The Academy Award-nominated filmmaker is also helping choose the next 007.
Canadian filmmaker Denis Villeneuve is officially set to direct the next installment of “James Bond” for Amazon MGM Studios, adding another major title to his already impressive portfolio.
His longtime creative partner Tanya Lapointe will serve as executive producer, alongside veteran producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman.
Reacting to the news, Villeneuve said:
“Some of my earliest movie-going memories are connected to 007. I grew up watching ‘James Bond’ films with my father, starting with ‘Dr. No’ and Sean Connery. I’m a die-hard Bond fan. To me, he’s sacred territory. I intend to honor the tradition and open the path for many new missions to come. This is a massive responsibility, but also incredibly exciting for me and a huge honor. Amy, David, and I are absolutely thrilled to bring him back to the screen. Thank you to Amazon MGM Studios for their trust.”
Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, added: “We’re honored that Denis has agreed to direct Bond’s next chapter. He is a cinematic master whose filmography speaks for itself. From ‘Blade Runner 2049’ to ‘Arrival’ to the ‘Dune’ films, he creates compelling worlds, stunning visuals, complex characters, and—most importantly—immersive stories that audiences crave. Bond is in good hands.”
Producers Pascal and Heyman also shared their excitement: “Denis Villeneuve has loved ‘James Bond’ since he was a kid. Making this movie has always been his dream, and now it’s ours too. We’re lucky to have such an extraordinary filmmaker leading this next adventure.”
As anticipation builds, so does the search for the next 007. According to Variety, top contenders include Australian actor Jacob Elordi and British actors Harris Dickinson and Tom Holland. Other names reportedly in the mix are Theo James, Tom Hardy, Michael B. Jordan, John Boyega, Cillian Murphy, Idris Elba, Rege-Jean Page, Daniel Kaluuya, Chris Hemsworth, and Michael Fassbender.
So far, six actors have portrayed the iconic British spy. The most recent was Daniel Craig, who starred in five titles between 2006 and 2021: “Casino Royale,” “Quantum of Solace,” “Skyfall,” “Spectre,” and “No Time to Die.”
Amazon MGM Studios acquired the rights to the “James Bond” franchise in 2025 through a joint venture with Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson of Eon Productions, the company behind 25 of the 27 official Bond titles.
With six Academy Awards, four Golden Globes, and four BAFTAs, “James Bond” remains one of the most successful franchises in cinema history, grossing $7.8 billion globally over the past 60 years.
In addition to the upcoming “James Bond” installment, Villeneuve is also set to begin production on “Dune: Messiah,” the third film in his sci-fi saga, in July 2025.