A new report claims Amazon is moving quickly to get the next James Bond film into production, with filming aimed for 2026.
Fans of 007 have grown used to long gaps between missions. But if a new report is accurate, Bond 26 may arrive sooner than expected. According to The Sun, Amazon is fast-tracking development of the next film in the series, with filming reportedly targeted for late 2026 and a release before the end of 2027.
While The Sun is not always a reliable bellwether, some details ring true. A budget of £250million has reportedly been earmarked, and preliminary discussions around possible storylines and directions are said to have begun.
If true, this would mark a significant shift in pace. Since the mid-2000s, Bond films have taken longer to reach the screen, often with four or five years between entries. A 2027 release would match the franchise’s longest hiatus—the six-year gap between Licence To Kill and Goldeneye. This time, however, the delay follows a major transition. Though not yet finalised, Amazon is set to take creative control of the franchise once its deal with Eon Productions—headed by Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson—formally closes.
The report also claims Amazon is eager to recoup its outlay, which includes the price of acquiring MGM in addition to the Bond rights themselves—said to be near the $1bn mark. That aligns with the scale of the reported budget and the apparent urgency to move Bond 26 into production.
Much remains to be done before pre-production can begin in earnest. Amazon will need to appoint someone to lead the Bond franchise creatively—someone who can guide long-term planning across films and other media. A new screenwriter or writing team will have to be locked in, along with a director. And at the centre of it all, the casting of the next James Bond remains the single most pivotal decision.
So far, there’s been no confirmation from Amazon Studios. But for Bond fans, even the hint of movement is better than another long silence.
Source: The Sun
