Amazon MGM Studios has officially announced Denis Villeneuve as the director for the next James Bond film.

"James Bond movies were my first cinematic memories," Villeneuve shared in an official statement. "My father introduced me to the franchise with Sean Connery's Dr. No – I've been a devoted fan ever since. The character is sacred to me. My goal is to respect this legacy while paving the way for exciting new adventures. This opportunity is both an immense privilege and a thrilling challenge."

Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, praised Villeneuve as "a visionary filmmaker whose exceptional body of work speaks volumes."

"We're thrilled to have one of cinema's contemporary masters guiding 007 into his next chapter," Hopkins added.

Villeneuve's acclaimed directorial portfolio includes the Oscar-winning Dune films, Blade Runner 2049, Arrival, as well as critically praised works like Incendies (2010), Prisoners (2013), and Sicario (2015).

Earlier this year, Amazon MGM Studios confirmed their partnership with longtime Bond producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli to oversee creative direction for future 007 projects.

Almost Bonds: Actors Who Nearly Played 007

View 26 Images

The director search for Bond 26 has been extensive. Previous frontrunners reportedly included Edward Berger (Netflix's All Quiet on the Western Front) and Kelly Marcel (Venom: The Last Dance).

While the next actor to portray Bond remains unconfirmed, one British star has clearly captured fan enthusiasm. Villeneuve's immediate priority remains completing the Dune trilogy.

For eager 007 fans, IO Interactive (developers of Hitman) will release their Bond game 007: First Light in 2026. The debut trailer is available below.