The next James Bond film has a director, a screenwriter and a fan base that has been guessing names for years. What it lacks is James Bond. Denis Villeneuve, known for "Dune", is reportedly looking for a largely unknown British actor. Producer Amy Pascal thinks an announcement by the end of 2026 is "a good bet".
Filming is due to start in 2027 at the earliest; a cinema release looks more likely in 2028. Until then the franchise is a rumour with a marketing budget. Every week a new favourite is floated, every denial is a headline, and a film that does not yet exist is already earning handsomely in the industry's most valuable currency: attention.
Bond was always the fantasy of one man saving the world. These days it is enough if he saves a franchise.
The smartest move is, of all things, choosing an unknown. A star brings expectations; an unknown brings only a blank screen to project onto. And everything fits on it: tuxedo, martini and a multi-picture contract.
What actually happened
- Denis Villeneuve was announced as director of "Bond 26" in June 2025, with Steven Knight writing the script. The search is for a relatively unknown British actor; filming is expected in 2027 and a release more likely in 2028. The James Bond Dossier