‘Sacred territory’: Denis Villeneuve to direct new James Bond film
Global News
Denis Villeneuve said in a statement that he is a lifelong fan of the James Bond franchise.
Denis Villeneuve is going from Dune to Bond.
Amazon MGM Studios announced Wednesday that Villeneuve 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, the 57-year-old French Canadian filmmaker 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, Amazon MGM has worked quickly to get the next movie going. The studio is also trying to win over fans skeptical of the new corporate leadership and the fearful 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.
With Pascal and Heyman lodged as producers and Villeneuve behind the camera, the next Bond movie will have an enviable brain trust. 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.
