In the 50-plus years of James Bond, the wait between films has never gone longer than six years. The next entry, and first since Daniel Craig’s dramatic exit, may test that — but things are speeding up.

Denis Villeneuve, the Oscar nominated French-Canadian filmmaker, will direct the next James Bond film, Amazon MGM Studios has announced. In a statement released by the studio, Villeneuve says he is a "die-hard James Bond fan" and intends to "honor the tradition" of the franchise.

Amazon MGM Studios announced earlier this year that it had gained creative control over the Bond franchise after a family had held those duties for more than 60 years.