James Bond is returning, and this time, he’s in the hands of Denis Villeneuve and Steven Knight.

After years of speculation, Amazon MGM Studios has confirmed that the visionary director behind Dune, Arrival, and Blade Runner 2049 will direct the next chapter in the long-running 007 franchise. It's a new era for Bond, and one were keenly anticipating here at RUSSH. Below, everything you need to know.

Peaky Blinders' Steven Knight is the latest to join — Who else is involved?

Steven Knight, best known for creating Peaky Blinders, has officially joined the project as screenwriter.

Joining him, Denis Villeneuve will direct the film, and Villeneuve's longtime collaborator Tanya Lapointe is on board as executive producer. Amy Pascal (Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse) and David Heyman (Barbie, Harry Potter) are producing through Pascal Pictures and Heyday Films respectively.

Speaking of his appointment as director, Villeneuve said: “Some of my earliest movie-going memories are connected to 007. I grew up watching James Bond films with my father, ever since ‘Dr. No’ with Sean Connery. I’m a die-hard Bond fan. To me, he’s sacred territory,” Villeneuve said. “I intend to honour the tradition and open the path for many new missions to come. This is a massive responsibility, but also, incredibly exciting for me and a huge honor. Amy, David, and I are absolutely thrilled to bring him back to the screen. Thank you to Amazon MGM Studios for their trust.”

After decades of stewardship under Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, this creative handover represents one of the most distinct shifts in Bond’s cinematic history.

What is it about?

Plot details are still under wraps, but the next film is expected to serve as a creative reset following 2021’s No Time to Die, which saw Daniel Craig bow out after a 15-year run as Bond. That ending left the slate wide open for reinvention, so we're keen to see where Villeneuve takes it.

More to come.