What Happened to James Bond (Franchise)?
The James Bond franchise has entered a new era following Daniel Craig's departure in 2021, with Amazon MGM Studios taking creative control of future film productions in 2025. While a new cinematic James Bond is actively being sought, the franchise has expanded into other media, including a successful video game and an audio drama series, ensuring 007's continued global presence. The next film is in early development with a new creative team, aiming for a theatrical release no earlier than 2028.
Quick Answer
After Daniel Craig's final outing in *No Time To Die* (2021), the James Bond franchise is undergoing a significant reboot under the creative control of Amazon MGM Studios, which partnered with long-time producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson in 2025. Denis Villeneuve is set to direct the next film, with Steven Knight writing the script, and a new actor for James Bond is currently being cast, with auditions progressing in August 2026. Concurrently, the franchise has diversified with the successful release of the *007 First Light* video game in May 2026 and a new 'Young Bond' audio series slated for October 2026.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
Daniel Craig's Final Film, 'No Time To Die', Premieres
The 25th official James Bond film, 'No Time To Die', marks Daniel Craig's fifth and final appearance as James Bond, concluding his acclaimed 15-year tenure.
60th Anniversary Concert at Royal Albert Hall
To celebrate 60 years of James Bond films, 'The Sound of 007 in Concert' is held at the Royal Albert Hall, featuring performances by Dame Shirley Bassey and other artists.
Release of 'The Sound of 007' Documentary
The documentary 'The Sound of 007', exploring six decades of Bond music, premieres on Prime Video as part of the 60th-anniversary celebrations.
Amazon MGM Studios Gains Creative Control of Film Franchise
Amazon MGM Studios and Eon Productions announce a new joint venture, with Amazon MGM taking creative control of the James Bond film franchise, while Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson remain co-owners.
Amy Pascal and David Heyman Announced as Producers
Hollywood veterans Amy Pascal and David Heyman are confirmed as producers for the next James Bond film, 'Bond 26', under the new Amazon MGM Studios creative control.
Denis Villeneuve Confirmed as Director for 'Bond 26'
Acclaimed filmmaker Denis Villeneuve, known for 'Dune', is officially announced as the director for the upcoming James Bond film, 'Bond 26'.
Steven Knight Named Screenwriter for 'Bond 26'
Steven Knight, creator of 'Peaky Blinders', is confirmed to be writing the screenplay for the next James Bond movie, 'Bond 26'.
Netflix Secures Licensing Deal for James Bond Film Collection
Netflix announces a licensing agreement with Amazon MGM Studios to stream all 25 official James Bond films, with availability beginning in January 2026 in various regions.
Amazon Releases 'Bait' Comedy Series
Amazon debuts 'Bait', a comedy series starring Riz Ahmed about an actor auditioning for the role of James Bond, produced with the blessing of Barbara Broccoli.
Official Search for Next James Bond Actor Confirmed
Amazon MGM Studios officially confirms that the talent search for the next actor to play James Bond is underway, with casting director Nina Gold reportedly leading the process.
'007 First Light' Video Game Released
IO Interactive and Amazon MGM Studios release '007 First Light', an action-adventure video game depicting an original James Bond origin story, which quickly sells millions of units.
Isaac Rouse Cast as Young Bond for 'SilverFin' Audio Drama
Isaac Rouse is cast as a young James Bond for an upcoming audio drama series adapting Charlie Higson's 'Young Bond' novel, 'SilverFin', set for an October 2026 release.
Next Round of Bond Auditions Scheduled for August
Reports confirm that director Denis Villeneuve is personally contacting actors who have advanced to the next stage of auditions for the role of James Bond, with these crucial screen tests scheduled for August 2026.
Charlie Higson's 'King Zero' Novel Release
Charlie Higson, creator of the 'Young Bond' series, is set to release a new adult James Bond thriller titled 'King Zero', further expanding the literary universe.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The iconic James Bond franchise has been in a transitional phase since the critically acclaimed but definitive conclusion of Daniel Craig's tenure as 007 with No Time To Die in September 2021. This film marked the end of a 15-year era that redefined the character with a grittier, more emotionally complex portrayal.
A pivotal turning point for the franchise occurred in February 2025 when Amazon MGM Studios announced a new joint venture with Eon Productions' Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, effectively gaining creative control over future James Bond film productions. While Broccoli and Wilson remain co-owners of the intellectual property, they have stepped back from day-to-day creative duties for the films, signaling a significant shift in the franchise's stewardship. This move followed Amazon's acquisition of MGM in 2022, with the Bond franchise being a key asset in that deal.
Under this new leadership, the development of 'Bond 26' (the working title for the next film) has progressed. In June 2025, acclaimed director Denis Villeneuve, known for his work on the Dune trilogy, was announced to helm the project. Shortly thereafter, in July 2025, Steven Knight, creator of Peaky Blinders, was confirmed as the screenwriter, with Amy Pascal and David Heyman joining as producers. Amazon MGM Studios boss Mike Hopkins has emphasized the goal of making the character 'relevant' for modern audiences while reaffirming the commitment to theatrical releases for future Bond films.
The search for the next actor to portray James Bond officially commenced in May 2026, with casting director Nina Gold reportedly leading the process. As of June 2026, the casting process is in an active phase, with director Denis Villeneuve personally contacting actors who have advanced to the next round of auditions, scheduled for August 2026. While no names have been officially confirmed, reports suggest the studio is looking for a younger, less established actor, possibly in their late 20s or early 30s, capable of a multi-film commitment, with an announcement anticipated by late 2026. The new film is expected to be a reboot, potentially exploring an origin story before Bond earns his '00' status, with a theatrical release unlikely before 2028 or 2029.
Beyond the cinematic realm, the James Bond universe has seen significant expansion. May 2026 saw the highly anticipated release of 007 First Light, an action-adventure video game developed by IO Interactive, which tells an original James Bond origin story. The game received positive reviews and sold 2.7 million units in its first week. Additionally, in June 2026, Isaac Rouse was cast as a young James Bond for an audio drama series adapting Charlie Higson's SilverFin, set to debut in October 2026. The literary Bond also continues, with Charlie Higson's new adult novel King Zero scheduled for September 2026. Furthermore, in December 2025, Netflix secured a licensing deal to stream the entire James Bond film collection, with films becoming available starting January 2026, leading to a resurgence in popularity on the platform.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if James Bond (Franchise) made different choices?