New James Bond Movie Starts Filming Late 2026

Steven Knight and Denis Villeneuve team up for a new AI-themed James Bond movie.

New James Bond

Can a secret agent with a “licence to kill” survive a world where the enemy doesn’t have a pulse?

For over six decades, James Bond has thrived on the predictable: a megalomaniac in a hollowed-out volcano, a stolen nuclear warhead, or a high-stakes poker game.

But as filming for the untitled 26th Bond film prepares to kick off in late 2026, the stakes have pivoted. Under the pen of Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight, 007 is reportedly set to face his most existential threat yet: Artificial Intelligence.

It is a poetic collision of the old world and the new—the ultimate human operative versus an algorithm that can predict his every move before he even draws his Walther PPK.

The news, first whispered by The Sun, marks the official end of the longest hiatus in Bond history since the 1980s. With Denis Villeneuve at the helm, we aren’t just getting another action movie; we are getting a cinematic event.

Villeneuve has famously called Bond “sacred territory,” implying that while the technology in the script might be futuristic, the soul of the film will return to the roots planted by Sean Connery in Dr. No.

The Amazon Era Begins

The most jarring shift isn’t the director or the script—it’s the boardroom. Amazon MGM Studios has effectively taken the creative wheel from Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson. This is the first time the “family business” feel of the franchise has been disrupted by a tech giant.

The implications are massive. We are looking at a potential “day-and-date” release where the film hits cinemas and Prime Video simultaneously.

In the 64-year history of the series, this is a radical departure. It’s a gamble that acknowledges a hard truth: to keep Bond relevant, you have to meet the audience where they live.

The Casting Decoy

Every time a new Bond film is announced, the same names circulate like clockwork. Henry Cavill, now 42, remains a fan favorite, but history suggests he may have missed his window.

The studio isn’t just looking for a man who looks good in a tuxedo; they are looking for a decade-long contract.

This puts 28-year-old Jacob Elordi and 36-year-old Callum Turner in the crosshairs. Damson Idris recently attempted to extinguish the rumors at the Golden Globes, calling them “just a testament” to his work.

However, in the world of espionage and Hollywood contracts, a firm denial is often the first step toward a surprise announcement.

Why Fans Are Wrong About AI

The “Counter-Intuitive” reality here is that an AI-focused plot isn’t a gimmick; it’s the only way to make Bond’s skill set matter again. If a computer can hack a drone or crash a stock market, a man who can parkour across rooftops seems obsolete.

By leaning into this conflict, Steven Knight is treating Bond as “folklore”—a Robin Hood for the digital age. He isn’t just a spy; he is the human element in an increasingly inhuman world.

Key Takeaways:

• 2026 Production: Filming begins late autumn/early winter, ending the post-Craig era silence.
• Villeneuve’s Vision: Expect a visually stunning, “sacred” interpretation of the character.
• AI Antagonist: The plot moves away from physical villains to digital, systemic threats.
• Prime Video Integration: The first Bond film likely to have a major streaming-first or simultaneous release strategy.
• The 007 Search: The field is narrowing toward younger actors capable of a multi-film legacy.

The firing gun has been triggered. Whether Bond is dodging bullets in London or firewalls in a server farm, one thing remains certain: the world is finally ready for a new commander.