The name’s Villeneuve. Denis Villeneuve.
Denis Villeneuve, the 57-year-old director of Dune, will direct the next James Bond movie, the 26th in the franchise’s 60-year history. This will be the first Bond film made by Amazon MGM Studios, after Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson decided earlier this year to step away from managing the series. Amy Pascal and David Heyman will produce the upcoming film.
Some of my earliest movie-going memories are connected to 007. I grew up watching James Bond films with my father, ever since Dr. No with Sean Connery. I’m a die-hard Bond fan. To me, he’s sacred territory. I intend to honor the tradition and open the path for many new missions to come. This is a massive responsibility, but also, incredibly exciting for me and a huge honor. Amy, David, and I are absolutely thrilled to bring him back to the screen. Thank you to Amazon MGM Studios for their trust.
Villeneuve said in a statement released by Amazon MGM Studios on Wednesday, June 25
Denis Villeneuve has been in love with James Bond movies since he was a little boy. It was always his dream to make this movie, and now it’s ours, too. We are lucky to be in the hands of this extraordinary filmmaker.
Heyman and Pascal said
Casting for the new Bond hasn’t been revealed yet. Amazon MGM also hasn’t named a writer.
Villeneuve became known worldwide in 2010 with Incendies, a French-language film that was nominated for an Oscar. That success led to Hollywood films like Prisoners, Enemy, and Sicario. He got his first Best Director Oscar nomination for Arrival. He also received Best Picture nominations for Dune: Part One and Dune: Part Two, along with a Best Adapted Screenplay nomination for Dune: Part One. He also directed Blade Runner 2049.
The 26th Bond movie will be the first since Broccoli and Wilson entered a new joint deal with Amazon MGM in February. Amazon MGM now has creative control of the series, while Broccoli and Wilson are still co-owners.
Daniel Craig was the last actor to play Bond. He starred in Casino Royale (2006), Quantum of Solace (2008), Skyfall (2012), Spectre (2015), and No Time to Die (2021). He told the Los Angeles Times in November 2022 that after five films, he “need[ed] to move on” from the role. Pierce Brosnan, who played Bond before Craig, had a similar view on the casting. In a September 2022 GQ interview, he said, “I don’t care” who gets the role.
It’ll be interesting to see who they get, who the man shall be. Whoever he be, I wish him well.
he added
Sean Connery first played the role in 1962’s Dr. No, directed by Terence Young. Since then, Bond has also been played by George Lazenby, Roger Moore, and Timothy Dalton.
British author Ian Fleming created the 007 character and first appeared in 1953’s Casino Royale. Over the years, the MI6 agent has undertaken numerous perilous international spy missions, with the franchise earning over $7 billion worldwide.
Source: PEOPLE