No Time to Die literally shook and stirred up the world’s most famous spy franchise by killing off its beloved character, 007, at the jaw-dropping conclusion of 2021’s Bond 25. Today, nearly four years have passed since Daniel Craig gave his on-screen life to save the world, and while Amazon MGM Studios has yet to reveal who will take up the mantle of James Bond and drive his trademark Aston Martin, it was made official on Wednesday, June 25, that Denis Villeneuve will direct the 26th entry in the enduring movie saga. The Dune and Sicario director, Villeneuve, said in a statement via Deadline once the news broke:
“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. 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. Amy, David, and I are absolutely thrilled to bring him back to the screen. Thank you to Amazon MGM Studios for their trust.”
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Villeneuve (Blade Runner 2049, Arrival) will also serve as an executive producer on the next James Bond film along with Amy Pascal, David Heyman, and Tanya Lapointe. Amazon MGM Studios spent $8.5 billion to acquire the rights to the 007 franchise in 2022 before officially receiving total creative control last February to supplant Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson. Pascal and Heyman commented on Villeneuve’s brilliant hiring in the same statement by saying:
“Denis Villeneuve has been in love with James Bond movies since he was a little boy. It was always his dream to make this movie, and now it’s ours, too. We are lucky to be in the hands of this extraordinary filmmaker.”
Denis Villeneuve Will Usher in the Post-Daniel Craig 007 Era
Denis Villeneuve emerged from the handful of possible filmmakers being eyed to direct Bond 26 to actually sit in the next film’s highly coveted director’s chair, even though he is already tasked with the awesome responsibility of also helming 2026’s Dune: Messiah. Regardless of his other fan-favorite project, the next 007 adventure will be ushered in under the watchful care of Villeneuve, and the head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, Mike Hopkins, couldn’t be happier with the hiring of the talented auteur. Hopkins said in the same statement:
“We are honored that Denis has agreed to direct James Bond’s next chapter. 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 theaters. 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.”
Villeneuve has been nominated for a total of four Academy Awards over the course of his illustrious career, and three of those Oscar nods came for his work on Dune (2021) and Dune: Part Two (2024). Now, whether Bond 26 will eventually rank among the best James Bond films of all time remains to be seen, but the next 007 adventure couldn’t be in better hands than those of Villeneuve… Denis Villeneuve.
Source: Deadline
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
