Dune director rumoured to be Eon’s top choice to direct Bond 26.

Denis Villeneuve is the top choice for the next James Bond Director, according to rumours reported here.

The French-Canadian director is known to be a Bond fan and was in talks with Eon to direct what eventually became No Time to Die. He turned it down in favour of his dream project, Dune.

The French-Canadian director is currently working on the release of his upcoming Dune sequel and is also in the process of making Cleopatra. His involvement in those projects might rule him out and there are no other indications that this is anything but rumour.

However, before a new actor is cast in the role of James Bond Eon Productions is almost certain to have a director on board to help shape the next iteration of the series, including overseeing casting the main role. Assuming a 2025 release for Bond 26 we should expect a director to be in place by the end of this year or early 2024 and the next actor announced in late 2024.

It makes sense that Eon would be talking directors now in order to find out who they feel can take the franchise forward, and who is actually available.

What does make this story plausible – unlike recent casting rumours – is the timeframe. Eon does need to appoint a director before any real progress is made on the film.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge has also been mentioned by the UK tabloids recently but her lack of directorial experience would seem to make that a non-starter. Writing is one thing but would Eon really risk a $300 million budget film on a newbie director?