We don’t yet know who will be the new James Bond after Daniel Craig, but now the pieces are starting to fall into place.
Last night (Norwegian time), Amazon MGM announced that acclaimed Canadian director Denis Villeneuve – known for his critically acclaimed “Dune” films – has been commissioned to direct the next James Bond film. Villeneuve, who has described himself as a big Bond fan, refers to the project as “an enormous responsibility and a great honour”.
New forces behind the Bond series
Earlier this year, Amy Pascal (known from the “Spider-Man” movies) and David Heyman (producer of the “Harry Potter” series) were hired as new producers for the film series. This film will be the first since Amazon MGM took over creative control from the Broccoli family, who have ruled the series for over 60 years. The takeover cost upwards of $1 billion.
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Although Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli are still involved through a joint venture, Amazon MGM now has the final say on the creative direction for the iconic agent.
James Bond’s history – from Connery to Craig (and beyond)
The James Bond franchise has been one of the most successful franchises in film history, with 25 official films since its debut “Dr. No” (1962) starring Sean Connery. Over the years, six actors have played the MI6 agent:
- Sean Connery (1962–1971, 1983) – The first and for many the definitive Bond.
- George Lazenby (1969) – Played Bond only once in ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’.
- Roger Moore (1973–1985) – Took over with a more humorous and stylish interpretation.
- Timothy Dalton (1987–1989) – A darker and more realistic version.
- Pierce Brosnan (1995–2002) – Modernized Bond for the 90s.
- Daniel Craig (2006–2021) – Recreated the character with a raw and emotional approach.
After “No Time to Die” (2021), which ended Daniel Craig’s time as 007, fans have been eagerly awaiting who will take over. Now it’s clear that Villeneuve will be the one who will shape Bond’s new era – and with Amazon MGM as owners, we can probably expect a more modern and perhaps technologically advanced interpretation of the legendary spy.
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What can we expect?
No plot or cast details have been revealed yet, but with Villeneuve behind the camera, we can count on magnificent visuals, intelligent action and a deeper psychological dimension. The film will probably not be directly linked to Craig’s Bond universe, but start over with a completely fresh interpretation.
Expect an official announcement about the new Bond actor in the coming year – and that the film will premiere in 2026 or 2027.
Update: It is also reported that Monaco could be a possible filming location, as a tribute to Bond’s classic European style.
