Denis Villeneuve is trading sandworms for spies as he takes the helm of the next James Bond film.
Amazon MGM Studios announced Wednesday that Villeneuve will direct the upcoming 007 movie — the first since the studio assumed creative control of the legendary franchise from the Broccoli family, who oversaw Bond’s cinematic legacy for decades.
Producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman had previously stated they would secure a screenplay and director before casting the next Bond. Now, they’ve landed one of Hollywood’s most acclaimed filmmakers, fresh off the success of his two Dune films.
In a statement, the 57-year-old French Canadian director reflected on his lifelong love of the Bond series.
“I’m a die-hard Bond fan. To me, he’s sacred territory,” Villeneuve said. “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.”
