- Amazon-MGM Studios has officially selected Denis Villeneuve (Prisoners, Sicario, Dune Part I & II) to direct the next James Bond movie.
- The other auteurs that were being considered ranged from Edward Berger (All Quiet on the Western Front, Conclave) to Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, Baby Driver).
- As for Bond himself, while all signs indicate Aaron Taylor-Johnson is in pole position, the world still awaits confirmation.
The competition to become James Bond might be tough, but helming the next instalment altogether sounds like itโs in a league of its own. At least when you learn who was interviewing for the gig this time around.
Last week, ever-respected industry insider Matthew Belloni revealed five directors were in contention for Bond 26 (via his Puck newsletter). Today, itโs been confirmed that Denis Villeneuve of Prisoners, Sicario, Blade Runner 2049, Arrival, and Dune fame has been formally granted a licence to thrill from Amazon-MGM Studios.
Villeneuve will also serve as executive producer, alongside Tanya Lapointe, Amy Pascal, and David Heyman.
โSome of my earliest movie-going memories are connected to 007. I grew up watching James Bond films with my father, ever since Dr No with Sean Connery. Iโm a die-hard Bond fan. To me, heโs sacred territory,โ said Villeneuve.
โI 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.โ
Pascal and Heyman added: โDenis Villeneuve has been in love with James Bond movies since he was a little boy. It was always his dream to make this movie, and now itโs ours, too. We are lucky to be in the hands of this extraordinary filmmaker.โ
The decision was crucial to ushering in the already controversial Amazon era of 007 โ having wrested complete creative control from longtime custodians, Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, for whatโs rumoured to be a hefty billion-dollar price tag. But safe to say, theyโve thankfully gone with the best possible option.
Hereโs every other auteur who was in the running to direct the next James Bond movie, according to Belloni.
RELATED: The Reason Christopher Nolan Was โRejectedโ By The Bond Franchise
The Other James Bond Directorial Candidates
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 โ it won Best Adapted Screenplay with nods for Best Actor and Best Picture โ 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 wouldโve been their most suitable option.
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 couldโve very well been the franchiseโs 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 doesnโt 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 youโre thinking โ why Jonathon Nolan? And the answer isnโt nepotism. Itโs the Amazon connection (he co-created Prime Videoโs 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, mightโve been 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 yesโฆ Interstellar.
Paul King
Notable Works: Paddington (2014), Paddington 2 (2017), Wonka (2023)
A dark horse if weโve 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 HBOโs Chernobyl and The Last of Us, King can do James Bond.
Also, letโs not pretend Paddington and Paddington 2 werenโt 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 MTVโs Happy Sad Confused podcast, stating that if he were to be approached, โfranklyโฆ the answer would be a massive yes.โ
โI would deeply love one day to make a James Bond movie,โ said Denis Villeneuve.
โItโs a character that Iโve 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.โ
โWhat Daniel Craig brought to Bond was so unique and strong and honestly unmatchable. Heโs the ultimate James Bond. I canโt wait to see Caryโs movie. Iโm very excited. Iโm one of the biggest Bond fans.โ
โJust thinking about it, Iโm tired [laughs]. One thing at a time,โ he added, in reference to what was then the impending release of his sci-fi epic Dune featuring an all-star cast of Timothรฉe Chalamet, Oscar Isaac, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Jason Momoa, Zendaya, and more.
โItโs really a massive privilege. I donโt want to say Iโm very arrogant or pretentious right now. Itโs true that it would be a dream to do 007.โ
RELATED: โSicario 3โ Loses Its Director, But The Show Goes On
The Nameโs Taylor-Johnson, Aaron Taylor-Johnson
Despite Matt Belloniโs assertions that James Bond himself wonโt 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-Johnsonโs Omega ambassadorship comes as his fellow perennial frontrunner, Henry Cavill, inks a contract with Longines. Which doesnโt take him out of the running completely. Though it does look increasingly unlikely, given the latter wouldnโt commit to the Man of Steel actor if there was a reasonable chance heโd 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 โformally offeredโ the role of James Bond.
โBond is Aaronโs job, should he wish to accept it. The formal offer is on the table and they are waiting to hear back,โ an inside source revealed to The Sun; which was then cited by several far more credible publications.
โAs 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.โ
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 heโll 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.
