Amazon MGM has tapped “Dune” filmmaker Denis Villeneuve to direct the 26th James Bond film — the first installment since longtime stewards Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson ceded full creative control of the franchise to the studio.
Villeneuve will also serve as an executive producer on the film alongside his longtime producing partner, Tanya Lapointe.
“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,” Villeneuve said in a statement.
“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.”
Villeneuve has become one of the acclaimed filmmakers of the 21st century with movies like “Sicario,” “Blade Runner 2049” and “Arrival.” His biggest box office success has come with his two-film adaptation of Frank Herbert’s “Dune,” with both films earning Best Picture Oscar nominations and winning a combined eight Academy Awards.
Combined, the two “Dune” films have grossed $1.15 billion at the global box office, with the $714 million gross of “Part Two” standing as Villeneuve’s biggest box office success. He is currently in development on the third and final film in the series based on Herbert’s sequel novel “Dune Messiah,” which is currently set for a 2026 release.
Villeneuve’s hire marks the first big step for Amazon MGM as it begins a new era for the 63-year-old James Bond franchise, which began in 1962 under producer Albert R. Broccoli with the film “Dr. No.” In the decades since, Bond has been played by seven actors over the course of 25 films, the most recent being “No Time to Die” in 2021, which marked the departure of Daniel Craig after five movies as Agent 007.
In March, Broccoli’s children, Barbara and Michael, reached a deal on a joint venture with Amazon MGM that would give the studio full creative rights over Bond, ending the Broccoli family’s control over the franchise through their production company Eon Productions. Amazon MGM selected Amy Pascal and David Heyman to serve as the new producers for the Bond series.
Villeneuve is represented by CAA, Carlos Goodman, and ID.
