Denis Villeneuve, director of Dune, has been named as the next director in the James Bond franchise (Picture: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)
In a dramatic new chapter for Britain鈥檚 most iconic spy, Amazon MGM Studios has announced that Canadian director Denis Villeneuve will helm the next James Bond film.
The move marks a creative shift for the 007 franchise, signaling a new era for the franchise.
Villeneuve, best known for directing Dune and Dune: Part Two, as well as Arrival, Blade Runner 2049, Sicario, and Prisoners, expressed reverence for the character.
鈥楽ome of my earliest movie-going memories are connected to 007,鈥 he said in a statement released Wednesday.
鈥業 grew up watching James Bond films with my father, ever since Dr. No with Sean Connery. I鈥檓 a die-hard Bond fan. To me, he鈥檚 sacred territory.鈥
While acknowledging the enormous expectations, Villeneuve said he intends to 鈥榟onour the tradition and open the path for many new missions to come.鈥
Villeneuve called the appointment a 鈥榤assive responsibility鈥 (Picture: REUTERS)
He鈥檚 perhaps best known for directing the Dune franchise (Picture: Warner Bros/Everett/REX/Shutterstock)
He鈥檚 also known for sci-fi films like Blade Runner 2049 (Picture: 漏2017 Alcon Entertainment, LLC.)
He called the opportunity 鈥榓 massive responsibility, but also, incredibly exciting for me and a huge honour.鈥
The announcement comes during a period of major upheaval behind the scenes of the Bond universe.
Amazon Studios officially purchased MGM for $8.45billion (拢6.7billion) in 2022, with a new agreement over creative control meaning Bond 鈥 and whoever is next to play 007 鈥 is entirely under the streamer鈥檚 control.
It is a landmark decision as family-run Eon Productions has brought Bond to the big screen since the franchise began.
After decades of tight creative control, producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson 鈥 heirs to the franchise through their father, original Bond producer Albert 鈥楥ubby鈥 Broccoli 鈥 have ceded key decision-making power to Amazon MGM Studios.
It remains unclear who will replace Daniel Craig as 007 (Picture: Columbia/Eon/Danjaq/Mgm/Kobal/Shutterstock)
Craig stepped down from the role in 2021 (Picture: Mike Marsland/Getty Images for Omega)
Mike Hopkins, head of Amazon MGM Studios, praised the selection of Villeneuve: 鈥榃e are honoured that Denis has agreed to direct James Bond鈥檚 next chapter. He is a cinematic master, whose filmography speaks for itself,鈥 he said in a statement.
鈥楯ames Bond is in the hands of one of today鈥檚 greatest filmmakers and we cannot wait to get started on 007鈥檚 next adventure.鈥
It comes after it was reported bosses have been given a 拢250,000,000 budget and three years to get the next film on the big screen.
That means we could have a new Bond film by the end of 2027, though we鈥檙e still no clearer on who will play the superspy after Daniel Craig stepped down in 2021.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson has long been heavily rumoured to be the next James Bond, from as far back as 2022 鈥 although reports of his official casting were denied in March 2024.
Former favourite Idris Elba, 52, previously ruled himself out from playing the British spy, while other hotly tipped actors, including James Norton and Theo James, have remained coy.
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