The name’s Villeneuve. Denis Villeneuve.
The director of Dune, Denis Villeneuve, has been chosen to direct the next James Bond movie, which will be the 28th film in the iconic 60-year-old series.
This will also be the first Bond movie produced by Amazon MGM Studios following the decision by Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson to step back from overseeing the franchise earlier this year. Amy Pascal and David Heyman will produce the new film.
Villeneuve’s Love for James Bond
Villeneuve, 57, shared his excitement about the opportunity. In a statement released by Amazon MGM Studios on June 25, he said, “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.”
He continued, “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.”
A Dream Come True for Villeneuve
Producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman also expressed their excitement, saying, “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.”
Casting and Other Details
While Villeneuve is set to direct, the casting for the new James Bond and the writer for the script have not yet been announced. Fans are eagerly awaiting news on who will take on the iconic role next.
Villeneuve’s Film Career
Villeneuve is no stranger to big projects. He first gained international fame with his Oscar-nominated French-language film Incendies in 2010. This led to major Hollywood films such as Prisoners, Enemy, Sicario, and Blade Runner 2049. His 2021 film Dune: Part One earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Director, and it was also nominated for Best Picture.
A New Era for James Bond
The 28th Bond film will mark the first movie since Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson formed a new joint venture with Amazon MGM in February. Amazon MGM now has creative control of the franchise, while Broccoli and Wilson continue as co-owners.
What About the New Bond Actor?
Daniel Craig, the most recent actor to play Bond, officially wrapped up his time in the role with No Time to Die (2021). Craig confirmed in November 2022 that after five films, he was ready to “move on” from the iconic role.
Pierce Brosnan, who played Bond before Craig, also shared his thoughts on the new casting in September 2022, saying, “I don’t care who gets the role. It’ll be interesting to see who they get, who the man shall be. Whoever he is, I wish him well.”
The Legacy of 007
The role of James Bond was originally brought to life by Sean Connery in 1962‘s Dr. No, and has since been portrayed by other actors like George Lazenby, Roger Moore, and Timothy Dalton. Based on Ian Fleming‘s character first introduced in Casino Royale (1953), the James Bond franchise has become one of the highest-grossing series in film history, bringing in over $7 billion worldwide.
With Denis Villeneuve at the helm, fans can expect an exciting new chapter for the James Bond series. The next Bond film promises to continue the legacy of thrilling espionage missions, with plenty of surprises along the way.
