In a dramatic new chapter for Britain’s most iconic spy, Amazon MGM Studios has announced that 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.
The Canadian director, best known for directing Dune and Dune: Part Two, as well as Arrival, Blade Runner 2049, Sicario, and Prisoners, expressed reverence for the character.
‘Some of my earliest movie-going memories are connected to 007,’ he said in a statement released Wednesday.
‘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.’
While acknowledging the enormous expectations, Villeneuve said he intends to ‘honour the tradition and open the path for many new missions to come.’
He called the opportunity ‘a massive responsibility, but also, incredibly exciting for me and a huge honour.’
The announcement comes during a period of major upheaval behind the scenes of the Bond universe.
Amazon Studios officially purchased MGM for $8.45billion (£6.7billion) in 2022, with a new agreement over creative control meaning Bond — and whoever is next to play 007 – is entirely under the streamer’s 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 – heirs to the franchise through their father, original Bond producer Albert ‘Cubby’ Broccoli – have ceded key decision-making power to Amazon MGM Studios.
Mike Hopkins, head of Amazon MGM Studios, praised the selection of Villeneuve: ‘We are honoured that Denis has agreed to direct James Bond’s next chapter. He is a cinematic master, whose filmography speaks for itself,’ he said in a 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.’
It comes after it was reported bosses have been given a £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’re 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 – 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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