Denis Villeneuve Announced as Bond 26 Director

From Amazon PR:

Amazon MGM Studios today announced that Denis Villeneuve will direct the next James Bond film. Villeneuve will also serve as executive producer, alongside Tanya Lapointe. As previously announced, Amy Pascal and David Heyman will serve as producers.
Villeneuve commented, “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.”

Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, commented, “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.”

Pascal and Heyman commented, “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.”

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Comments

  • MaxCasinoMaxCasino United States
    edited 12:21am Posts: 5,075
    I wonder if he will help co-write the movie as well. He's also directed his fair share of Bond cast alumni.
  • SeveSeve The island of Lemoy
    edited 12:32am Posts: 641
    God help us, it will be slow, portentious and pretentious

    Not that I didn't enjoy "Prisoners" and "Sicario" but the pacing required for a Bond film is very different

    I didn't mind "Bladerunner 2049" but it was slow
    I didn't like "Arrival" because it was all of the above
    And, as a fan of "Dune" the book, I found that movie failed to deliver

    On the other hand, I'm also confident it won't be a disgrace to the franchise, as the guy does have talent
  • 4EverBonded4EverBonded the Ballrooms of Mars
    Posts: 12,514
    Happy about this. :)
  • Posts: 2,032
    Seve wrote: »
    God help us, it will be slow, portentious and pretentious

    If that's the way you feel maybe it's time for you to find another franchise to follow.
  • Posts: 645
    My first thought is between Pascal and Villeneuve, Amazon keeps hiring people associated with Broccoli/Wilson. As of now, it doesn't seem like they want to rock the boat too much — which, on my opinion, is a good call.
  • Posts: 9,972
    Interesting he is who Eon wanted before their departure so at the very least i will say this

    If its good for EON its good for me and finally the first piece of good news for bond 26
  • Posts: 2,111
    We are in for one banger of a Bond film!!
  • thedovethedove hiding in the Greek underworld
    Posts: 5,911
    Haven't seen a single movie of his. But I am happy to see a fellow Canuck in charge of the next film. I will need to brush up and watch some of his films. Any suggestions on which one would be a good one to watch?

    How will he do this and manage his Dune films? I thought there was a third one coming?
  • RichardTheBruceRichardTheBruce I'm motivated by my Duty.
    Posts: 14,523
    Well that moves things forward doesn't it.
  • Posts: 645
    thedove wrote: »
    Haven't seen a single movie of his. But I am happy to see a fellow Canuck in charge of the next film. I will need to brush up and watch some of his films. Any suggestions on which one would be a good one to watch?

    How will he do this and manage his Dune films? I thought there was a third one coming?

    This will probably be after Dune: Messiah, which if I recall correctly releases next year.
  • DenbighDenbigh UK
    edited 12:39am Posts: 6,023
    Dune: Messiah is apparently set to begin filming in the next two weeks, with a potential release date of late 2026. Funnily enough, Linus Sandgren, who worked on No Time To Die, will be the cinematographer
  • QBranchQBranch Always have an escape plan. Mine is watching James Bond films.
    Posts: 15,201
    Enjoyed Blade Runner and Arrival so I'll take it. Cue Bond 26 production thread!
  • Posts: 370
    Next Dune film is due Dec 2026… I guess that means we won’t get Bond 26 until late 2027…
  • Last_Rat_StandingLast_Rat_Standing Long Neck Ice Cold Beer Never Broke My Heart
    Posts: 4,743
    Yeah we're in for that LTK to GE level hiatus but I'm excited for DV.
  • slide_99slide_99 USA
    Posts: 791
    fetchimage?siteId=7575&v=2&jpgQuality=100&width=700&url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.kym-cdn.com%2Fentries%2Ficons%2Fmedium%2F000%2F035%2F838%2Fcover1.jpg
  • SeveSeve The island of Lemoy
    edited 1:00am Posts: 641
    delfloria wrote: »
    Seve wrote: »
    God help us, it will be slow, portentious and pretentious

    If that's the way you feel maybe it's time for you to find another franchise to follow.

    Why?
    Is he going to direct every future Bond film from here on?

    Besides, I didn't say I disliked all his movies, only that they often display certain traits which I don't think will be a plus in the context of James Bond

    I hope he proves me wrong
  • Posts: 460
    This is fantastic news! I can’t wait. It’s strange to call a director of his caliber a safe choice but it’s seems that, so far, Amazon is securing the future of Bond with talent that both fits and elevates the brand. It’s important to point out that the franchise wouldn’t be in such a golden position without Broccoli and Wilson making some of the most successful big budget films of the last twenty years.
  • DenbighDenbigh UK
    Posts: 6,023
    Have to say Empire have taken the win for my favourite wording of the announcement;

    "Villeneuve is swapping spice for spies!"

    https://x.com/empiremagazine/status/1938037481963757881
  • Posts: 2,032
    Seve wrote: »
    delfloria wrote: »
    Seve wrote: »
    God help us, it will be slow, portentious and pretentious

    If that's the way you feel maybe it's time for you to find another franchise to follow.

    Why?
    Is he going to direct every future Bond film from here on?

    Besides, I didn't say I disliked all his movies, only that they often display certain traits which I don't think will be a plus in the context of James Bond

    I hope he proves me wrong

    If you feel this way about Denis, who is a Bond fan, who grew up on Sean Connery, I don't know what you want. If the Connery years don't rock your boat then you truly may not be happy with his work.
  • QBranchQBranch Always have an escape plan. Mine is watching James Bond films.
    Posts: 15,201
    Is Villeneuve one of the directors who had an outline for a Bond story?
  • SecretAgentMan⁰⁰⁷SecretAgentMan⁰⁰⁷ Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria
    Posts: 2,716
    This also means Hans Zimmer could very well be scoring Bond 26...and with enough time to prepare this time around.
  • FeyadorFeyador Montreal, Canada
    edited 3:26am Posts: 777
    If you loved Craig, you'll love Villeneuve ...

    Bond, en mode full existentiel, qui drop des monologues sur le temps, la trahison pis le désert!
  • Posts: 718
    This kinda gives me an idea what to expect at least, even if we don't know quite yet what they're aiming for. I just doubt Villeneuve is gonna make a lighthearted movie like a TSWLM. I think it will be similar in tone to Craig era based on his filmography. It will likely be atmospheric and contemplative, but still offer thrilling entertainment as his latest movies usually do.
  • SeveSeve The island of Lemoy
    Posts: 641

    delfloria wrote: »
    Seve wrote: »
    delfloria wrote: »
    Seve wrote: »
    God help us, it will be slow, portentious and pretentious

    If that's the way you feel maybe it's time for you to find another franchise to follow.

    Why?
    Is he going to direct every future Bond film from here on?

    Besides, I didn't say I disliked all his movies, only that they often display certain traits which I don't think will be a plus in the context of James Bond

    I hope he proves me wrong

    If you feel this way about Denis, who is a Bond fan, who grew up on Sean Connery, I don't know what you want. If the Connery years don't rock your boat then you truly may not be happy with his work.

    What has Connery or his Bond movies got to do with it?

    I love the Connery films, but just being a fan doesn't make me qualified to direct a Bond movie and the same goes for Denis

    Villeneuve is good director, but he has his own distinctive and particular style, and I have some doubts about whether his style will suit a Bond movie

    He's not going to suddenly decide to imitate Terrence Young, or James Cameron, or Paul Greengrass or any other respected director of action movies

    Stanley Kubrick or Billy Wilder or Sean Baker might be (or have been) big fans of Bond, but I'm not sure I'd want any of them to direct one

    Can he adapt?
    We're going to find out
  • Has he worked with anyone who has been linked with playing Bond?
  • Posts: 898
    This is the best news possible. We are in for a treat. The man is a genius. Just hope they get the casting right .
  • SecretAgentMan⁰⁰⁷SecretAgentMan⁰⁰⁷ Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria
    edited 6:24am Posts: 2,716
    Another thing is, I don't think Villeneuve was the top choice for a lot of Bond fans. But the man knows how to direct big-looking films. I suspect that's what Amazon wants to do. They most likely want to make a gargantuan Bond film...if not, why hire Villeneuve? They could easily have gone with another director, if they wanted to make a very grounded Bond film.
  • Posts: 8,313
    Hmm! There's no question it will be well made under Villeneuve, but he wouldn't be my choice!
    Not really keen on any of his output, bar 'Sicario'!
  • Fire_and_Ice_ReturnsFire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!
    Posts: 25,986
    This could end up being a master stroke Denis is clearly a fan, I would love a film that feels like a Terence Young Bond film, I think that is in Denis wheelhouse.
  • Posts: 898
    Let the Chalamet for Bond rumours commence! I’d still prefer Theo James or Paul Mescal but you never know. With Dune 3 on the horizon I presume Bond 26 won’t kick off principal filming until next year for a late 2027 release? Seems logical.
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