Dune franchise director Denis Villeneuve has been announced as the director of the next James Bond movie.
The announcement’s been described as a shake up for the long-running film franchise in the wake of Amazon MGM taking over creative control earlier this year.
Villeneuve, a self-confessed “die-hard” 007 fan, vowed to “honour the tradition” of the “sacred territory” while helming the 26th Bond film.
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“Some of my earliest movie-going memories are connected to 007,” the 57-year-old French-Canadian filmmaker said in a statement.
“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 honour 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 honour.
Amazon MGM Studios head Mike Hopkins hinted Villeneuve could be signed up for more than one film, saying the four-time Oscar-nominee “has agreed to direct James Bond’s next chapter”.
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But who Villeneuve will be directing in the lead role of the newest spy caper in the series still remains a mystery.
Producers Amy Pascal (best known for the Spiderman and Venom film franchises) and David Heyman (best known for the Harry Potter and Paddington film franchises) vowed to develop a screenplay and find their director before casting their leading man.
“Denis Villeneuve has been in love with James Bond movies since he was a little boy,” the pair said in a statement.
“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.”
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The untitled film will be the first since the studio took creative reins of the storied film franchise after decades of control by the Broccoli family.
Since the shock announcement in February, Amazon MGM has worked quickly to get the next movie going as they try to win over fans skeptical of the new corporate leadership and the fearful of future spinoffs.
No release date has been announced for the next 007 movie.
Villeneuve will shoot the third Dune film this summer. If production on Bond began next year, a release sometime in 2027 would be likely.
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Villeneuve’s first two Dune films have together surpassed $US1 billion ($1.5 billion) at the box office worldwide and was nominated for a combined 15 Academy Awards, winning seven.
His other films include Blade Runner 2049, Arrival, Sicario, Prisoners, Enemy and Incendies.
– Reported with Associated Press.
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