VOD News | On 26, Jun 2025

Denis Villeneuve will direct the next James Bond film, Amazon MGM Studios has announced.

Ian Fleming’s spy, 007, has been one of the icons of British cinema for more than 60 years, with 25 films part of the official franchise to date. In 2022, Amazon inked an £8.5 billion acquisition of MGM, the studio that owns 007, then earlier this year struck a deal to take full creative control over the 007 films.

Since then, speculation has been rife as to who will be the next James Bond, with everyone from Aaron Taylor-Johnson to Josh O’Connor rumoured to be in the casting mix. Now, though, Amazon has broken an equally significant piece of talent news, unveiling the helmer of its first 007 outing. That helmer is none other than Denis Villeneuve, a move that makes a clear statement of intent from Amazon about keeping Bond in creatively and commercially safe hands – Villeneuve is no stranger to wrestling artistically with big budgets and IP, having helmed Dune and Dune: Part Two.

Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, commented, “We are honoured that Denis has agreed to direct James Bond’s next chapter. He is a cinematic master, whose filmography speaks for itself. From Blade Runner 2049 to Arrival to the Dune films, he has delivered compelling worlds, dynamic visuals, complex characters, and – most importantly – the immersive storytelling that global audiences yearn to experience in theatres. James Bond is in the hands of one of today’s greatest filmmakers and we cannot wait to get started on 007’s next adventure.”

Tanya Lapointe will serve as executive producer, with Amy Pascal and David Heyman serving as producers.

Villeneuve commented: “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 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.”

Pascal and Heyman commented: “Denis 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 it’s ours, too. We are lucky to be in the hands of this extraordinary filmmaker.”

 

Amazon takes creative control of James Bond franchise

22nd February 2025

Amazon has taken creative control of the James Bond franchise.

Ian Fleming’s spy, 007, has been one of the icons of British cinema for more than 60 years, with 25 films part of the official franchise to date. In 2022, after years of competing to secure the streaming rights to James Bond’s back catalogue, Amazon emerged as the winner, inking an £8.5 billion acquisition of MGM, the studio that owns 007. That agreement gave the online giant the rights to MGM’s library of 4,000+ films and 17,000 TV shows, with control of their distribution.

Now, the company has gone one step further, with a landmark deal to have full creative control over the 007 films. Previously, Amazon has only ventured into James Bond territory once, with a reality TV competition titled 007: Road to a Million. In what is reported to be a deal of more than $1 billion, though, Amazon will be able to move ahead with new movie instalments.

The deal comes four years after Daniel Cragi’s farewell in 2021’s No Time to Die, a gap that is almost as long as the six years between Licence to Kill and GoldenEye, which was the franchise’s longest ever gap between films.

Amazon MGM Studios, Michael G Wilson, and Barbara Broccoli announced the deal this week. It has formed a new joint venture to house the James Bond intellectual property rights, with those parties remaining co-owners of the franchise. Under the terms of the new venture, Amazon MGM Studios will gain creative control of the James Bond franchise.

“Since his theatrical introduction over 60 years ago, James Bond has been one of the most iconic characters in filmed entertainment,” said Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios. “We are grateful to the late Albert R Broccoli and Harry Saltzman for bringing James Bond to movie theatres around the world, and to Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli for their unyielding dedication and their role in continuing the legacy of the franchise that is cherished by legions of fans worldwide. We are honoured to continue this treasured heritage, and look forward to ushering in the next phase of the legendary 007 for audiences around the world.”

“With my 007 career spanning nearly 60 incredible years, I am stepping back from producing the James Bond films to focus on art and charitable projects. Therefore, Barbara and I agree, it is time for our trusted partner, Amazon MGM Studios, to lead James Bond into the future,” said Wilson.

“My life has been dedicated to maintaining and building upon the extraordinary legacy that was handed to Michael and me by our father, producer Cubby Broccoli. I have had the honour of working closely with four of the tremendously talented actors who have played 007 and thousands of wonderful artists within the industry. With the conclusion of No Time to Die and Michael retiring from the films, I feel it is time to focus on my other projects,” commented Broccoli.

In addition to movies, Amazon will have the ability to build a universe for its own streaming platform, with the potential for something akin to The Lord of the Rings, Marvel, Star Wars or The Walking Dead.

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