The search for a new James Bond will only begin after Denis Villeneuve finishes Dune 3.
Bond 26 will begin its search for a new 007 in 2026, with casting to commence once director Denis Villeneuve finishes work on Dune: Part Three. For readers of The James Bond Dossier, none of this will come as a surprise. I’ve consistently argued since Daniel Craig handed back his keys to the DB5 that no casting would occur without both a director and a script. Once Villeneuve was confirmed, it was clear he’d need to wrap Dune before even thinking about who would take over as 007.
Deadline’s report comes from Baz Bamigboye, who has a solid track record on Bond developments even at the Daily Mail. His sources tell him producers David Heyman and Amy Pascal are looking for a physically commanding Bond, someone who fits Fleming’s original description as “a blunt instrument”: over six foot, emotionally closed off, and capable of sudden violence. To take on the role they want an unknown British male actor in his late 20s or early 30s, marking a fresh start for the franchise under Amazon MGM Studios.
Filming is expected to begin in 2027, with a likely November 2028 release — consistent with past Bond films. The new film will not follow on from No Time to Die. Instead, it’s described as “a new Bond, a new start, a fresh everything”.
The script, being written by Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders, SAS Rogue Heroes), is said to draw on Fleming’s earliest novels. There’s also talk of exploring Bond’s pre‑00 years, including his career in the Royal Navy and recruitment into MI6, although this seems like ground already covered in Daniel Craig’s first Bond outing and doesn’t seem consistent with drawing from the early novels. While the actor must be British, race is reportedly not a barrier.
Bamigboye’s sources suggest most of the actors whose names have circulated online — from Aaron Taylor-Johnson to Idris Elba — are not under serious consideration. Villeneuve and his team are aiming younger, and betting on someone less familiar. “Every name you’ve heard of, and many you’ve never heard of,” is how one insider put it. But nothing will move forward until Villeneuve finishes his Dune commitments in 2026.
Source: Deadline
