Steven Knightthe acclaimed creator of “Peaky Blinds” whose film The credits include David Cronenberg’s “Eastern Promises” and Pablo Larraín’s “Spencer” and “Maria”, have been dropped to write Denis Villeneuve’s Untitled James Bond movie.
The move represents the other large piece of puzzle for fans who try to discern what the next era of the spy franchise can look like. After Daniel Craig’s departure after “no time to die”, Departure of the long producer Barbara Broccoli Following Amazon’s acquisition of MGM and employment of Amy Pascal and David Heyman As Franchiset’s new manager, the new film will start the series of Amazon with perhaps the empty slate since “Dr. No” came out in 1963.
With six former leading men and films ranging from completely camps to deadly seriously, the 007 franchise has proven its ability to fit into the mold that its creative team wants. The rents from Villeneuve and Knight suggest that the titled new film will continue in the darker, more realistic James Bond As we saw under the Daniel Craig.
Knight has been one of England’s most productive television and film writers for the past three decades and worked with everything from game shows to Charles Dickens adaptations. But he is best known for projects like “Peaky Blinders”, “Taboo” and “SAS: War Heroes” – all period pieces that focus on social outsiders on different points in British history.
Knight’s commitment also neutralizes what was undoubtedly Villaneuve’s only weakness in relation to other directors in the mix of the job: the fact that he is not British. Villeneuve has established itself as one of its generation’s large blockbuster-auturs, which can apply a distinct artistic vision to massive studio projects based on existing IP in an era that is often discouraged for its formula exit. But the James Bond franchise is one of Britain’s proudest cultural exports and pairing the French-speaking Canadian director with a writer whose career has been defined by his knowledge of British history can lead to a perfect mix of spectacle and specificity.
No title or release date has been announced to the new Bond film, although production is expected to begin after Villaneuuve has completed “Dune: Messiah.” With both the author and the director stuck on the spot, the next domino will almost certainly be the actor who takes up the 007 mantle.
