Sir Steve McQueen could be about to direct a 007 film.
The moviemaker — who made history as the first Black filmmaker to win an Academy Award for Best Picture with 12 Years A Slave — is currently promoting his new film Blitz. Insiders have claimed that Eon Productions is interested in taking the reins on an installment of their James Bond spy franchise.
“Steve is one of the U.K.’s best filmmakers and has an incredible vision,” a source told The Sun‘s “Bizarre” column.
“The word is that the Bond producers wanted to see if Steve would ever consider having a hand in one of the films and they got a positive response,” the source said. “It would be incredible if it came off.”
McQueen’s journey to potential Bond director is marked by remarkable achievements in both the art and film worlds. Beginning his career as a visual artist, he demonstrated his versatility by winning the prestigious Turner Prize in 1999 before transitioning into filmmaking. His debut feature film Hunger (2008) immediately established him as a force in cinema, earning him the Camera d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.
The filmmaker’s dedication to his craft and contributions to British culture was recognized when he was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2020. His recent work includes the critically acclaimed “Small Axe” anthology series for BBC, showcasing his ability to tell powerful, culturally significant stories across different formats.
McQueen’s artistic foundation was built during his time at Chelsea College of Arts and Goldsmiths College, where he developed his distinctive visual style. His artwork has earned international recognition and is now held in prestigious institutions including the Tate Modern and Museum of Modern Art, or MoMA. In 2009, he represented Britain at the Venice Biennale, further cementing his status as a versatile artist.
His venture into mainstream cinema with 2018’s Widows, adapted from a 1983 British TV series, demonstrated his ability to blend artistic vision with commercial appeal. This balance could prove crucial for the Bond franchise, which demands both artistic integrity and mass entertainment value. The British Film Institute recognized his contributions to cinema by awarding him a fellowship in 2014, one of the highest honors in British film.
Little is known about the future of the spy franchise but following the departure of Daniel Craig — who had played the leading role for nearly 15 years — Aaron Taylor-Johnson was heavily rumored to be stepping into his shoes.
Shortly afterward, Hollywood director David Leitch spoke of his hopes that he would be able to make the film and praised the supposed casting.
“He would be an amazing James Bond. I’ll just go on the record like, I’ve never gotten to do enough action with Aaron, which is crazy. We’ve done Bullet Train and now, we’ve done The Fall Guy. What I really want to do is an action movie with him, because he’s such an incredible athlete. Like, Aaron is awesome. So, maybe we’ll get that opportunity soon, and I’ll get to direct Bond,” Leitch told CinemaBlend.com.
It was reported earlier this year that Eon Productions — the company behind the franchise — had contacted Taylor-Johnson with a formal offer for the part and ex-Bond Pierce Brosnan gave his seal of approval to the potential casting.
“I think the man has the chops and the talent and the charisma to play Bond, very much so.” Brosnan said during an appearance on “The Ray D’Arcy Show” on RTE Radio 1.
If McQueen takes on the Bond franchise, it would mark another significant milestone in his already impressive career. His unique visual style — developed through years of experience in both fine arts and filmmaking — could bring a fresh perspective to the iconic spy series while maintaining its beloved elements. His proven track record of creating visually stunning and narratively compelling works across multiple mediums suggests he could be an excellent choice to shepherd the next chapter of James Bond’s cinematic journey.
