How Are Bond 26’s Denis Villeneuve And More Planning Their Search For The Next 007? We Now Have An Update

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Although the next James Bond film is likely several years away, early reports suggest it will be a significant change of pace for the franchise-and that’s exciting! With discussions ongoing about who will take over the role of 007 long-term, everyone is wondering how director Denis Villeneuve and his team are handling the search. We now have some new information on that process.

According to Deadline, director Denis Villeneuve – known for films like *Dune* and *Blade Runner 2049* – will begin the search for the next James Bond after he finishes *Dune: Part Three* in 2026. Don’t expect a famous actor to be announced quickly. Villeneuve and the producers are planning a complete reboot, and want to cast a relatively unknown British actor between 28 and 35 years old. They’re searching for someone with a strong, compelling presence and a tough edge. One insider described their ideal candidate as someone with genuine intensity.

The person needs to look instantly dangerous – like they could easily overpower you with their bare hands. Their strength and potential for violence should be obvious at first glance.

The new James Bond is expected to be a more streamlined and gritty version of the character, staying true to the original novels by Ian Fleming. Reportedly, the filmmakers are drawing inspiration from Bond’s earliest adventures – *Casino Royale*, *From Russia With Love*, and *Doctor No* – focusing on his beginnings as a cold and calculating naval officer who became a spy. This Bond will be less about glamorous travel and more of a focused, practical agent.

Okay, so if the rumors are true, it looks like a lot of the actors fans keep hoping for probably won’t be the next Bond. I’m thinking names like Timothée Chalamet, Glen Powell, Jacob Elordi, and Austin Butler – basically anyone who isn’t British – are likely out. It also probably means we can say goodbye to dreams of Idris Elba, Henry Cavill, or Tom Hardy taking on the role. They’re either too famous already, or maybe the producers are looking for someone a bit younger to build the character with for the long term.

This new Bond film won’t continue the story from *No Time to Die*. That version of Bond is definitively gone. Director Denis Villeneuve’s take on 007 is expected to be a fresh start – a completely new actor, a new timeline, and a new team working on the film. According to a source,

It’s a new Bond, a new start, a fresh everything.

This new Bond film will have a completely fresh start, with no actors returning from the Daniel Craig era. Previous Bond transitions often saw actors like Bernard Lee, Lois Maxwell, and Judi Dench reprise their roles with new Bond actors. However, this time, the filmmakers are building a brand new cast and story. Judi Dench is unique in having played M across two different Bond timelines, but for the next film, everything will be new.

The script for the next James Bond film, currently known as *Bond 26*, is still being written by Steven Knight, who’s known for his work on *Peaky Blinders* and *Eastern Promises*. Early indications suggest it will be a more raw and intense movie, with fewer gadgets and a stronger emphasis on realism. It’s expected to capture the feel of the classic Sean Connery films, but with a contemporary style – which sounds very promising!

According to Deadline, the search for the next James Bond actor won’t begin until filming on *Dune: Part Three* is finished. The new 007 movie is currently expected to start filming in 2027 and be released in 2028, potentially with a November release date to maintain the series’ tradition. We will share more information as it becomes available.

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2025-09-24 21:27