Oscar-nominated filmmaker Denis Villeneuve will direct the next James Bond movie, officially announced by Amazon MGM Studios. The 28th film in the legendary spy series will also be the first Bond project produced under Amazon MGM’s new leadership.
Villeneuve, 57, is best known for his work on Dune, Blade Runner 2049, and Arrival. He called this new role a dream come true.
“I grew up watching James Bond with my father. Some of my earliest movie memories are tied to 007,” Villeneuve said in a press release from Amazon MGM Studios on June 25. “He’s sacred territory to me. I want to honor the tradition and start a new path forward. It’s a huge responsibility, but also a great honor.”
This installment of Bond will be produced by Amy Pascal and David Heyman, two of Hollywood’s most respected producers. Both expressed excitement over working with Villeneuve on the iconic series.
“Denis has loved Bond movies since he was a child. Making this film has been his lifelong dream,” Heyman and Pascal shared in a joint statement. “We’re lucky to have such an extraordinary director leading the way.”
This marks the first Bond movie produced without longtime franchise overseers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson. In early 2025, they announced they would step back from day-to-day creative control. However, they will still remain as co-owners of the franchise.
In February, Amazon MGM reached a new deal giving them full creative authority. With Villeneuve now onboard, this change signals a major new chapter for the spy saga.
Casting details have not yet been revealed. Amazon MGM has also not announced who will write the script.
Denis Villeneuve gained worldwide attention in 2010 for Incendies, a French-language film nominated for an Academy Award. That success led him to Hollywood, where he directed critically acclaimed films like Prisoners, Enemy, and Sicario.
He earned his first Best Director nomination for Arrival in 2016. Later, Dune: Part One and Dune: Part Two brought him even greater recognition. Dune: Part One was nominated for Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay.
Villeneuve has also directed Blade Runner 2049, praised for its visuals and depth.
The role of James Bond remains uncast for now. The last actor to play the British spy was Daniel Craig, who starred in five films from Casino Royale (2006) to No Time to Die (2021). Craig stepped away from the role, saying he felt it was time to move on after 15 years.
Pierce Brosnan, who played Bond before Craig, also commented on the future casting in a 2022 interview. “It will be interesting to see who they pick,” he said, adding, “I wish him well.”
The James Bond franchise began with Dr. No in 1962, starring Sean Connery. Since then, Bond has been played by actors such as George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig.
Based on Ian Fleming’s novels, the Bond series has followed the MI6 agent on high-stakes missions around the globe. Over the years, the franchise has earned more than $7 billion worldwide.
With Villeneuve now directing and Amazon MGM taking creative lead, fans can expect a fresh vision while staying true to Bond’s classic style.
