Denis Villeneuve to direct new James Bond film
Denis Villeneuve has been appointed to direct the next James Bond film, Amazon MGM studios announced on Thursday.
The Canadian filmmaker and four-time Academy Award nominee has earned both critical acclaim and box office success with the Dune franchise, as well as with Prisoners, Blade Runner 2049 and Arrival.
In a statement, Villeneuve described himself as a 'die-hard' James Bond fan.
'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,' he said.
'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.'
Amazon MGM Studios sets Denis Villeneuve as director of next James Bond film.
Tanya Lapointe will serve as executive producer. As previously announced, Amy Pascal and David Heyman will serve as producers. pic.twitter.com/7RJAweHhRh — Amazon MGM Studios (@AmazonMGMStudio) June 26, 2025
Villeneuve will also serve as executive producer, alongside his wife Tanya Lapointe.
It marks the latest step in a major overhaul of the iconic British spy franchise, following Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson handing over creative control to Amazon MGM Studios as part of a lucrative deal.
Under the terms of the agreement, the Broccoli family, long the force behind the Bond films, agreed to co-own the intellectual property and granted Amazon the ability to move forward without their creative approval.
In March, Spider-Man's Amy Pascal and Harry Potter's David Heyman were announced as new producers.
The pair have consistently maintained that they would secure a director and develop a screenplay before casting the next super spy.
Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, said he was 'honoured' to have the acclaimed director on board.
'He is a cinematic master, whose filmography speaks for itself. From Blade Runner 2049 to Arrival to the Dune films, he has delivered compelling worlds, dynamic visuals, complex characters, and—most importantly—the immersive storytelling that global audiences yearn to experience in theatres,' he said.
'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.'
Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
2 hours ago
- Metro
Denis Villeneuve threatens to overshadow the new James Bond
The Amazon/MGM era of James Bond has taken a significant step towards getting the next iteration of Ian Fleming's famous secret agent to the big screen. They've announced Denis Villeneuve as the director of Bond 26. Villeneuve is a name that many film fans will know and love, with the French-Canadian filmmaker being behind the recent – and very successful – Dune adaptations, as well as some of the most well-regarded movies of the 21st century, from Blade Runner 2049 to Arrival (for which he received an Oscar nomination for Best Director). His appointment should be cause for celebration; he's one of the most distinct directors of recent memory, offering movies filled with striking visual grandeur, nerve-shredding tension, as well as a flair for directing subtle and stirring performances from his casts. He is unquestionably an excellent filmmaker, so why am I left with a sense of doubt over his selection to be the next Bond director? Put simply, I think the stature and appeal of Villeneuve as an auteur filmmaker threatens to overshadow what will be the introduction of a brand new actor as James Bond. First things first: I love Denis. Making a difficult text like Dune into a mainstream cinematic success was a miraculous feat, and I've been a keen follower of his work since Prisoners caught my eye with its hypnotically dark atmosphere. I am also a James Bond fan. It was the first franchise I can remember falling in love with, and I have always enjoyed coming back to it for several reasons. There's the action, the cars and the gadgets, the corny one-liners, but it is also a fascinating time capsule. Being over 60 years old allows the series to act as a reflection of the moods and preferences of movie-going audiences across generations. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video It is also a franchise that has, from quite early on, always been open to reinvention, and a lot of that comes from the casting of a new actor as Ian Fleming's James Bond 007. When it comes to a new Bond, the build-up to the reveal has always been a hot topic of conversation, just as it is right now. And the reveal itself is even more contentious. Daniel Craig, who is now regarded by many to be the best Bond behind Sean Connery, became the centre of a 'Craig Not Bond' campaign that complained Craig was too blonde when he was announced in 2005. Craig went on to make the role his own with Casino Royale, which was directed by Martin Campbell, who had also been at the helm for the debut of Pierce Brosnan's Bond in 1995's GoldenEye. Timothy Dalton's first Bond – The Living Daylights – was directed by the steady hand of John Glen, who had directed the three previous entries in the franchise. Roger Moore's introduction – Live and Let Die – was likewise directed by a franchise veteran Guy Hamilton. These are all directors who had proven chops either in the genre or within the franchise – journeyman directors if you will – and paved the way to let the personality of the actor selected to enter the gun barrel. Craig would go on to work with more prestige filmmakers in his run as Bond as he became more hands-on with the direction of the series (like Oscar winner Sam Mendes and Emmy-winner Cary Joji Fukunaga) but only once his take on the character was firmly established. There is something to be said about handing the keys to someone less distinguished and focus instead on a steady pair of hands who can deliver action and let the Bond brand do a lot of the heavy lifting when it comes to marketing. Someone like Mission: Impossible's set-piece specialist Christopher McQuarrie or The Hunger Games' stylish Francis Lawrence – or dare I say even a return to Martin Campbell – would certainly cast less of a shadow for the new actor and be no less capable of providing the necessary Bond flair. There'd certainly be less baggage and expectation. I fear that the narrative now could become less about what an actor could bring to the role of James Bond, but more about what that actor can bring to Denis Villeneuve's James Bond. The casting of Bond for this new era still has a chance to provide something fresh and exciting, and I can't wait to see who Villeneuve picks to lead his film. But already, there's speculation as odds are slashed for his Dune star, Timothée Chalamet. While I feel that is unlikely, it's clear people think Villeneuve could shake things up. Yet, I can't help but feel both the casting and the film itself won't be that dissimilar to what we've seen before. Villeneuve's aesthetic (grounded, precise, atmospheric) isn't miles away from what Mendes or Fukunaga brought to the table (Villeneuve has even worked with Mendes' regular director of photography, Roger Deakins, multiple times before, too). Those hoping for a Bond that airs more back towards a campy tongue-in-cheek tone after the harder-edged Craig era will most likely not be getting that with Villeneuve. I'm also a little disappointed that Villeneuve isn't escaping franchise filmmaking for his post-Dune project. More Trending Bond 26 will follow after his third Dune movie – Messiah, set for release next year – with his previous credit before Dune having been the legacy sequel Blade Runner 2049. While it has been largely exciting to see him play in these worlds, it's a shame that one of the most visually striking filmmakers of the past 25 years isn't providing much in the way of original storytelling. All this being said, I will undoubtedly be there on opening weekend to see what Villeneuve has cooked up for this new era of one of my favourite film franchises. But it would seem that the time when a Bond era would be more defined by the casting than any other factor could be at its end. Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailing Share your views in the comments below. MORE: Beware the Glastonbury Hipster – they'll ruin the festival for you MORE: If Britain went to war I wouldn't hesitate to enlist MORE: Donald Trump's latest stunt risks dragging the UK into war
The Independent
2 hours ago
- The Independent
What to know about the next James Bond movie now that Denis Villeneuve will direct it
In the 50-plus years of James Bond, the wait between films has never gone longer than six years. The next entry, and first since Daniel Craig 's dramatic exit, may test that — but things are speeding up. On Wednesday, Amazon MGM Studio announced that Denis Villeneuve will direct the 26th Bond movie, putting the franchise in the hands of one of the most respected big-budget filmmakers. Here's what to know about that decision, and where things stand for 007. From 'Dune' to Bond Villeneuve, the 57-year-old French Canadian director, edged out other filmmakers who were reportedly eyed for the gig, including Edward Berger ('Conclave') and Paul King ('Paddington 2'). Since emerging with 2010's 'Incendies," Villeneuve has established himself as a steward of cinematic IP ("Blade Runner 2049," 'Dune') and a specialist in dark, doom-laden spectacle ("Sicaro," 'Arrival'). 'James Bond is in the hands of one of today's greatest filmmakers,' said Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios. The culmination for Villeneuve has been the 'Dune' films. His first two entries have surpassed $1 billion in box office and gathered a combined 15 Academy Award nominations, winning seven. Villeneuve is expected to begin shooting the third 'Dune' film this summer, with a cast including Timothée Chalamet, Florence Pugh, Zendaya and Javier Bardem. "I'm a die-hard Bond fan. To me, he's sacred territory,' said Villeneuve. '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.' What's the timetable? Amazon, which bought MGM Studios in 2022 for $8.5 billion, hasn't set a release date yet or announced a screenwriter. Producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman are shepherding the movie for the first time. In February, Amazon MGM Studios secured creative control of the franchise from Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, whose family has presided over Bond since the first film, 1962's 'Dr. No.' The most likely timing would be production starting in 2026 and the film being released sometime in 2027. Who's in the mix? No new 007 has been named, but that hasn't stopped rumors and conjecture from running rampant. It's pure speculation buts oddsmakers have a few expected contenders for the martini-sipping role. Those include Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Theo James, Aaron Pierre, Henry Cavill, James Norton and Jack Lowden. Expectations are that the new Bond will remain male and British, but producers have said nothing publicly to tip their hand. Whoever it is will have big shoes to fill. In his five-film, 15-year stretch in the tuxedo, Daniel Craig was widely seen as one of the best Bonds, including the high point of 'Skyfall' (2012) and the swan song of 'No Time to Die' (2021). New corporate overloads with something to prove Since Albert 'Cubby' Broccoli obtained the movie rights to Ian Fleming's books, James Bond has been a family business. That didn't change after Amazon bought MGM, but it did earlier this year when Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli agreed to let the studio take creative control. That handoff stoked concern from many Bond fans that 007 would be picked apart for spinoffs, series and the kind of intellectual property strip mining Hollywood has been known for in other franchises like 'Star Wars.' So far, though, Amazon MGM has made no announcement about any spinoffs, and is prioritizing the 26th Bond movie.
The Independent
2 hours ago
- The Independent
The Denis Villeneuve movies you need to watch – as he is confirmed for the next Bond film
Amazon MGM Studios has just announced that Oscar-nominated filmmaker Denis Villeneuve will direct the next James Bond film in an incredibly exciting move for the spy franchise. Accompanying Villeneuve will be his artistic partner and wife, Tanya Lapointe, as executive producer, as well as David Heyman and Amy Pascal as producers. 'Some of my earliest moviegoing 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,' Villeneuve said in a statement on Wednesday (25 June). '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.' 'We are honoured that Denis has agreed to direct James Bond's next chapter. He is a cinematic master whose filmography speaks for itself,' Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, said of Villeneuve. It's fair to say that we can expect big things in the franchise's next instalment. While we're rather excited that this big name in the business will be the creative mind behind what is one of the decade's most anticipated films, we can't ignore his already impressive, existing catalogue. Villeneuve is a four-time Academy Award nominee, known for his ability to combine blockbuster visuals with complex character storylines. If, in the lead up to the release of what is currently known as 'Bond 26', you're looking to get a taste of Villeneuve's impeccable style, or refresh your memory on his skill, there are a number of his films we'd recommend you watch. Dune It's often been said that Frank Herbert's 1965 novel Dune is unadaptable to the big screen, but Villeneuve pulled it off. Somehow turning high-concept 1960s sci-fi psychedelia into an approachable action blockbuster, the 2021 Dune film follows Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet). Paul, the son of the noble house Atreides, is pulled from his comfortable homeworld into a web of political intrigue on the desert planet Arrakis. Drawn into a complicated war over the psychotropic drug 'spice', Paul finds himself in the middle of dangerous machinations between his mother's magical, all-women cult, the terrifying feudal Harkonnens, and Arrakis' insurgent native population. Sounds like a lot, but Villeneuve manages to juggle all of this with some astonishing action set pieces. Dune: Part Two Spoilers ahead. Dune: Part Two was released in 2024, and once again follows Paul Atreides' journey. As he unites with Chani (Zendaya) and the Fremen of Arrakis in a war against House Harkonnen, Paul has difficult choices to make between the love of his life, and the fate of the known universe. The mind-bending second act of Villeneuve's Dune trilogy, this film has some truly astonishing set pieces – once seen, the black and white infrared gladiator fight on Giedi Prime is never forgotten. Blade Runner 2049 Blade Runner 2049 is a 2017 neo-noir sci-fi sequel to Blade Runner (1982). The film is set in Los Angeles in the year 2049, where replicants are still being used for slave labour. Working for the Los Angeles Police Department as a blade runner, K (Ryan Gosling) has the job of hunting down and retiring outdated Nexus-8 android replicants. After evidence emerges that replicants can reproduce, K is sent on a quest to find Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford), who has been missing for 30 years, with the help of his AI girlfriend Joi (Ana de Armas) and Freysa (Hiam Abbass). Visually stunning, the film somehow matches the neon heights of the original. Sicario Sicario is the most Bond-like of all Villeneuve's films. FBI special agent Kate Macer (Emily Blunt) is drawn into the war on drugs at the border between the US and Mexico. This stunningly violent film follows Kate into a complicated plot unravelling the interplay between Mexican drug cartels and complicit US government agencies. Like Dune, this film is packed with intricate, hair-raising action set pieces that should translate perfectly into Bond. Arrival This beautiful film is a first-contact film like you've never seen before. After twelve mysterious spacecraft appear over the Earth, linguist Louise Banks (Amy Adams) is tasked with deciphering an extraterrestrial language along with physicist Ian Donnelly (Jeremy Renner). A slower, quieter film than Villeneuve's other blockbusters, the film focuses on the nature of language and memory as it follows Louise's painstaking work to decipher an alien language she cannot even hear. The award-winning soundtrack is truly spine-tingling, and the payoff to the shocking twist at the end of the film is another unforgettable Villeneuve moment.
