Amazon has found its first James Bond director. Little has previously been known about what the long-running franchise’s future at Amazon would look like. While Daniel Craig played 007 from 2006’s Casino Royale to 2021’s No Time to Die, the franchise is about to enter a new era through the creative control of Amazon MGM Studios.

Now, as revealed by Amazon, Denis Villeneuve will direct the next James Bond movie. Villeneuve will executive produce with his partner Tanya Lapointe, who also worked with him on Dune and Dune: Part Two. Villenueve spoke about his longtime enthusiasm for the franchise and how he is honored to now be working on it. Check out his comments below:

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 mᴀssive 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 is currently working on the third Dune movie that will be based on Frank Herbert’s novel Dune: Messiah, which recently cast Nakoa-Wolf Momoa as Leto II and Ida Brooke as Ghanima, the children of Paul Atreides and Chani. However, Villeneuve has previously made it clear that this will be the last film he helms in the science-fiction franchise.

What This Means For James Bond

Amazon Takes A Significant Step Forward

Getting Villeneuve as the director of the next James Bond movie is a major step forward in the franchise’s Amazon era. After the success of Dune and Dune: Part Two, Villeneuve is incredibly well-regarded, and he already had a stellar reputation to begin with after his work on Arrival, Blade Runner 2049, Sicaro, and Prisoners.

While there is still skepticism about how Amazon will handle James Bond, there will be considerably more confidence now that Villeneuve is attached to the upcoming movie. With both his Dune installments and Blade Runner 2049, Villeneuve was able to tackle a beloved IP in ways that felt refreshing while also honoring the legacy that preceded him.

Denis Villeneuve’s movies tend to be hits with critics and general audiences, and Amazon is surely counting on this reputation to bring goodwill to the project. With a director now attached, focus will turn to who will play the new 007, and Villeneuve’s involvement makes it more likely that the starring role may go to an actor he has worked with in the past.

Our Take On Denis Villeneuve Directing James Bond

Amazon Is Headed In The Right Direction

Even though there was no shortage of potential James Bond directors to choose from, going with an acclaimed director like Villeneuve was a smart choice. As someone who has loved Villeneuve’s movies, I am now far more interested in the future of the James Bond franchise than I was before.

Villeneuve can still leave the Dune franchise after the third movie, with James Bond being what he will focus on next. He is now even more integral to keeping some of the most beloved franchises alive, and I cannot wait to see what his interpretation of James Bond will look like.

Source: Amazon