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Honestly I think it could be the right choice in a way. Jurassic World rebirth looks like Bland slop, Spiderman 4 will probably be Bland slop, why not take a chance on someone and actually do something different. Sinners, Barbie, Oppenhiemer - some of the biggest films in the past few years have been director-driven. I think audiences will only leave their homes for a new exciting experience ever since the pandemic. Even Barbara, before she left, said its not the time to play it safe. It's everything or nothing.
A repeat of two directors who gave us some of the most successful modern Bond films? It’d be a disaster ;)
It's notable that none of these names are out of left field. In fact, every single one except Paul King has been mentioned in reports of being involved with the Broccoli reign of Bond. And even King isn't a shock - his long working relationship with David Heyman has already had him floating around the edges of this conversation in recent months. This is certainly a safe list.
So, where do I land?
Personally, I think Denis Villeneuve is the one to beat. He loves Bond, has spoken about it passionately - watch at 38 minutes in the video below, and has the gravitas to bring something iconic. The only hitch? He’s lined up to do Dune: Messiah. If Amazon’s timeline is as aggressive as it seems (shooting by late 2026 to hit a 2027 release), then that’s going to be a tight squeeze, even for someone like Denis. Would he delay Bond? Would Amazon wait? That’s the big scheduling question.
If not Denis, then I’d bet on Edward Berger. Berger has the right mix of weight and momentum - exactly what the post-Craig reset might need. The tank, flamethrower and brutal killing of the solider scene in All Quiet sold me on him as a candidate.
As for Paul King, I adore his films, but his track record is in family fantasy. Could he pivot into something darker and more adult? Maybe. Even the campier Bonds (The Spy Who Loved Me, Live and Let Die) had teeth beneath the fun. If this is his moment to code switch, I’m curious (but cautious).
Now to the one I’m just not buying: Edgar Wright. Yes, he’s talented. Yes, Baby Driver was stylish. But to me, he leans too juvenile. Last Night in Soho was his only semi-serious attempt, and it was fine but not groundbreaking. Wright gives off the vibe of an overgrown millennial record store clerk: obsessed with cult genre films, stuck in nostalgia.
And Jonathan Nolan? I just don’t take him seriously as a director, he hasn’t made a single feature. Maybe he’s better suited as a screenwriter or world-builder, not the one calling the shots on set. He has a history with Amazon, so not surprised he got the meeting.
Matt Belloni already called this the "shortlist" on Twitter, but I imagine we’ll see more names emerge once the trades dig in. But it’s exciting that movement is finally happening and if things go to plan, we’ll have our new Bond director locked before the end of summer!
Yes, they were successful 10 to 15 years ago, with diminishing returns mind you. I think at some point they need to change course and innovative, even if they were successful in the past, to prevent staleness.
I don’t think there’s any indication we’d get ‘more of the same’ under Berger or any director. Even if Bond 26 has some sort of similarities to the later Craig era.
Yeah, probably. More Le Carrè than Fleming.
What's Sneider on about. Berger is already on the record as saying he talked with EON, but wont do Bond as long as Amazon are involved.
Also theres rumours that Cuaron never left the picture and is still in the running.
Never say never.
And he did sooooo well with NSNA.
To be fair, he was only acting in that one.
I think Berger’s showed he could do very dark comedy in Patrick Melrose (and I’ve been told by members on here he’s done at least one other show with that sort of tone). His later work is very stylish too. I can easily see that being honed to Bond.
Most Bond films have been succesful, Fukunagi directed the third most successful film of the Daniel Craig Era if you're talking pure box office. And I reckon most people have No time to die fourth or fifth in their DC rankings.
I wouldn't mind seeing somebody like Richard Curtis or Kosinski do a Bond film. If Michael Apted can direct a Bond, then the door is wide open.
Great write up @Pierce2Daniel fair pro and con reasons for all. Everyone knows my big worry with Bond 26: Purvis and Wade returning. If Jon Nolan is writing, you can bet that Chris Nolan will be calling him nonstop for ideas. If not, it's going to be some rough Thanksgivings and Christmases.
Most casual viewers wouldn’t rank their favourite Craig Bond films anyway and instead just go from how they felt about the Bond films. These films made money and gave Bond a good degree of critical praise. That can’t be ignored, and I know it annoys some of us here (to some extent myself included!)
But all of this is absolutely irrelevant anyway. I think the new producers should go with the director they believe will deliver the best Bond film and is available to them.
All in on a new era
It's a shut case. Future films will just go through the motion and damage the brand, just like they do with every brand they buy.
Yes, no first time director has ever directed a Bond film....
well....I know one
That means waiting until late '28 or '29 but very well could be the case.
It made a lot of sense when he was linked to doing a new Bourne film.
Casual viewers have favorites. Likely Casino Royale and Skyfall. Likewise most people like Superman 1 and 2 over Superman 4. I think most cinema-goers probably didn't walk out of NTTD liking the movie very much.