Steven Knight, the acclaimed creator of “Peaky Blinders” whose film credits include David Cronenberg’s “Eastern Promises” and Pablo Larraín’s “Spencer” and “Maria,” has been tapped to write Denis Villeneuve’s untitled James Bond film.
The move represents the second major puzzle piece for fans attempting to discern what the next era of the spy franchise might look like. Following the departure of Daniel Craig after “No Time to Die,” the departure of longtime producer Barbara Broccoli following Amazon’s acquisition of MGM, and the hiring of Amy Pascal and David Heyman as the franchise’s new stewards, the new film will kick off the Amazon era of the series with perhaps the blankest slate since “Dr. No” came out in 1963.
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With six previous leading men and films ranging from utterly campy to deadly serious, the 007 franchise has proven its ability to fit into whatever mold its creative team desires. The hirings of Villeneuve and Knight suggest that the untitled new film will continue in the vein of the the darker, more realistic James Bond that we saw during the Daniel Craig era.
Knight has been one of England’s most prolific TV and film writers over the past three decades, working on 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 at various points in British history.
Knight’s involvement also neutralizes what was arguably Villeneuve’s only weakness relative to other directors in the mix for the job: the fact that he isn’t British. Villeneuve has established himself as one of his generation’s great blockbuster auteurs, capable of applying a distinct artistic vision to massive studio projects based on pre-existing I.P. in an era that’s frequently derided for its formulaic output. 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 could result in the perfect blend of spectacle and specificity.
No title or release date have been announced for the new Bond movie, though production is expected to begin after Villeneuve finishes “Dune: Messiah.” With both the writer and director firmly in place, the next domino to fall will almost certainly be the actor taking up the 007 mantle.
