- According to Matthew Belloni of Puck renown, Amazon-MGM Studios has narrowed down the field for the next James Bond movie to just five directors.
- The auteurs being considered range from Edward Berger (All Quiet on the Western Front, Conclave) to Denis Villeneuve (Prisoners, Sicario, Dune Part I & II).
- This latest revelation has effectively taken the much speculated Alfonso Cuaron (Children of Men, Gravity, Roma) out of the running.
The competition to become James Bond might be tough, but helming the next instalment altogether sounds like it’s in a league of its own. At least when you learn who’s reportedly interviewing for the gig this time around.
At the close of last week, ever-respected industry insider Matthew Belloni revealed five directors were in contention for Bond 26 (via his Puck newsletter). And given the astounding pedigree of the iconic spy franchise, which has employed everyone from New Zealand talent Martin Campbell and Cary Joji Fukunaga to the Academy Award-winning Sam Mendes, you can imagine the calibre of names in the conversation.
The decision is even more crucial to ushering in the already controversial Amazon era of 007 – having assumed full creative control from longtime custodians, Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, for what’s rumoured to be a hefty billion-dollar price tag.
Here’s every auteur who could feasibly be directing the next James Bond movie.
RELATED: The Reason Christopher Nolan Was “Rejected” By The Bond Franchise
The Next James Bond Directors
Edward Berger
Notable Works: All Quiet on the Western Front (2022), Conclave (2024)
Edward Berger feels like the betting favourite. The Academy Award-nominated writer/director has the cultural momentum behind him with his English-language debut in Conclave – it won Best Adapted Screenplay with nods for Best Actor and Best Picture – and deftly wields psychological introspection like a switchblade.
If Amazon-MGM wanted to preserve some semblance of continuity from the moody Craig years, tonally speaking, Berger is their most suitable option.
Denis Villeneuve
Notable Works: Prisoners (2013), Sicario (2015), Arrival (2016), Blade Runner 2049 (2017), Dune (2021), Dune: Part Two (2024)
Imagine the absolute visual feast we’d be treated to if Denis Villeneuve were tapped.
While he’s mastered the “thinking man’s blockbuster” with modern classic after modern classic, achieved a stunningly taut and deliciously gritty thriller in Sicario (the perfect audition tape, if you ask us), and proven himself commercially… this would almost be too cool to ever actually happen. Plus we can’t see how he’d turn this one around as currently scheduled with Dune: Messiah on his plate.
We’ll be praying for a miracle in the meantime.
Edgar Wright
Notable Works: Shaun of the Dead (2004), Hot Fuzz (2007), Scott Pilgrim vs the World (2010), Baby Driver (2017)
Imagine the action sequences. Imagine the soundtrack!
This could very well be the franchise’s perfect entry point for a fun throwback. Not Hot Fuzz or Scott Pilgrim vs the World levels, of course. Just a retro-inspired reminder that 007 doesn’t have to be self-serious.
An entertaining possibility, sure, though not quite our flavour in all honesty.
Jonathan Nolan
Notable Works: Person of Interest (2011-2016), Westworld (2016-2022), Fallout (2024)
I know what you’re thinking – why Jonathon Nolan? And the answer isn’t nepotism. It’s the Amazon connection (he co-created Prime Video’s Fallout with his wife Lisa Joy to massive success).
Known predominantly as the brother of Christopher Nolan first and creator of Person of Interest + Westworld + the aforementioned Fallout second, might be the sleeper pick of the bunch.
While the bulk of his work has been in television, the man is no less capable of crafting an intelligent and impactful story. In fact, the younger Nolan has co-written everything from Memento and The Prestige to The Dark Knight trilogy and yes… Interstellar.
Paul King
Notable Works: Paddington (2014), Paddington 2 (2017), Wonka (2023)
A dark horse if we’ve ever seen one. Talk about tonal whiplash.
That being said, Paul King is an extremely competent (and extremely British) filmmaker who delivers a lot of charm and a lot of heart. If Craig Mazin can pivot from the Scary Movie franchise, later two Hangover movies, and Melissa McCarthy flicks to HBO’s Chernobyl and The Last of Us, King can do James Bond.
Also, let’s not pretend Paddington and Paddington 2 weren’t perfect movies.
Denis Villeneuve Finally Gets His Shot?
A few years prior, around the same time the cinema-loving world bid farewell to Daniel Craig in the wake of No Time To Die, Villeneuve expressed major interest in a future James Bond instalment.
The acclaimed filmmaker tossed his proverbial hat into the equally proverbial ring during his interview on MTV’s Happy Sad Confused podcast, stating that if he were to be approached, “frankly… the answer would be a massive yes.”
“I would deeply love one day to make a James Bond movie,” said Denis Villeneuve.
“It’s a character that I’ve been with since my childhood. I have massive affection for Bond. It would be a big challenge to try and reboot it after what Daniel did.”
“What Daniel Craig brought to Bond was so unique and strong and honestly unmatchable. He’s the ultimate James Bond. I can’t wait to see Cary’s movie. I’m very excited. I’m one of the biggest Bond fans.”
“Just thinking about it, I’m tired [laughs]. One thing at a time,” he added, in reference to what was then the impending release of his sci-fi epic Dune featuring an all-star cast of Timothée Chalamet, Oscar Isaac, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Jason Momoa, Zendaya, and more.
“It’s really a massive privilege. I don’t want to say I’m very arrogant or pretentious right now. It’s true that it would be a dream to do 007.”
RELATED: ‘Sicario 3’ Loses Its Director, But The Show Goes On
The Name’s Taylor-Johnson, Aaron Taylor-Johnson
Despite Matt Belloni’s assertions that James Bond himself won’t be cast until both a director and screenplay are set in place, for months now, it would appear that Aaron Taylor-Johnson has been all but confirmed.
Speculation reached a breaking point last month when the 34-year-old British thespian of Kick-Ass, Bullet Train, and Kraven the Hunter fame joined Omega as its latest brand ambassador.
The Swiss watchmaker has, of course, enjoyed a longstanding and fruitful relationship with the iconic spy franchise; immortalised in the pantheon of 007 brands alongside Aston Martin, Bollinger, and German arms manufacturer Carl Walther GmbH Sportwaffen. Meaning the association is as big of an omen as you can get
Taylor-Johnson’s Omega ambassadorship comes as his fellow perennial frontrunner, Henry Cavill, inks a contract with Longines. Which doesn’t take him out of the running completely. Though it does look increasingly unlikely, given the latter wouldn’t commit to the Man of Steel actor if there was a reasonable chance he’d jump ship soon (especially given both Omega and Longines are owned by Swatch Group).
Around this time last year, in the wake of reports that he was the top candidate after a secret screen test, industry chatter alleged that Aaron Taylor-Johnson had been “formally offered” the role of James Bond.
“Bond is Aaron’s job, should he wish to accept it. The formal offer is on the table and they are waiting to hear back,” an inside source revealed to The Sun; which was then cited by several far more credible publications.
“As far as Eon is concerned, Aaron is going to sign his contract in the coming days and they can start preparing for the big announcement.”
The same source also confirmed a screenplay was in development with production scheduled to kick off in late 2024 at Pinewood Studios, Buckinghamshire. But a lot has obviously changed since then.
Motivated by either a superstitious fear that he’ll jinx himself or a sensible fear of an NDA, Aaron Taylor-Johnson has consistently been evasive about the matter. As always, we await an official announcement with eager (borderline rabid) anticipation.
