Almost every British filmmaker dreams of making a Bond movie — I don’t even know if such an American equivalent even exists, to be honest — and although Duncan Jones might get that opportunity later in his career, the second-best option has been found for now. As Empire reports, the Moon and Source Code helmer will next helm a biopic of Ian Fleming, creator of both James Bond and, to various degrees, stories that inspired silver screen exploits these past fifty years.

While currently untitled, the film will take its cues from Andrew Lycett‘s Ian Fleming: The Man Behind James Bond, an authorized biography that details exploits Fleming would utilize for his Bond books — Cold War maneuvering, womanizing, intrigue, and all-out tactical operations among them. Jones‘ frequent producer, Stuart Fenegan, says we can expect “a period action film,” while Jones is also hoping to shed a little light on the divide between Ian Fleming and the spy he created. Considering the impact his work has had on cinema history, casting on this one should be interesting; James McAvoy was once rumored for the part, but the more-than-two-year date on that news has me thinking it’s probably not going to happen.

Oh, back to the concrete. A Cold War actioner is not territory I ever expected an avowed sci-fi enthusiast to find himself in, but a big Jones fan, such as myself, finds themselves enormously happy — especially since the effort can help him develop a broader public exposure. Would I have preferred to first see the forever-developing Mute, or even this mysterious, second science fiction project? Well, sure, but I’m not in the mood to grumble about Duncan Jones‘ Cold War drama, for Christ’s sake.

Fenegan and Jones‘ Liberty Films, K5 Film, PalmStar Media Capital, and Animus Films are all producing; shooting is expected to get underway by the end of this year.

Are you anxious to see Jones try his hand at Ian Fleming?