The hunt for 007 is becoming one of the most exciting chases in Hollywood right now, and it’s a bigger mystery than those found in the Knives Out saga. Since Daniel Craig hung up his Walther PPK and got blown into a million tiny pieces, countless names have been linked to the tuxedo over the last few years. The two producers handed the keys to the Bond empire and to M’s office, Amy Pascal and David Heyman, have remained tight lipped about who will inherit the role… until now.
Speaking with Deadline while celebrating the record-breaking success of Spider-Man: Brand New Day, producer Amy Pascal revealed that audiences shouldn’t have to wait much longer before discovering the next 007.
When asked whether Bond fans could expect casting news before the end of 2026, Pascal gave the clearest update yet on the franchise’s timeline. She explained that the producers are deliberately taking their time following Daniel Craig’s acclaimed run as the British spy, and that they wanted to give themselves the best chance possible at finding the right actor to carry the weight of sixty years of history on their shoulders.
“I would say the end of the year is a good bet. We are being really, really methodical. Having worked with Barbara Broccoli at the studio, I mean, Daniel Craig is a hard act to follow. And it’s got to be something really different that is a stirring and exciting and different.”
Who Is Directing the New James Bond Movie?
The new Bond will have an expert in bringing visceral cinema to life in the form of Denis Villeneuve, the French-Canadian blockbuster director who has brought the Dune trilogy, Blade Runner 2049, Sicario and Arrival to life. Villeneuve is a lifelong fan of the Bond series and expressed his joy at taking the role when he was appointed.
“Some 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. I’m a die-hard Bond fan. To me, he’s sacred territory. I intend to honor 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 honor. Amy, David, and I are absolutely thrilled to bring him back to the screen. Thank you to Amazon MGM Studios for their trust.”
via Collider