For a moment, it seemed like James Bond had become the enemy of the people. I’m February, Amazon MGM Studios announced it had acquired the character's rights from the Broccoli family of producers, who had overseen the superspy for most the hero's cinematic lifespan.

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.

Amazon MGM Studios just named Quebecois auteur Denis Villeneuve the head of the next James Bond movie (colloquially known as "Bond 26" until a real title comes along). Now wielding the keys to the Aston Martin,