Denis Villeneuve to direct next James Bond movie
Denis Villeneuve, whose films have won several Oscars, will direct the next movie in the James Bond franchise, Amazon MGM Studios has announced.
Villeneuve, a French-Canadian filmmaker best known for his work on 'Blade Runner 2049,' 'Arrival' and the 'Dune' movies, will work with executive producer Tanya Lapointe and producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman.
'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,' said Villeneuve in a statement released by Amazon MGM Studios Wednesday.
'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,' he added.
Villeneuve's most recent film, 'Dune: Part Two,' was widely acclaimed when it was released last year and he now has an opportunity to bring those talents to a storied franchise.
'We are honored that Denis has agreed to direct James Bond's next chapter. He is a cinematic master, whose filmography speaks for itself,' said Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, in the statement.
'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,' he added.
Amazon MGM Studios took over the Bond franchise in February.
Under the deal, Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli – the duo who brought the 007 films to theaters for more than 60 years – remain co-owners, having formed a new joint venture with Amazon MGM that handed over the creative reins and control of all future production to the Jeff Bezos-founded company.
Amazon bought MGM in 2022 for $8.25 billion, acquiring the Hollywood studio's catalog of 4,000 movies and 17,000-plus TV shows. As part of the deal, Amazon gained possession of the rights to distribute all 27 of the movies based on Ian Fleming's books.
MGM's Bond films are the studio's most lucrative intellectual property, having brought in billions since first releasing 'Dr. No' in 1962.
The latest installment of the spy franchise, 'No Time to Die,' raked in more than $770 million at the global box office, making it the fourth-highest grossing film of 2021.
Villeneuve and Amazon MGM Studios will now have to choose a new actor for the titular role, as Daniel Craig announced that 'No Time to Die' would be his last Bond movie.
CNN's Liam Reilly contributed to this report.
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Whitby/Getty Images for Paramount+) Henry Cavill - You are not going to find anyone else on this list that looks more like the quintessential Bond, interesting because Cavill also looked like the quintessential Superman. Cavill is wrapped up in some big projects however, like a giant Warhammer concept with Amazon he's passionate about. But he's expressed interest in the role. MADRID, SPAIN - DECEMBER 09: British actor Henry Cavill attends "The Witcher" season 2 premiere at ... More Kinepolis Cinema on December 9, 2021 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Juanfor Netflix) Aaron Taylor-Johnson - He's had back-to-back hits in the form of Nosferatu and now 28 Years Later (we'll ignore Kraven for the moment). He's recently been brought up as a possible choice for the part. I could see it. LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 14: Aaron Taylor-Johnson attends the 'Nocturnal Animals' Headline Gala ... More screening during the 60th BFI London Film Festival at Odeon Leicester Square on October 14, 2016 in London, England. (Photo byfor BFI) Theo James - Honestly, this is my pick. The Gentleman and White Lotus actor is young and a rising star and I absolutely think he's got the right kind of look and charisma to reinvent the role yet again. LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 26: Theo James and Meghann Fahy attend the 29th Annual Screen ... More Actors Guild Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on February 26, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic) Taron Egerton - He's been rumored for Wolverine and now rumored for James Bond after his breakout role in The Kingsman, but more recently starring in one of the most popular Netflix movies in history, Carry-On. Maybe him? LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 29: Taron Egerton attends the Los Angeles premiere of Apple TV+ new ... More show "Black Bird" at Regency Bruin Theatre on June 29, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/FilmMagic) Richard Madden - The ex-Game of Thrones star is another younger choice who looks the part, but his last turn in a big spy role in Amazon's Citadel did not go great. I don't think he's the one. LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 27: Richard Madden attends the "Eternals" UK Premiere at the BFI IMAX ... More Waterloo on October 27, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images) Robert Pattinson - He's rumored for a role in a Villeneuve Dune role, but some are wondering if the actor who notoriously chooses widely diverse roles might be a good choice here. But I'm not even sure he'd want it? NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 01: Robert Pattinson attends "The Batman" World Premiere on March 01, ... More 2022 in New York City. (Photo by) Aaron Pierre - He's easily the most recent, prominent rumor about who's being considered for Bond. You just have to watch Rebel Ridge on Netflix to know he's got the charisma (and he is actualy English). He's currently the DCU's Green Lantern as well, landing that part a month after Rebel Ridge. This would be the ultimate rising star moment for him. LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 03: Aaron Pierre attends the Los Angeles Special Screening of ... More Netflix's "Rebel Ridge" at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on September 03, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic) Are there more? Sure, but these are the biggest names that have been considered over the years. Will Villeneuve go for any of them, or surprise us with an outside-the-box pick? Follow me on Twitter, YouTube, Bluesky and Instagram. Pick up my sci-fi novels the Herokiller series and The Earthborn Trilogy.
