Denis Villeneuve announced as director of Bond 26

Amazon MGM Studios announced today that Denis Villeneuve will be the director of the next James Bond film. It was also announced that Tanya Lapointe, who is married to Denis Villeneuve, will serve as executive producer for Bond 26.

About Denis Villeneuve

Denis Villeneuve, the visionary Canadian director known for his masterful control of atmosphere and tension, has emerged as one of the most distinctive voices in modern cinema.

Villeneuve commented, “Some of my earliest movie-going memories are connected to 007. I grew up watching James Bond films with my father, ever since Dr. No with Sean Connery. I'm a die-hard Bond fan. To me, he’s sacred territory. I intend to honor the tradition and open the path for many new missions to come. This is a massive responsibility, but also, incredibly exciting for me and a huge honor. Amy, David, and I are absolutely thrilled to bring him back to the screen. Thank you to Amazon MGM Studios for their trust.”

With critically acclaimed films like Prisoners and Sicario, Villeneuve showcased his talent for gripping, character-driven thrillers. He cemented his reputation as a bold storyteller with Arrival, an Oscar-nominated sci-fi drama, and continued in the sci-fi genre with Blade Runner 2049. Most recently, he directed the epic films Dune and Dune: Part 2 which were a critical and commercial success. 

About Tanya Lapointe

Tanya Lapointe is a Canadian filmmaker and former journalist. She began dating film director Denis Villeneuve in the mid-2010s and started working as a production assistant on his films Arrival, Blade Runner 2049, Dune and Dune: Part Two. 

In 2025, Lapointe was nominated alongside Villeneuve for the Academy Award for Best Picture for their work as producers on Dune: Part Two.

Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, commented, “We are honored that Denis has agreed to direct James Bond’s next chapter. He is a cinematic master, whose filmography speaks for itself. From Blade Runner 2049 to Arrival to the Dune films, he has delivered compelling worlds, dynamic visuals, complex characters, and—most importantly—the immersive storytelling that global audiences yearn to experience in theaters. James Bond is in the hands of one of today’s greatest filmmakers and we cannot wait to get started on 007’s next adventure.”

As previously announced, Amy Pascal and David Heyman will serve as producers for Bond 26.

Pascal and Heyman commented, “Denis Villeneuve has been in love with James Bond movies since he was a little boy. It was always his dream to make this movie, and now it’s ours, too. We are lucky to be in the hands of this extraordinary filmmaker.”