*Courtesy of John Nacion/Getty Images, Syspeo/SIPA. Michael Tran/AFP via Getty Images.*

The 26th James Bond movie is gaining momentum, with pitches from several acclaimed directors being heard by producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman.

When Amazon acquired MGM for $8.5 billion in 2022, they inherited one of Hollywood’s most iconic properties: the James Bond franchise. Eager to kick-start a new era of Bond films, Amazon’s ambitions were initially slowed by creative clashes with longtime producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli.

To break the stalemate, Amazon reportedly paid the producers an additional $1 billion earlier this year, securing creative control of the franchise. With that hurdle cleared, they brought on Amy Pascal (Pascal Pictures) and David Heyman (Heyday Films) to produce the next Bond installment.

Pascal and Heyman will oversee the casting of the new James Bond, with names like Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Aaron Pierre floating around. But their priority: finding a director.

Heyman’s original choice was Alfonso Cuarón, known for ‘Children of Men,’ ‘Gravity,’ and ‘Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.’ However, Cuarón has reportedly declined the offer.

The shortlist for the Bond 26 director now includes Edward Berger (‘Conclave’), Denis Villeneuve (‘Dune’), Edgar Wright (‘Baby Driver’), Paul King (‘Paddington’), and Jonathan Nolan (‘Fallout’). Berger is the only one who has already pitched his vision to the producers, though the others are expected to meet with the team in the coming weeks.

There has also been speculation that Christopher Nolan — an outspoken Bond fan — might finally direct a film in the franchise. However, Nolan’s demand for final cut has long been a sticking point, and with him currently committed to ‘The Odyssey’ (set to release July 17, 2026), he’s unavailable. Still, his brother Jonathan Nolan has emerged as a contender to step in.

The decision on a director is expected by September, with the goal of beginning production in 2026 and aiming for a 2027 release. Denis Villeneuve may be ruled out by scheduling conflicts, as he’s preparing to film ‘Dune Messiah,’ which is due in theaters December 16, 2026.

More details to follow.

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