James Bond is officially heading back to the big screen, and the next chapter will be penned by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight.
Amazon MGM Studios confirmed Knight’s appointment on Thursday, revealing that he will write the screenplay for the 26th installment in the iconic spy franchise. The studio also reaffirmed that acclaimed director Denis Villeneuve, known for Dune and Blade Runner 2049, will direct the film.
The new Bond film will be the first since No Time to Die premiered in 2021, closing out Daniel Craig’s five-film tenure as 007. Since then, fans have waited for a clear direction on the franchise’s future.
Knight, whose crime drama Peaky Blinders became a global sensation, brings a reputation for gritty storytelling and complex character development. His credits extend beyond television. He co-created Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, wrote Taboo, and contributed to series like See, This Town, and All the Light We Cannot See. He has also published four novels.
Amazon MGM acquired creative control of the Bond franchise earlier this year. The move marked a shift in the long-running film series, originally launched in 1962 with Dr. No. The 25 Bond films to date have earned over $7 billion globally.
Although the new film’s release date and title have not been announced, production is moving forward. Villeneuve and Knight are expected to shape the tone of Bond’s return, with a fresh narrative following Craig’s dramatic exit.
Casting for the next Bond remains the franchise’s best-kept secret. Despite speculation naming Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Harris Dickinson, Tom Holland, Jacob Elordi, and Kingsley Ben-Adir among potential successors, no official announcement has been made.
Fans continue to eagerly wait for updates, as the new team works to deliver the next era of the world’s most famous spy James Bond.
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