them are Jack Lowden, Henry Cavill, James Norton, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Aaron Pierre, and Theo James. The new Bond is expected to stay British and male, but the producers haven’t hinted at this in any public statements.
Whoever it is will have a lot of work ahead of them. Daniel Craig was regarded by many as one of the greatest James Bonds during his five films, which spanned 15 years, including the climax of Skyfall (2012) and the farewell to No Time to Die (2021).
James Bond has been a family company ever since Albert Cubby Broccoli acquired the film rights to Ian Fleming’s novels. Amazon’s acquisition of MGM didn’t alter anything, but earlier this year, Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli consented to give the studio creative authority.
Many Bond fans were worried that 007 would be dissected for spinoffs, television shows, and the kind of intellectual property exploitation that Hollywood has been notorious for in other properties, like as Star Wars, as a result of that handoff. However, Amazon MGM has not yet announced any spinoffs and is putting the 26th Bond film first.
