So… now we know. We reported late last week that there were five directors on the Amazon shortlist to helm the next James Bond movie. Now the director has signed and been announced.
Denis Villeneuve will direct the next 007 adventure. His wife and producing partner Tanya Lapointe has signed on alongside him.
As you would expect, it has been a blizzard of press releases and announcements. So here are a few before we get into talking about this decision:
“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.”
Meanwhile, Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, said:
“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.”
New head producing duo Amy Pascal and David Heyman said:
‘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.”
So, a critically acclaimed and Oscar-nominated director. Technically still a Commonwealth appointment, being French Canadian.
He is currently working on Dune: Messiah so will roll on to Bond directly from that.
The third Dune movie is st for a 2026 release. This means the new 007 movie is likely to be winter 2027 at the absolute earliest, and even then they will have to move fast.
That said, Villeneuve does move fast. Projects the size and scale of the Dune movies, with big casts, location shooting, and copious VFX shots seemingly come together lightening fast and reasonably priced under him.
The director of Sicario directing a Bond movie feels like a “pinch me” moment… but also, as some Outposters have already said, Bond is a framework and a formula. Sometimes it feels best in the hands of a competent journeyman who colours inside the lines.
Does this mean we can expect something different, or will Villeneuve’s love of the franchise focus him?
Now, the big question is who will play the iconic role. Many commentators believe Aaron Taylor-Johnson might have let something slip.
While out doing press for 28 Years Later, he was asked what his next project was. A awkward looking Johnson fumbled that “I am not allowed to talk about it” before a harrasssed looking PA arrived at speed to move him along the press line.
Expect the pieces to fall into place relatively quickly now a director is on board.
