Writer Steven Knight Teases His Plans for James Bond

Steven Knight is teasing us with his plans for the next era of James Bond.

Amazon MGM Studios confirmed on Thursday that Peaky Blinders mastermind Knight will be taking on the script for Denis Villeneuve‘s 007 film. Knight, also the writer of Netflix’s House of Guinness, Disney’s A Thousand Blows and 2024’s Angelina Jolie-starring Maria, spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast on Friday to talk more.

“It has always been on my bucket list and it’s fantastic to be invited to do it — I can’t wait to get started,” the Englishman said. “I’m hoping that, being a Bond fan for so many years, it will be imbued into me and I will be able to produce something that’s the same but different, and better, stronger and bolder.”

When asked about who could be tapped to take on Ian Fleming’s iconic role from Daniel Craig, Knight responded: “That is a very, very good question, and one I can’t give you the answer to.”

Knight’s involvement came about when he was invited for a meeting with producer Amy Pascal — but wasn’t told why.

“I very quickly discovered what it was about and became very excited and hopeful,” he continued. “And then the process is…you do some meetings, you discuss some ideas and then you find out you’ve got it. I found out a while ago, but it was announced last night, which is great.”

Knight agreed it was a “high pressure” job, but added: “You’ve just got to do what you do, do it as well as you can.”

A myriad of names have been thrown about for who could portray the next Bond, with rumors that Jacob Elordi, Tom Holland and Harris Dickinson are all in the running. Earlier this week, Taron Egerton ruled himself out of the running after telling Collider he is “too messy” for the role.

Dune‘s Villeneuve was confirmed to direct the next instalment after stepsiblings Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson formally handed over the rights to Amazon this year.

“I grew up watching James Bond films with my father,” the Canadian gushed in a statement after the news broke. “I’m a die-hard Bond fan. To me, he’s sacred territory. I intend to honor the tradition and open the path for many new missions to come.