Denis Villeneuve is set to direct the next 007 movie, the first since Amazon MGM Studios took over creative control of the spy franchise in 2025, but James Bond fans might have to wait until 2028 for it to hit the big screens.
Denis Villeneuve will direct the project, with a script by Steven Knight, while the search for the next Bond is still on.
The rumour mill is in full swing despite details being so scarce, but a report from The Sun claims it won’t be until 2028 that the film is released, making it seven years since a new Bond film hit cinema screens.
MGM / Sony
Related: Best streaming services UK 2026 – including Disney Plus, Netflix, iPlayer and Apple TV
A source reportedly told the publication: “Bond won’t be back until 2028. The production mindset’s gone from ‘Let’s hurry this through’ to ‘Make sure we get this right’.
“Denis wanted a long break after Dune 3 and has some broad ideas on the script. Steven will get on with drafts before they map out the final version. That’ll take at least the whole summer.
“Realistically, if they can make January 2027 work for pre-production then that will be a success.
“The principal photography will run until the summer, and the film always takes around nine months to a year to edit.”
It echoes a similar sentiment that Amazon executives gave fans when speaking at CinemaCon this year, sharing an update on where their hunt for the next Bond stands.
All eyes are on who could play the iconic spy after Daniel Craig left the franchise with 2021’s No Time To Die.
Eon
Related: Who is Louis Partridge? Netflix star “in contention” to become youngest-ever James Bond actor
Head of film at Amazon MGM Studios, Courtenay Valenti, said: “Now, I know you’re all wondering when we’re going to announce who’s playing James Bond.
“Don’t get too excited. Please know that we’re taking the time to do this with care and deep respect. It is the dream of a lifetime for all of us to bring audiences this next chapter, and it’s a responsibility we don’t take lightly.”
Valenti continued: “What I can tell you is this: when you pair one of the most beloved franchises in history with a world-class filmmaking team, including the brilliant director Denis Villeneuve, extraordinary producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman, executive producer Tanya Lapointe, and screenwriter Steven Knight, you’re setting the stage for something that’s truly worthy of the Bond legacy.
“That film is coming, and when the time is right, we’ll have much more to share.”
The new edition of Living Legends, a 100-page all-colour celebration of Sir David Attenborough, is here! Buy Sir David Attenborough in newsagents or online.
Freelance Reporter, Digital Spy
Rebecca is a freelance journalist who specializes in TV and film. After beginning her career as a digital entertainment journalist for the Express & Star and Shropshire Star, she embarked on a freelance career in 2021 contributing to the likes of Metro UK, The Sun, WhatCulture, Screen Rant, FilmHounds Magazine and more.
Her particular field of interest is horror cinema and she has written for genre publications such as Ghouls Magazine and Moving Pictures Film Club.
LinkedIn