Cary Joji Fukunaga is the first American director to direct an James Bond film in the official series. John Huston and Robert Parrish were the first Americans to direct a Bond feature film, they being 2 of the 5 or 6 directors who directed the unofficial Bond spoof 'Casino Royale' (1967). The director of the unofficial Bond movie, 'Never Say Never Again' (1982), Irvin Kershner, was also American, as was William H. Brown Jr, who was the director of the unofficial 'Casino Royale' (1954) tele-movie.
Of this short promotional video, director Cary Joji Fukunaga "gives a behind-the-scenes look at 'No Time To Die' [2020]" according to the movie's official 007 Site.
Paul McGuigan, Edgar Wright, Christopher McQuarrie, S. J. Clarkson, Jean-Marc Vallée, David Mackenzie, and Yann Demange were all apparently considered to direct the movie at some point. Director Christoper Nolan stated he would not be directing the film. Cary Joji Fukunaga replaced Danny Boyle as the film's director.
Filmmaker Cary Joji Fukunaga is the first director of Asian heritage to direct a James Bond film. 'No Time to Die' (2021) features a Noh mask and ceremonial costume which are of Asian (Japanese) heritage. Bond movies to film in Asia include 'You Only Live Twice' (1967), 'The Man with the Golden Gun' (1974), 'Octopussy' (1983), 'Tomorrow Never Dies' (1997) and 'Skyfall' (2012).
Director Cary Joji Fukunaga was born on 10th July 1977 which was just three days after the World Premiere of 'The Spy Who Loved Me' (1977) on 07/07/77.