Denis Villeneuve might be done with the Dune franchise for now, but a much juicier project waits for him in the future. The director is slated to direct the 26th installment of the James Bond franchise, which will feature a new actor playing 007 in his franchise debut.
Three actors are currently leading as fan favorites for the iconic role. While names like Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Idris Elba have been circulated since Daniel Craig’s departure, current betting frontrunners include Callum Turner, Jack Lowden, and Jack Barton. Barton’s inclusion has come as a major surprise to bookmakers, swiftly surging into contention with 9/2 odds.
What do we know about the next James Bond movie?
Much remains under wraps for Bond 26, including who will officially take up the mantle. The upcoming film marks a major transitional period for the franchise as the first installment under the newly merged Amazon MGM banner, following the departure of longtime producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson.
Broccoli reportedly attempted to reach a creative consensus with Amazon before stepping back after what sources described as a bitter feud over the franchise’s direction.
Producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman have since taken over executive responsibilities, bringing stellar track records from their work on the Spider-Man and Harry Potter franchises, respectively.
The writer for the film is set to be Steven Knight, who is known for his work on the show Peaky Blinders. It is not yet known exactly what the plot of Bond 26 will be, but rumors online have suggested that Bond’s next foe might have something to do with artificial intelligence.
However, a separate rumor has suggested that the latest James Bond film could be a period piece, rather than having the superspy operate in a contemporary setting. It is not yet known when the film will be released. The title of the movie also remains under wraps.
