NEW YORKFrom the film Duneto Bond, Denis Villeneuve is leaving.
The next James Bond film will be directed by Villeneuve, according to a Wednesday announcement by Amazon MGM Studios. The untitled movie will be the first since the studio took over the renowned film franchise’s creative direction following decades of the Broccoli family’s dominance.
Producers David Heyman and Amy Pascal had insisted that they would write a story and select a director before casting the next Bond. They now have one of Hollywood’s most renowned blockbuster filmmakers, fresh off two critically acclaimed Dune movies.
The 57-year-old French Canadian director claimed in a statement that he grew up watching Bond films.
I’m a huge fan of James Bond. “He’s sacred territory to me,” Villeneuve added. I plan to uphold the custom while paving the way for numerous upcoming missions. This is a tremendous honor and duty, but it’s also quite thrilling for me.
Amazon MGM has been working hard to get the next Bond film off the ground since assuming creative control of the film in February. Additionally, the studio is attempting to win over fans who are afraid of potential spinoffs and who are dubious of the current corporate leadership.
According to Mike Hopkins, the head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, one of the best directors working today is behind James Bond.
The next Bond film will have an impressive team of producers, including Heyman and Pascal, and Villeneuve behind the camera. Villeneuve defeated a group of filmmakers who had been floated for the film, including Jonathan Nolan, brother of Christopher Nolan and co-creator of Westworld, Edward Berger (“Conclave”), Paul King (“Paddington 2”), and Edgar Wright (“Baby Driver”).
According to Pascal and Heyman, Denis Villeneuve has loved James Bond films since he was a young child. Making this film was always his goal, and now it’s also ours.
The next Bond film has not yet been given a release date. This summer, Villeneuve will begin filming the third Dune movie. It is expected that Bond will be released in 2027 if development starts next year.
Together, Villenevue’s first two Dune movies have made over $1 billion at the box office worldwide and have received 15 Academy Award nominations and seven wins. Blade Runner 2049, Arrival, Sicario, Prisoners, Enemy, and Incendies are some of his other films.
Despite paying $8.5 billion to acquire MGM Studios in 2022, Amazon did not acquire creative control over the studio’s most valuable asset until this year. Up to this movie, the Broccolis personally selected each Bond director.
