Denis Villeneuve to Take the Helm of the Next James Bond Movie

Amazon MGM Studios has officially tapped visionary filmmaker Denis Villeneuve to steer the future of 007. Not only will he direct the upcoming James Bond film, but Villeneuve will also step into an executive producing role, teaming up with Tanya Lapointe. Producing duties will be handled by industry veterans Amy Pascal and David Heyman, as previously announced.

“For me, Bond isn’t just a character—it’s personal,” Villeneuve shared. “My earliest memories of cinema are tied to watching Bond films with my dad, starting with Dr. No. I’ve adored the series ever since. Taking the reins on this legendary franchise is a huge responsibility, but it’s also a dream come true. Amy, David, and I are incredibly energized to bring this next evolution of Bond to the big screen. I’m grateful to Amazon MGM Studios for trusting me with such an iconic figure.”

Mike Hopkins, who leads Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, expressed his excitement: “Having Denis on board is a game-changer. He’s a cinematic powerhouse with a stunning track record—Blade Runner 2049, Arrival, Dune—each project has been visually rich and emotionally resonant. With his ability to craft unforgettable worlds and deeply human characters, Bond is truly in expert hands.”

Pascal and Heyman added, “Denis has dreamed of making a Bond movie since he was a kid. Now, that dream is real—for him and for us. We couldn’t ask for a more gifted filmmaker to take the lead.”

Villeneuve, a French-Canadian director with multiple Oscar nominations, is best known for reshaping epic sci-fi. His credits include the Dune films, Sicario, Prisoners, Enemy, and the mind-bending Incendies.

The producing team brings serious muscle as well. Pascal will produce through Pascal Pictures, while Heyman returns under the banner of Heyday Films. The duo signed on in March following a game-changing agreement between Amazon MGM and longtime Bond guardians Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson. That deal shifted creative oversight of the series, long held by Broccoli and Wilson, into a collaborative partnership with Amazon.

Amazon acquired MGM for $8.5 billion in 2021, gaining half-ownership of the Bond brand but initially held no creative power. Following years of speculation and stops-and-starts after No Time to Die—Daniel Craig’s final outing—Amazon, Broccoli, and Wilson forged a joint entity to manage the franchise’s future while sharing ownership of the IP.

Earlier this year at CinemaCon, Amazon execs Courtenay Valenti and Sue Kroll teased that Pascal and Heyman were crafting an “electrifying and bold new direction” for the spy saga. “They’re already hard at work in London,” they said from the stage at Caesars Palace. “This franchise means the world to us, and we’re committed to honoring its legacy.”

With Villeneuve at the helm, the next big question looms: who will step into the tuxedo next? As the search for a new Bond begins, speculation is running wild—and Variety has already rounded up a shortlist of names.