“Bond 26”: Rebuilding the Legend – James Bond Prepares to Return With a New Look Under Amazon’s Hands
After Daniel Craig ended his 15-year journey as spy 007 in No Time To Die (2021), the future of the James Bond brand became more uncertain than ever. However, with Amazon officially taking control of MGM – the film studio that owns the Bond brand – Bond 26 is being rebooted with a completely new vision: modern, profound and more global than ever.
🎬 Project Formation Background
In 2022, Amazon completed the acquisition of MGM for nearly $8.5 billion. One of MGM’s most valuable assets is the James Bond brand – a spy action film series that has been around for more than 60 years. After a long period of consideration, producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson confirmed that Bond 26 will be a “soft reboot” – meaning there will be a new Bond, a new story, but the core spirit will still be retained: a charming, mysterious, intelligent and deadly spy.
“We don’t want to just replace another actor in the role of Bond. We are rewriting the DNA of the series,” Barbara Broccoli told The Guardian.
🧔 Who Will Be the Next James Bond?
One of the most talked about questions right now is: Who will replace Daniel Craig?
Currently, there is no official announcement. However, according to many reputable sources, the list of potential candidates has been narrowed down to a few names:
Aaron Taylor-Johnson – The actor of Bullet Train and Kick-Ass is the most promising candidate. He has been invited to audition at Pinewood Studios and is said to be “very suitable for the role”.
James Norton – Famous for his role in Happy Valley, Norton is highly regarded for his classic Bond looks and charisma.
Richard Madden – Having made a name for himself in BBC’s Bodyguard, Madden has a powerful modern spy persona.
Regé-Jean Page – If Amazon wants a more diverse and groundbreaking Bond, Page is a logical choice with the global appeal of Bridgerton.
In addition, Henry Cavill, although mentioned a lot, is now “too old” for the brand rejuvenation direction that Amazon is pursuing.
🎥 Director – Who Will Direct the New Bond?
Amazon and EON Productions are considering many leading directors. Some notable names include:
Christopher Nolan – Although he has publicly stated that “directing Bond is a dream,” Nolan seems to be too busy with personal projects.
Edward Berger (All Quiet on the Western Front) – A serious contender with a dark, European cinematic style.
Greta Gerwig and Denis Villeneuve have also been mentioned in the rumors, but nothing has been confirmed.
There is no official confirmation yet, but the producer said the project is in “early active development”, with the script being completed from early 2025.
🌍 Where to Film?
With London authorities imposing restrictions on filming in the central area until 2026 to prepare for major events, the crew is looking for alternative locations. The city of Liverpool is being targeted as a top choice, thanks to its historic beauty and logistical feasibility.
In addition, following the tradition of Bond films, many international locations will also be featured, from Europe, the Middle East to Asia.
🕵️ Plot – What Will Bond Do Next?
According to leaked news from some forums and film sites, Bond 26 will not continue the old storyline but start over - a "New Bond Universe".
The plot is rumored to revolve around a secret organization that uses artificial intelligence to manipulate global elections. Bond - a young spy who has not been hardened by the mission - will have to learn to balance the coldness of MI6 and personal conscience in a chaotic world.
In addition to eye-catching action elements, the film is expected to incorporate modern social themes: privacy, surveillance technology, cyber warfare and multipolarism in global politics.
🔮 The Future of the James Bond Universe
Amazon is not just stopping at single films. Many sources said that the company is planning to expand the brand with spin-off TV series, which may revolve around:
The MI6 intelligence system and other agents besides Bond.
Moneypenny or Q. Biography
An Archer-style animated series for adults.
This could transform James Bond from a movie brand into a multi-layered cinematic universe (franchise universe) like Marvel or Star Wars.
🧨 Conclusion
With the powerful financial backing of Amazon, the veteran production team of EON and the excitement of millions of global fans, Bond 26 promises to be not only an entertaining action movie, but also a re-imagining of a global cultural icon.
In an era where competition for content is fiercer than ever, James Bond must return – and this time it will be unlike any other.
Are you excited for Bond 26? Who is your favorite candidate to play 007? Share your thoughts!
