While the search for the next James Bond is underway, one of the franchise’s new producers provides an update on the spy’s reboot release timeline. Earlier this year, long-time Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson surrendered creative control of the Bond franchise to Amazon MGM Studios, a major shake-up for a quintessentially British fictional icon.
One of the few things known for certain about the new Bond era is that Dune and Blade Runner 2049 director Denis Villeneuve (a Canadian native) will helm the first upcoming feature. Bond isn’t fully out of British hands, however. Acclaimed British producer David Heyman has partnered with American producer Amy Pascal to bring Bond back to the big screen, and Peaky Blinders mastermind Steven Knight will write the script.
During an interview with Screen Daily, Heyman shared that there is currently no set production timeline for the first Bond movie in the new era, explaining that “Denis [Villeneuve] is still filming Dune [3].” Heyman also noted that there is no firm deadline to cast the next James Bond. He then continued:
“The only thing that I have control over to a degree is finding projects and working with great, talented people who I believe can have the possibility to make something extraordinary. It wasn’t always the case. When you start off, you don’t have that opportunity, you’re just trying to squeak by and pay the rent. I was that person for quite a long time, and then life changed, and now I’m in a very privileged position.”
Heyman is no stranger to major British franchises, as he and his production company, Heyday Films, are behind several British mega-hits, including all eight Harry Potter films — and the upcoming Harry Potter HBO remake — as well as the critically acclaimed and widely beloved live-action Paddington movies.
Dune: Part Three is slated to release in cinemas in December 2026, and the film will require extensive post-production work. It will be a while before Villeneuve can turn his full attention to James Bond. Production was previously rumored to start in 2027, though Heyman’s comments imply that even that timeline is flexible.
As for James Bond’s casting, Villeneuve told Deadline in September that he would begin the search for a new James Bond next year, after completing production on Dune: Part Three. Deadline also reported that Amazon, Heyman, Pascal, and Villeneuve want the next Bond to be a “fresh-faced” British male, “an unknown in their 20s or 30s,” presumably so that the actor can grow with the franchise for a new generation.
That description doesn’t fit the rumored Bond shortlist released this summer, which included Tom Holland, Harris Dickinson, and Jacob Elordi. While all three actors are currently in their late 20s, none could be classified as “unknowns.” Elordi is also Australian, though it should be noted that George Lazenby, who portrayed Bond just after (and before) Sean Connery in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, was also Australian.
After Daniel Craig’s emotional and daring farewell in No Time to Die in 2021, the pressure is on to find a James Bond who can carry the franchise into a wholly new era. Clearly, Amazon and Bond’s creative team aren’t willing to rush the process, creating more hype around the return of this globally beloved character.
Upcoming Films
James Bond 26
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Action
First TV Show
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