Denis Villeneuve to direct next James Bond film in major franchise shake-up
The Oscar-nominated Canadian filmmaker, best known for helming critically acclaimed blockbusters including Dune, Arrival and Blade Runner 2049, will take the reins of the iconic British spy series as part of a significant creative overhaul.
The director said in a statement on Wednesday: '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. To me, he's sacred territory.
'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.'
Head of Amazon MGM Studios, Mike Hopkins, said of Villeneuve joining the franchise: 'We are honoured that Denis has agreed to direct James Bond's next chapter.
'He is a cinematic master, whose filmography speaks for itself… James Bond is in the hands of one of today's greatest filmmakers and we cannot wait to get started on 007's next adventure.'
Villeneuve's appointment comes as Eon Productions, run by longtime producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson, handed over creative control of the franchise in a landmark deal.
Wilson and Broccoli had produced the franchise since the death of Albert 'Cubby' Broccoli. The official film franchise had been controlled by members of the Broccoli family, either single-handedly or in partnership with others, since the first 007 movie Dr No in 1962.
The move signalled a new era for 007 following the departure of Daniel Craig, who concluded his tenure as Bond with No Time to Die, which grossed $774 million worldwide.
A release date has not yet been announced and the casting of the new Bond remains unconfirmed. Speculation continues to swirl, with Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Theo James and James Norton all considered frontrunners for the role.
Taylor-Johnson recently stoked fresh speculation when he told press on the red carpet for 28 Years Later that he 'couldn't talk about' his next project.
Villeneuve is currently preparing to begin production on Dune: Messiah, the third film in his Dune series, which is set for release in 2026.
He is also attached to a number of other high-profile projects, including a Cleopatra biopic, an adaptation of Arthur C. Clarke's Rendezvous with Rama, and a film based on a short story by South Korean science fiction author Kim Bo-young.
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