Exclusive: Matthew Vaughn Top Choice For James Bond Reboot

By Michileen Martin | Updated

matthew vaughn
Matthew Vaughn

From Kingsman to MI6? It seems likely. Our trusted and proven sources tell us that filmmaker Matthew Vaughn has emerged as the top choice to helm the next James Bond movie. If it happens, he could very well be reunited with an old friend.

We’ve exclusively learned Matthew Vaughn is the top choice to direct the next James Bond feature film.

If he is ultimately chosen for the job, it’s likely no one will be more surprised than Matthew Vaughn himself. The director was asked about the chance of directing a Bond feature at the end of 2021, while he was busy promoting the Kingsman prequel, The King’s Man. He assured ScreenRant and others they shouldn’t hold their breath.

“I don’t think the Bond people would touch me with a stick,” Matthew Vaughn said. “I don’t think- They don’t like me. I don’t know. You know, to be blunt. I love Bond. It’s obviously a huge influence on me… You wait till you see Argyle.

Matthew Vaughn didn’t expand upon why he thought the “Bond people” didn’t like him. The most obvious answer would seem to be they potentially see his work — particularly his Kingsman series — as their biggest competition. The series’ heroes are British secret agents, with some obvious inspiration culled from the James Bond franchise.

In the past decade three Kingsman films have been released, a fourth one is on the way, and a television series spinoff is in development.

I don’t think the Bond people would touch me with a stick. I don’t think- They don’t like me. I don’t know. You know, to be blunt. I love Bond. It’s obviously a huge influence on me… You wait till you see Argyle.

-Matthew Vaughn

Then there’s Matthew Vaughn’s spy action thriller Argylle, starring former James Bond hopeful Henry Cavill (The Witcher), which will hit theaters February 2, 2024. The film is based on the upcoming debut novel of the same name by Elly Conway and boasts an impressive cast that includes Bryce Dallas Howard (Jurassic World), Samuel L. Jackson (Secret Invasion), Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad), Sam Rockwell (Iron Man 2), Catherine O’Hara (Schitt’s Creek), and Dua Lipa (Barbie).

Matthew Vaughn And Aaron Taylor-Johnson

aaron taylor-johnson
Aaron Taylor-Johnson in Bullet Train

Whether or not Matthew Vaughn was right in December 2021 about the “Bond people” not wanting to go near him, that clearly isn’t the case now. If he winds up helming the reboot, he could once more collaborate with an actor he’s worked with quite a bit: Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Kick-Ass).

Back in January we exclusively reported that Taylor-Johnson was in final negotiations to become the next James Bond. Assuming the Kraven the Hunter star got the part, it has yet to be confirmed.

If Matthew Vaughn and Aaron Taylor-Johnson collaborate on the next James Bond film, it will be their fourth feature working together. Vaughn directed the former Avenger in 2010’s Kick-Ass, was a producer on Kick-Ass 2, and directed him a third time in The King’s Man.