In news that might lift some fans’ spirits, Denis Villeneuve has been tapped to direct the next James Bond feature entry, the first under Amazon MGM Studios’ rule.

Tanya Lapointe, Villeneuve’s moviemaking partner and wife, will serve as executive producer alongside Villeneuve. As previously announced, Amy Pascal and David Heyman have also boarded the project as producers.

“Some of my earliest movie-going memories are connected to 007. I grew up watching James Bond films with my father, ever since Dr. No with Sean Connery. 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,” said the Dune and Blade Runner 2049 director. “This is a massive responsibility, but also, incredibly exciting for me and a huge honor.”

Reportedly, Denis Villeneuve beat out several other directors who met for this film, which included Edward Berger, Edgar Wright, and Paul King. The new Bond will mark the franchise’s 26th film and the follow-up to 2021’s No Time to Die, which was directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga.

It’s unclear when Bond will begin production, considering Villeneuve is preparing to film Dune: Messiah this summer, but the search is underway for a screenwriter.