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ABC News
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- ABC News
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
Khaleej Times
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
'Dune' filmmaker Denis Villeneuve to direct next James Bond film
Dune filmmaker Denis Villeneuve will direct the next James Bond film, as revealed by Amazon MGM Studios. Tanya Lapointe boarded the film as an executive producer, while Amy Pascal and David Heyman will serve as the producers for the upcoming movie, Variety reported. Villeneuve recalled his earliest memories of 007 and said he feels honoured for taking the James Bond "tradition" forward, calling it a huge "responsibility". "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," 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. Amy, David, and I are absolutely thrilled to bring him back to the screen. Thank you to Amazon MGM Studios for their trust," added Villeneuve. Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, was more than happy to recruit Denis Villeneuve to direct the upcoming Bond film. "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... we cannot wait to get started on 007's next adventure," Hopkins was quoted as saying by Variety. Denis Villeneuve is an acclaimed, Oscar-nominated French-Canadian filmmaker who most recently helmed Dune and Dune: Part Two. The third instalment, Dune Messiah, is in development and is dated for release in 2026.
Geek Culture
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Culture
Dune's Denis Villeneuve To Direct Amazon's 'James Bond' Movie
The future of the James Bond franchise is being shaken (up) and stirred with a creative takeover by Amazon MGM Studios, and things are off to a strong, albeit surprising, start. Denis Villeneuve , best known for the Dune movies starring Timothée Chalamet, has been tapped to direct and executive produce the next James Bond instalment. Joining the Canadian filmmaker as executive producer is Tanya Lapointe, with Amy Pascal and David Heyman serving as producers, as previously announced. Villeneuve was among the list of high-profile directors eyed to steer the project, alongside Edward Berger, Edgar Wright, Jonathan Nolan, and Paul King. Alfonso Cuarón ( Roma ) was also a popular choice, considering his frequent collaborations with 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,' 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. Amy, David, and I are absolutely thrilled to bring him back to the screen. Thank you to Amazon MGM Studios for their trust.' The forthcoming feature will mark the first time since the 1960s that someone outside of the Broccoli family, longtime owners of the IP, has taken creative control of the iconic spy series. The former remain as co-owners, following Daniel Craig's last bow as 007 in 2021's No Time To Die . The search for a worthy successor is still underway, with Amazon committed to 'keeping the spirit of Bond alive, and that means he has to be British or from the Commonwealth – and he has to be male'. In the meantime, Villeneuve will be busy shooting his third and final Dune movie for Warner Bros and Legendary Entertainment, which is slated for release on 16 December 2026. His other potential projects include Cleopatra , an adaptation of Arthur C. Clarke's classic science fiction novel Rendezvous with R ama, and Nuclear War: A Scenario, based on Annie Jacobsen's non-fiction book. Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth's theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia's greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really. Amazon Denis Villeneuve Dune James Bond
The Independent
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Amazon's James Bond names its first director
Denis Villeneuve, acclaimed director of the "Dune" films, has been announced as the director for the next James Bond movie. This upcoming film will be the first in the franchise under the creative control of Amazon MGM, following decades of production by the Broccoli family. Producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman stated their strategy was to secure a director and develop a screenplay before casting the next James Bond. Villeneuve expressed his deep connection to the franchise, stating he grew up watching Bond movies and is a "die-hard Bond fan." He conveyed his excitement and sense of responsibility, aiming to honor the series' tradition while also opening paths for new missions.
Malay Mail
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
‘Dune' director Denis Villeneuve to lead next Bond era as Amazon takes creative control of iconic spy series
NEW YORK, June 26 — Denis Villeneuve will helm the next James Bond film, marking a new chapter in the franchise under Amazon MGM Studios' creative control. The untitled film will be the first in the series since Amazon acquired MGM in 2022 and assumed creative oversight from the Broccoli family, who had long steered the franchise, according to The Associated Press. Producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman, who had prioritised securing a script and director before casting a new Bond, said Villeneuve was always passionate about the role. 'I'm a die-hard Bond fan. To me, he's sacred territory,' said the French Canadian filmmaker. 'I intend to honour the tradition and open the path for many new missions to come.' Villeneuve, 57, is known for directing major sci-fi films including Dune, Blade Runner 2049, and Arrival, and brings a strong critical and commercial track record. Amazon MGM Studios has moved swiftly since gaining control in February to develop the next Bond instalment and reassure fans wary of corporate influence and potential 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 was chosen from a shortlist that included Edward Berger, Paul King, Edgar Wright, and Jonathan Nolan, according to the producers. '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 been set, but with Villeneuve expected to film Dune: Part Three this summer, Bond production is likely to begin in 2026, with a potential release in 2027. Villeneuve's first two Dune films earned over US$1 billion (RM4.2 billion) globally and 15 Academy Award nominations, winning seven. His filmography also includes Sicario, Prisoners, and Incendies.
