Amazon MGM Studios has officially announced that Denis Villeneuve will direct the next instalment in the James Bond franchise, marking a major development in the spy series’ new era.
Villeneuve, a four-time Oscar nominee known for his masterful work on Dune and Blade Runner 2049, will direct the first Bond film under Amazon MGM’s full creative control. Producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman are on board, with Tanya Lapointe serving as executive producer.
The announcement puts to rest months of speculation, which saw a string of high-profile names: Edward Berger, Edgar Wright, Jonathan Nolan, Paul King, and even Alfonso Cuarón, tipped for the coveted job. But it’s Villeneuve, long admired for his cinematic vision and ability to elevate genre storytelling, who will take the reins.
In a statement, Villeneuve expressed both reverence and enthusiasm for the project: "Some of my earliest moviegoing memories are connected to 007. I grew up watching James Bond films with my father, ever since Dr No with Sean Connery. I’m a die-hard Bond fan. To me, he’s sacred territory. I intend to honour 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 honour. Amy, David, and I are absolutely thrilled to bring him back to the screen. Thank you to Amazon MGM Studios for their trust."
The choice comes as a surprise to many, given Villeneuve's current commitment to Dune: Messiah, the third and final chapter in his sci-fi trilogy for Warner Bros. and Legendary. Filming for Messiah begins this summer, with a release date set for December 2026. Villeneuve is also attached to multiple other projects, including adaptations of Cleopatra, Arthur C Clarke’s Rendezvous with Rama, and Annie Jacobsen’s Nuclear War: A Scenario.
Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, praised the director’s appointment: "We are honoured that Denis has agreed to direct James 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 has delivered compelling worlds, dynamic visuals, complex characters, and—most importantly—the immersive storytelling that global audiences yearn to experience in theatres. James Bond is in the hands of one of today’s greatest filmmakers, and we cannot wait to get started on 007’s next adventure."
This will be the first Bond film since No Time to Die(2021), which concluded Daniel Craig’s run as the iconic British spy. While no casting or release details have been revealed, with Villeneuve’s appointment, the franchise appears poised for a bold and cinematic reinvention.
