Canadian Denis Villeneuve to direct next James Bond movie

Denis Villeneuve is going from Dune to Bond.

AmazonMGM announced Wednesday that the Canadian will direct the next James Bond movie. The untitled film will be the first since the studio took creative reins of the storied film franchise after decades of control by the Broccoli family.

Producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman had maintained that before the next Bond is cast, they would develop a screenplay and find a director first. Now, they have one of the most respected blockbuster makers in Hollywood who's coming off a pair of widely acclaimed Dune films.

In a statement, Villeneuve, who began his career in Quebec's film industry, said he grew up watching Bond movies.

"I'm a die-hard Bond fan. To me, he's sacred territory," said Villeneuve. "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."

Since taking creative control of Bond in February, AmazonMGM has worked quickly to get the next movie going. The studio is also trying to win over fans skeptical of the new corporate leadership of 007 and the likelihood of future spinoffs.

"James Bond is in the hands of one of today's greatest filmmakers," said Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios.

Villeneuve has won seven Canadian Screen Awards and has been nominated for an Academy Award four times. His films include Polytechnique, Incendies, and Arrival, as well as the more recent Dune and Dune: Part Two. 

No release date has been announced for the next Bond movie. Villeneuve will shoot the third Dune film this summer. If production on Bond began next year, a release sometime in 2027 would be likely.

Villeneuve beat out a field of directors floated for the movie including Edward Berger (Conclave), Paul King (Paddington 2), Edgar Wright (Baby Driver) and Jonathan Nolan, co-creator of Westworld and brother to Christopher Nolan.

"Denis Villeneuve has been in love with James Bond movies since he was a little boy," said Pascal and Heyman. "It was always his dream to make this movie, and now it's ours, too."