Well, that was fast. Just a few days after it was reported several heavyweight filmmakers were making ‘Bond 26’ pitches to Amazon MGM, a winner has already been selected. French Canadian filmmaker Denis Villeneuve, known for the “Dune” franchise, has landed the gig. Amazon made the news on social media.
“Amazon MGM Studios sets Denis Villeneuve as director of the next James Bond film. Tanya Lapointe will serve as executive producer. As previously announced, Amy Pascal and David Heyman will serve as producers.”
The quick announcement is a coup for the producers, who will likely be seen as the right handlers for Bond, given they’ve wasted no time making a decision. Pascal is best known for her time running Sony and then producing the “Spider-Man” franchise alongside Kevin Feige and Marvel.
There’s no word what Villeneuve’s take will be like, but considering his career thus far, films known for their visual grandeur, but also gritty emotional poignancy, audiences should probably get prepared for a darker James Bond more in line with something like Sam Raimi’s “Skyfall,” largely considered akin to Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight” only for 007 and the moodiest of all the Bond films.
And considering how much Villeneuve loves Nolan, guessing what one of the “Oppenheimer” filmmaker’s Bond movies would be—somber, filled with gravitas, and cinematic epicness—is probably not that far removed from guessing what the “Sicario” director’s take on the dapper spy might be.
“I would deeply love one day to make a James Bond movie,” the filmmaker said back in 2021. “It’s a character that I’ve been with since my childhood. I have massive affection for Bond. It would be a big challenge to try and reboot it after what Daniel did. What Daniel Craig brought to Bond was so unique and strong and honestly unmatchable. He’s the ultimate James Bond. I can’t wait to see Cary’s movie. I’m very excited. I’m one of the biggest Bond fans.”
Given Amazon’s eagerness to get this franchise back on track—“No Time To Die” was released back in 2021 and no Bond movie has even been in development since—it’s a safe bet to assume ‘Bond 26’ will be Villeneuve’s next next movie.
But it’s like going to have to wait about three years at least. Villeneuve is about to go into production on “Dune: Messiah” this summer in order for a Christmas 2026 release. And that’ll be the end of the “Dune” brand for the acclaimed writer/director before he turns his attention to the shaken-not-stirred playboy M1-6 agent.
If a script is written concurrently and can go into production for 2027—not inconceivable given the “Arrival” director’s relatively quick pace, a 2028 release date seems like the best guess if you’re a betting person.
Rodrigo Perez is the founder and editor-in-chief of The Playlist, which he launched in 2008. He has worked in entertainment journalism since 2000, including at MTV, and has written for SPIN, IndieWire, Pitchfork, Complex, Magnet, and various music, film, and entertainment publications over the past two decades.
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