Bond 26 to Shoot Next Year — Still No Director Attached

Here’s a report from DanielRPK. The next James Bond film is quietly inching forward, with the plan currently being to begin filming sometime in 2026. No director is attached, no actor has officially been cast, and yet, behind the scenes, the usual wheels are turning.

There’s been a steady trickle of names making the rounds for who could be the next 007. One name Richtman heard that hasn’t really been out there yet: Aaron Pierre. The “Old” and “Rebel Ridge” actor is being considered for the role, though it’s unclear if he’s actually met with the producers yet. Still, the fact that his name is coming up says a lot about the kind of presence they’re looking for in the next Bond.

This is still very early days, and the lack of a director signals that Amazon/MGM have yet to have a fully fleshed out vision. They’re playing the long game here. The post-Craig era will likely define Bond for the next decade, so expect them to take their time before making any public announcements.

Last month, Puck’s Matt Belloni revealed that he’d heard Alfonso Cuarón could direct Bond 26, adding that the filmmaker had met with Amazon and has a new “take” for how the next one would look like.

It wasn’t too long after that I was told that Cuarón was out of the running for Bond 26. Nothing’s changed on that front, as far as I can tell. The name that keeps floating to the top, though? Steve McQueen. The Oscar winner’s got a solid relationship with Amazon/MGM, and I wouldn’t be shocked if talks have already taken place behind closed doors.

McQueen joins the usual rotation of rumored names—Denis Villeneuve, Yann Demange, Philip Barantini—all still being whispered about. No surprises there.

Now, here’s where things get interesting: I’m told Amazon/MGM have quietly locked in a May 20, 2027 release date for an untitled film. Could it be Bond? Maybe. But what’s more than a little intriguing is that the date just so happens to mark what would be Ian Fleming’s 120th birthday. Coincidence? Maybe. Maybe not. Regardless, something’s definitely brewing on the Bond front.