Denis Villeneuve will direct the next James Bond film, with Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight writing a screenplay that he says will focus on the character rather than the actor playing him. Both have set out an ambition to move the series forward while preserving its identity.

For Villeneuve, the French-Canadian director behind Dune, Arrival, Sicario and Blade Runner 2049, the appointment carries a personal connection stretching back to childhood cinema-going with his father.

“I'm a die-hard Bond fan. To me, he's sacred territory,” he said last year, recalling watching the films from Dr. No, starring Sean Connery, onwards.

“I intend to honour the tradition and open the path for many new missions to come. This is a massive responsibility, but also, incredibly exciting for me and a huge honour.”

Knight, whose television work includes House of Guinness and whose film credits include Spencer and Locke, said writing Bond had always been on his “bucket list”. He described joining the franchise as “doing my duty for King and country”.

His intention to “write the character, not the actor” puts Bond’s established identity at the centre of his approach to the screenplay for Bond 26.

“The thing with Bond is it's its own universe and franchise. So there are certain rules,” Knight said. He stressed his affection for its British identity and its distinction from DC and Marvel, while acknowledging the need to develop it.

The creative intentions are therefore clearer than the story itself: Villeneuve promises room for future missions, while Knight sees the franchise’s existing rules as a framework for change. Neither has set out here what that balance will mean for Bond’s next adventure.