The tentatively named Bond 26, coinciding with the potential 2026 release, has had fans of the British Secret Agent speculating on the direction of the franchise after 2021’s No Time to Die. Producer Barbara Broccoli has suggested that the new movie will see a “reinvention” of James Bond, indicating significant changes to the character in the upcoming film. However, we still don’t know who will play Bond, which of Ian Flemming’s novels will be adapted, or if it can even make a 2026 release window.
There is some exciting news, though, as some developments have been announced. The Telegraph has reported that several directors are being considered to helm the movie, taken from a meeting at Eon Productions UK studios. We will look at each and what they could bring to the table for the next entry in the James Bond franchise.
Edward Berger
German filmmaker Edward Berger made an impact and a name for himself with his remake of All Quiet on the Western Front, which would go on to win four Oscars. It was a triumph for Netflix and its continued push to create original, engaging content. His immersive approach to storytelling through both script and visuals could prove a valuable asset for a more introspective Bond. Moreover, Berger has proven he has a knack for creating sleek visuals that would make him a perfect match.
Kelly Marcel
Kelly Marcel has yet to make her directorial debut, but her first film, Venom: The Last Dance, will be released this October. Still, Marcel is not an entirely new face, and her work as a writer on the Venom franchise, Saving Mr. Banks, and Cruella make her an exciting prospect. Perhaps we could see a more irreverent version of Bond backed by a sharp wit that Marcel has proven many times over that she has the skill to create through her writing.
David Michôd
Director David Michôd is known for breaking down characters and exploring them through vulnerabilities and moral ambiguities, often leading to tragic downfalls, an approach that the director has cited himself as “Delusional Man canon.” This is highlighted in his movies Animal Kingdom and The King. Taking this approach with Bond does make David Michôd an exciting choice if the goal is to reinvent the character in a substantive way that goes beyond surface-level tweaks.
Bart Layton
Bart Layton‘s hybrid documentary-narrative style, which blurs the lines between documentary and scripted drama, could bring James Bond to the screen in a new light. Combined with the director’s fascination with true crime, as seen in The Imposter and American Animals, we could have a very immersive and grounded interpretation of the British secret agent. Layton is still a relative newcomer as a director, but this match should have fans confident that James Bond would be in good hands.
Yann Demange
Yann Demange comes from the critical success of his most recent work, 71′, as the primary reason for having him as a potential pick to helm Bond 26. While not a commercial success, the movie highlights Demange as a filmmaker who can handle complex characters with a gritty realism that could be an ideal fit for James Bond. Demange is currently working on two projects in pre-production, a remake of David Cronenberg’s Scanners and a sci-fi drama called Exit Week, so whether he will even be available may hinder the goal of a 2026 James Bond movie.
While these names are speculative at this time, according to information from The Telegraph through meetings held at Eon Productions, each director’s name offers an exciting choice for Bond 26. Our top choice would be Edward Berger, but any of these names could bring something unique to the James Bond franchise. No Time to Die, the latest film in the Bond franchise, is streaming on Peacock.
