Denis Villeneuve to helm next James Bond film for Amazon MGM

Denis Villeneuve has officially been tapped to direct the next installment in the James Bond franchise, Amazon MGM Studios announced Wednesday. The news marks a big step forward for the long-running spy series, which has been without a new entry since No Time to Die in 2021.

Villeneuve will direct the yet-untitled film with Amy Pascal and David Heyman producing. Tanya Lapointe, Villeneuve’s longtime collaborator, will serve as executive producer. The Canadian director’s appointment follows months of speculation, with names like Edward Berger, Edgar Wright, Jonathan Nolan, and Alfonso Cuarón previously linked to the project.

This will be the first Bond film made under Amazon MGM’s full creative control, following its 2022 acquisition of MGM Studios in an $8.5 billion deal. The studio formed a new joint venture with longtime Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson earlier this year, cementing its control over the direction of the iconic franchise.

Villeneuve’s selection comes as something of a surprise given his current slate, which includes the third and final Dune installment, currently in production and set to release in December 2026. Nevertheless, his track record — spanning critically acclaimed projects like Arrival, Blade Runner 2049, and the Dune films — made him a strong contender.

In a statement, Villeneuve said, “Some of my earliest movie-going memories are connected to 007. I grew up watching James Bond films with my father, ever since Dr. No. 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.”

Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, praised Villeneuve as “a cinematic master” whose work consistently delivers “compelling worlds, dynamic visuals, and immersive storytelling.”

No details about casting or a release timeline have been shared as of yet.