‘Peaky Blinders’ creator Steven Knight to write new James Bond film

The next James Bond film is beginning to take shape and it’s bringing together two of the most sought-after creative minds in the industry. Deadline has exclusively reported that Steven Knight, the acclaimed creator of Peaky Blinders, has officially been brought on to write the next installment in the iconic spy franchise.

The film is being developed under the banner of Amazon MGM Studios, which gained full creative control of the 007 property earlier this year. Acclaimed filmmaker Denis Villeneuve (Dune, Sicario, Arrival) has already signed on to direct, and the project now rounds out its core creative team with Knight’s involvement.

Producers Amy Pascal (Pascal Pictures) and David Heyman (Heyday Films) are steering the production, while Tanya Lapointe will serve as executive producer. The studio has taken its time assembling its behind-the-scenes team, holding numerous meetings with directors and writers before finalizing its vision for the future of Bond.

While casting rumors continue to swirl around who will next don the tuxedo as 007, insiders say the studio has prioritized locking in a screenwriter. Knight emerged as a front-runner in recent weeks, but his appointment was contingent on a creative sync with Villeneuve, who is currently wrapping up Dune: Part Three. That key meeting reportedly took place last week, with Villeneuve enthusiastically signing off on Knight’s involvement.

Knight brings an extensive pedigree to the table. He is the mind behind several high-profile projects including the Emmy-nominated Taboo (BBC/FX), SAS Rogue Heroes, This Town, The Veil, A Thousand Blows, See (Apple TV+), and All the Light We Cannot See (Netflix), which earned multiple Golden Globe nominations including Best Limited Series.

Knight’s film work includes the Oscar-nominated Dirty Pretty Things and Eastern Promises, along with Spencer, Hummingbird, Locke, and Serenity, all of which he wrote, with several also directed by him. He is also developing the upcoming Peaky Blinders film and the Netflix historical drama House of Guinness.

Beyond his screenwriting accolades, Knight is known for co-creating the global game show phenomenon Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? and has authored four novels. He played a creative role in the 2022 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony in his hometown of Birmingham, England. For his services to drama and the community, he was awarded a CBE in 2020, and in 2023, the Royal Television Society honored him with a Fellowship.

Knight is also the co-director of Digbeth Loc. Studios, a film and TV studio complex in Birmingham that opened last year.

In 2022, Amazon acquired MGM and its extensive library, which includes the James Bond franchise. Earlier this year, Amazon MGM secured a joint venture with Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, giving the studio creative control over the franchise’s future.

With Villeneuve steering the ship and Knight crafting the screenplay, the next Bond chapter is poised to take a bold and imaginative leap. But fans eager to learn who will play the next 007 will have to wait a bit longer. Villeneuve is expected to refocus on Dune while Knight begins writing the script.

Knight is represented by CAA, United Agents, and Davis Law Group.

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