Dune director Denis Villeneuve has been officially selected to direct the upcoming James Bond film.
Amazon MGM Studios announced last night (June 25) in a press release that Villeneuve will take the reins on the next installment of the James Bond franchise, which will be the first Bond film produced under their banner.
In addition to directing, Villeneuve will serve as an executive producer alongside Tanya Lapointe. Amy Pascal and David Heyman are also on board as producers.
Villeneuve expressed his excitement in a statement, saying, “Some of my earliest movie memories are tied to 007. Growing up, I watched James Bond films with my father, starting with Dr. No featuring Sean Connery. I am a passionate Bond fan, and I see this as sacred ground. My aim is to honor the legacy while paving the way for future adventures. This is a tremendous responsibility, but it’s also thrilling and a huge honor. Amy, David, and I are excited to bring him back to the big screen. My heartfelt thanks to Amazon MGM Studios for their trust.”
Alongside the Dune series, Villeneuve is renowned for projects such as Blade Runner 2049, Arrival, Sicario, Prisoners, and Enemy.
Details about the new Bond film are still under wraps, including its cast, release date, and storyline.
Daniel Craig as James Bond in ‘No Time To Die’. CREDIT: Universal
As for the next 007, the search is underway to find a new actor to fill Daniel Craig’s shoes after his final performance in 2021’s No Time To Die. In March, it was revealed that long-time producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson had stepped back from their creative roles, transferring control to Amazon MGM Studios, marking the end of over 60 years of Broccoli family leadership of the Bond legacy.
Fans of the franchise have expressed concerns over Amazon’s acquisition, with some fearful that the series may be negatively affected by excessive spin-offs and diluted content.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson has frequently been mentioned as a contender for the iconic role, and reports from last year suggested he had been offered the position. However, he has remained tight-lipped on the topic when questioned on the red carpet for his upcoming film, The Fall Guy.
In a four-star review of No Time To Die, NME’s Alex Flood praised the film, stating: “Considering the monumental challenges due to the pandemic impacting cinema, producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson deserve commendation for taking bold risks. The jaw-dropping finale may well be the most surprising in Bond history. Yet, as Daniel Craig bids farewell to the role, all previous difficulties seem to vanish. If we didn’t know better, we’d say even he enjoyed the ride.”
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