Denis Villeneuve confirmed to direct new ‘James Bond’ movie
Dune director Denis Villeneuve has been confirmed to helm the next James Bond movie by Amazon MGM Studios.
In a statement, the filmmaker said of his appointment: “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.”
Villeneuve continued: “I intend to honour 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 honour.”
Before Villeneuve begins work on his Bond movie, he first has to complete his third and final Dune film, Dune: Messiah, which is set to begin filming this summer. Dune: Messiah is expected to be released in cinemas in 2026.
Villeneuve’s other projects include a movie about Cleopatra, an adaptation of Arthur C. Clarke’s novel Rendezvous with Rama, and a science fiction adaptation of a Kim Bo-young short story. However, now that he’s attached to Bond, 007 is likely to become his priority.
Head of Amazon MGM Studios, Mike Hopkins, said of Villeneuve: “We are honoured that Denis has agreed to direct James Bond’s next chapter. He is a cinematic master, whose filmography speaks for itself … James Bond is in the hands of one of today’s greatest filmmakers and we cannot wait to get started on 007’s next adventure.”
While the next instalment of the 007 series stalled for several years, it began to gather pace in February after Amazon MGM Studios gained complete control. The agreement was reached following lengthy negotiations with the previous owners, Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson, whose family owned the rights ever since their father, Albert R Broccoli, brought the first movie to the screen in 1962.
In April, it was confirmed that producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman, who have been brought in to oversee Bond, are currently in London working on the franchise. Amazon MGM Studios have since also confirmed Tanya Lapointe as a producer.
Currently, nobody is attached to the lead role. However, Aaron Taylor-Johnson has been heavily linked. Last week, at the premiere of 28 Years Later in London, the English actor was tight-lipped when asked about his next project, coyly replying to a Deadline journalist, “I can’t talk about it,” before being ushered away.
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