The next James Bond movie has found its director, and it is none other than Denis Villeneuve, the filmmaker behind Dune. In June 2025, Amazon MGM confirmed that Villeneuve had been tapped to helm the next installment featuring the iconic Agent 007, with Amy Pascal and David Heyman serving as producers.

Villeneuve’s recent track record makes him an exciting choice, but it also means that the door remains open for Christopher Nolan, who was deemed a fan favorite in the race for the director’s chair. While we are excited about Villeneuve’s take on the iconic British superspy, Nolan could also direct a future installment, and here’s why.

In June 2025, reports emerged that Amazon MGM, the current owners of rights to the James Bond franchise, were hearing pitches from a shortlist of directors, including Jonathan Nolan, Edgar Wright, and Denis Villeneuve, among others.

Later in the same month, a report from Variety revealed that Villeneuve would be directing Bond 26, which is expected to cast a fresh face to replace Daniel Craig, who previously played the iconic character. In the same press release, Villeneuve admitted to being a lifelong fan of the Bond movies, especially Sean Connery’s iteration.

Villeneuve made the above statement after securing what is arguably the most-coveted director’s chair in British film.

I intend to honor the tradition and open the path for many new missions to come.

Despite the Dune filmmaker’s recent success, Christopher Nolan also remains in contention for a future installment in the franchise. Villeneuve has mostly made a name for himself outside the studio system, and it’s unclear whether he will stick around with the Bond films in the long run.

Villeneuve is known for his creative spirit, which might not align with Amazon MGM’s oversight of the Bond franchise. Similar instances can be seen with the previous iteration of the character, as Daniel Craig’s run saw Sam Mendes step down as director after helming two installments.

Therefore, Nolan could be tapped in, provided his schedule allows for him to tackle the world of Agent 007. The Dark Knight trilogy director came close to directing a Bond movie after his work on TENET. However, reports suggest a deal wasn’t struck over differences with producer Barbara Broccoli (via The Week).

With Broccoli no longer associated with the IP, Nolan might still have a shot at the fan favorite character in the future. However, all eyes are now set on Villeneuve’s iteration of Agent 007. The filmmaker is currently expected to start production on the third installment of his Dune franchise.

Provided the film maintains its expected December 2026 release date (via The Wrap), Villeneuve could start scripting the next Bond movie, which could then be expected to for a 2027 release at the earliest. Villeneuve is known for his dynamic visual style and complex characters, which could add a whole new dimension to the franchise, making for a thrilling Bond 26.