Oscar-nominated filmmaker Denis Villeneuve to direct next James Bond film
Canadian filmmaker Denis Villeneuve will direct the next James Bond movie, Amazon MGM Studios has announced.
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 was cast, they would first develop a screenplay and find a director.
Now, they have one of the most respected blockbuster-makers in Hollywood, who is coming off a pair of widely acclaimed "Dune" films.
Villeneuve has also been nominated for the Oscars four times, won seven Canadian Screen Awards, five British Academy Film Awards, and two Golden Globe Awards.
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," Villeneuve said.
"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 sceptical of the new corporate leadership and those fearful of future spin-offs.
"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 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."
No release date has yet 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's first two Dune films have together surpassed $US1 billion ($1.5 billion) in box office worldwide and been nominated for a combined 15 Academy Awards, winning seven.
His other films include Blade Runner 2049, Arrival, Sicario, Prisoners, Enemy, and Incendies.
Amazon bought MGM Studios in 2022 for $US8.5 billion, but did not gain creative control of the studio's most prized asset until this year.
Until this film, every Bond director has been hand-picked by the Broccolis.
AP/ABC
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