Denis Villeneuve, the Oscar-nominated French-Canadian filmmaker, will direct the subsequent James Bond movie, Amazon MGM Studios has introduced.
The Dune director mentioned in an announcement launched by the studio that he was a “die-hard James Bond fan” and intends to “honour the custom” of the franchise.
Hypothesis has been swirling over the way forward for the 007 movies after long-time Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson stepped down from their roles in February.
Villeneuve will even function an government producer of the brand new movie, having acquired international popularity of helming the Dune franchise, in addition to Blade Runner 2049 and Arrival.
Amazon didn’t give any hints on the subsequent actor to play James Bond within the announcement, after Daniel Craig stepped again from enjoying the latest incarnation.
Villeneuve acknowledged the “huge duty” of helming the brand new movie and expressed his pleasure on the problem.
“I grew up watching James Bond movies with my father, ever since Dr No with Sean Connery. I am a die-hard Bond fan. To me, he is sacred territory,” he mentioned.
“I intend to honour the custom and open the trail for a lot of new missions to come back.”
He added that he and fellow producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman – who’ve overseen Spider-Man and Harry Potter movies respectively – have been “thrilled to deliver (Bond) again to the display”.
Head of Amazon MGM Studios Mike Hopkins hailed Villeneuve as a “cinematic grasp” and praised his potential to ship “immersive storytelling” for international audiences.
It stays unclear when the subsequent Bond movie might be launched, because the seek for the subsequent actor to play the titular spy continues.
British actors Aaron Taylor-Johnson and James Norton have been rumoured as frontrunners for the half, whereas Irish actor Paul Mescal’s identify has additionally been thrown into the combination.
Villeneuve gained prominence with a collection of vital successes together with Sicario, Prisoners and Incendies.
His 2016 science fiction thriller Arrival earned him his first Oscar nomination for guiding.
Most lately, blockbusters Dune and Dune: Half Two grossed a mixed complete of greater than $1bn (£730m) worldwide, with each movies nominated for Finest Image Oscars of their respective years.
Villeneuve is anticipated to begin taking pictures Dune Messiah, the third film of the Dune franchise, later this yr, with a possible launch date in 2026.