James Bond 26 tipped to take major production step later this year – as rumours of new frontrunner mount

Fans have been waiting a long time for the next James Bond film, but finally it seems we may know when Denis Villeneuve's movie will go into production.

The Sun has reported that the new film will start filming at the end of 2026, which certainly chimes with previous reports that it would only go into production after Villeneuve is done with his current film Dune Part 3. That movie is scheduled for release in December of this year.

The publication also reports that work has already begun on assembling the crew and getting "all of the production ducks in a row", while it states that Jacob Elordi is currently the frontrunner to take on the role of the iconic spy.

Elordi, who would be 29 by the proposed start of filming, can currently be seen starring opposite Margot Robbie in Wuthering Heights.

Radio Times has reached out for Amazon MGM Studios for comment.

This isn't the first time Elordi's name has been in the mix for the role – a previous report suggested that he, Harris Dickinson and Tom Holland were all in the frame, while recent speculation has hinged more on Callum Turner being a potential favourite.

Of course, nothing has yet been confirmed on the casting front. All we currently know is that Villeneuve will be directing the film, Amy Pascal and David Heyman will be producing and Steven Knight will be writing the script.

Recently, Knight told The Radio Times Writers' Room that he is having a "fantastic time" writing the screenplay, before adding: "Obviously with Bond, what you're dealing with is now a character of folklore, really.

"It's like Robin Hood or King Arthur, in the context of the culture of this country and beyond. And so you've got to treat it with respect."

Watch a clip from our interview with Steven Knight below:

Meanwhile, it has been reported that Villeneuve only currently has a deal to direct one Bond film, and that he will reportedly not be given final cut on it.

The director has previously called himself a "die-hard Bond fan" and said that "to me, he’s sacred territory".

James Bond 26 will be released in cinemas.

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