EoN sells up - Amazon MGM to produce 007 going forwards (Denis Villeneuve to Direct)

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Comments

  • buddyoldchapbuddyoldchap Formerly known as JeremyBondon
    Posts: 331
    Well, color my interest piqued. Not my top choice, but we could do a lot worse. Save from Dune, which just isn't my thing, he has made some good films for sure. However, I expect him to serve Bond, not the other way around. Please no slow and gritty Bond. Bring the fun back, let's say a healthy balance.
  • BennyBenny Shaken not stirredAdministrator, Moderator
    Posts: 15,443
    Benny wrote: »
    I have to say this is quite unexpected news. I didn’t think we’d be getting director news for a while yet.
    I’m not fully across Denis Villeneuve work, but from what I have seen I have no concerns. Especially knowing his personal love of the series.

    I wonder if this will silence the naysayers who complain at the lack of news… being no better off than we were with EON or such like.
    I live in hope. 8-|

    Time to watch Dune...

    I’ve seen it. Much better than the 80’s one.
  • Posts: 181
    An unapologetic Bond in an atmospheric world can really pop in contrast.
  • Mendes4LyfeMendes4Lyfe The long road ahead
    edited 6:32am Posts: 9,107
    Well I'm not going to pretend this is some devastating blow, I'm more just gently disappointed and somewhat saddened. @007HallY and others were correct, Amazon have gone with the continuity candidate, the safest, most non-offensive option that most general filmgoers will feel generally positive about, won't rock the boat and we'll likely see the sixth Craig film without starring Daniel Craig.

    It's just disappointing because I really felt that Bond 26 required embracing a new creative direction and doing something bold and fresh, and instead were going to be served the same grey, slow, moody stuff that we've seen for the past 3 films. I've seen enough of Villeneuves work to know his sensibilities, and while undoubtedly good at what he does, he's not the most adaptable filmmaker who can turn his hand at anything, like a Speilberg. The fact that he's the guy Amazon has picked, means that the movie will be something that plays comfortably inside his wheelhouse, and the same brooding, cerebral register of his other movies. That's perfectly fine, he's talented and should do a fine job, it's not a disaster, it's just not a very inspired choice IMO. I hoping for a brave change of course, and while I personally would love Edgar Wright or Alfonso Cuaron to do it, I was even coming around on the likes of Edward Berger. That's someone who I thought might be able to give the series a bit of dynamism and sharpness back, but now it seems we're in for more of the same: A dreary, contemplative air, slow scenes where each location change starts with a 30 seconds of establishing shots (he loves doing this with Dune), a sluggish story that seems to meander along and frequently drifts into tangents, and then occasional capsules or pockets of "classic bond" cheesiness to toss some red meat to the fans.

    Again I'm not devastated, Denis is very competent at what he does and we certainly could have done a lot worse, but personally am going to have a hard time getting enthused about any of this. My main hope going forward will be whether he can re-establish the fundamentals correctly for another filmmaker to do something with later on. Sort of like how Chris Columbus was responsible for hiring Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson, and designed how Hogwarts should look from the ground up and without getting those early steps right a film like Azkaban would have never happened. If Villeneuve casts a Bond that meets Flemings description and establishes the new MI6 and essentially beds us in with a new status quo, then that could set things up nicely them to go somewhere interesting with Bond 27, but as of right now it feels like the Craig era I've been so ready to move on from was just resurrected and put on life support.
  • edited 7:39am Posts: 2,170

    We have news! It wasn't that hard after all.
    We talked a lot about Denis Villeneuve, it's not a surprise.

    Now, the next Bond.

  • edited 6:39am Posts: 146
    It's just disappointing because I really felt that Bond 26 required embracing a new creative direction and doing something bold and fresh, and instead were going to be served the same grey, slow, moody stuff that we've seen for the past 3 films.

    Totally agree. Huge disappointment. My anticipation now drops to zero, sadly.

  • CraigMooreOHMSSCraigMooreOHMSS Dublin, Ireland
    Posts: 8,306
    Well I'm not going to pretend this is some devastating blow, I'm more just gently disappointed and somewhat saddened. @007HallY and others were correct, Amazon have gone with the continuity candidate, the safest, most non-offensive option that most general filmgoers will feel generally positive about, won't rock the boat and we'll likely see the sixth Craig film without starring Daniel Craig.

    It's just disappointing because I really felt that Bond 26 required embracing a new creative direction and doing something bold and fresh, and instead were going to be served the same grey, slow, moody stuff that we've seen for the past 3 films. I've seen enough of Villeneuves work to know his sensibilities, and while undoubtedly good at what he does, he's not the most adaptable filmmaker who can turn his hand at anything, like a Speilberg. The fact that he's the guy Amazon has picked, means that the movie will be something that plays comfortably inside his wheelhouse, and the same brooding, cerebral register of his other movies. That's perfectly fine, he's talented and should do a fine job, it's not a disaster, it's just not a very inspired choice IMO. I hoping for a brave change of course, and while I personally would love Edgar Wright or Alfonso Cuaron to do it, I was even coming around on the likes of Edward Berger. That's someone who I thought might be able to give the series a bit of dynamism and sharpness back, but now it seems we're in for more of the same: A dreary, contemplative air, slow scenes where each location change starts with a 30 seconds of establishing shots (he loves doing this with Dune), a sluggish story that seems to meander along and frequently drifts into tangents, and then occasional capsules or pockets of "classic bond" cheesiness to toss some red meat to the fans.

    Again I'm not devastated, Denis is very competent at what he does and we certainly could have done a lot worse, but personally am going to have a hard time getting enthused about any of this. My main hope going forward will be whether he can re-establish the fundamentals correctly for another filmmaker to do something with later on. Sort of like how Chris Columbus was responsible for hiring Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson, and designed how Hogwarts should look from the ground up and without getting those early steps right a film like Azkaban would have never happened. If Villeneuve casts a Bond that meets Flemings description and establishes the new MI6 and essentially beds us in with a new status quo, then that could set things up nicely them to go somewhere interesting with Bond 27, but as of right now it feels like the Craig era I've been so ready to move on from was just resurrected and put on life support.

    Maybe they could force Villeneuve to make something breezy and lighthearted.
  • edited 7:12am Posts: 5,501
    Well I'm not going to pretend this is some devastating blow, I'm more just gently disappointed and somewhat saddened. @007HallY and others were correct, Amazon have gone with the continuity candidate, the safest, most non-offensive option that most general filmgoers will feel generally positive about, won't rock the boat and we'll likely see the sixth Craig film without starring Daniel Craig.

    It's just disappointing because I really felt that Bond 26 required embracing a new creative direction and doing something bold and fresh, and instead were going to be served the same grey, slow, moody stuff that we've seen for the past 3 films. I've seen enough of Villeneuves work to know his sensibilities, and while undoubtedly good at what he does, he's not the most adaptable filmmaker who can turn his hand at anything, like a Speilberg. The fact that he's the guy Amazon has picked, means that the movie will be something that plays comfortably inside his wheelhouse, and the same brooding, cerebral register of his other movies. That's perfectly fine, he's talented and should do a fine job, it's not a disaster, it's just not a very inspired choice IMO. I hoping for a brave change of course, and while I personally would love Edgar Wright or Alfonso Cuaron to do it, I was even coming around on the likes of Edward Berger. That's someone who I thought might be able to give the series a bit of dynamism and sharpness back, but now it seems we're in for more of the same: A dreary, contemplative air, slow scenes where each location change starts with a 30 seconds of establishing shots (he loves doing this with Dune), a sluggish story that seems to meander along and frequently drifts into tangents, and then occasional capsules or pockets of "classic bond" cheesiness to toss some red meat to the fans.

    Again I'm not devastated, Denis is very competent at what he does and we certainly could have done a lot worse, but personally am going to have a hard time getting enthused about any of this. My main hope going forward will be whether he can re-establish the fundamentals correctly for another filmmaker to do something with later on. Sort of like how Chris Columbus was responsible for hiring Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson, and designed how Hogwarts should look from the ground up and without getting those early steps right a film like Azkaban would have never happened. If Villeneuve casts a Bond that meets Flemings description and establishes the new MI6 and essentially beds us in with a new status quo, then that could set things up nicely them to go somewhere interesting with Bond 27, but as of right now it feels like the Craig era I've been so ready to move on from was just resurrected and put on life support.

    Ironically I’m not actually a Villeneuve fan, haha. But I’m excited to see what he does. I don’t think I ever phrased the next director pick needing to be ‘a continuity candidate’ or anything like that. Every director will bring something different. I also don’t see how Villeneuve is that different to Cuaron honestly or what exactly you’re disappointed about as of now… This is good news, surely? The franchise we love just got a director and a new film is now more in sight.

    Maybe just wait to see the film before making up your mind about all this. It feels like a self fulfilling prophecy if you set yourself up to dislike it.
  • Posts: 15,798
    I'm just happy a fellow Quebecker will direct a Bond film. As for playing it safe, I'd rather Amazon play safe for now than get creative.
  • Posts: 2,170
    Ludovico wrote: »
    I'm just happy a fellow Quebecker will direct a Bond film. As for playing it safe, I'd rather Amazon play safe for now than get creative.

    Rather than playing it safe, it seems they are sparing no expense.
  • Mendes4LyfeMendes4Lyfe The long road ahead
    Posts: 9,107
    Ludovico wrote: »
    I'm just happy a fellow Quebecker will direct a Bond film. As for playing it safe, I'd rather Amazon play safe for now than get creative.

    Rather than playing it safe, it seems they are sparing no expense.

    "Playing it safe" has nothing to do with how much money is spent. The Force Awakens is one of the most expensive films ever made, they certainly spared no expense getting the original cast back for that, and yet creatively they played it very safe.
  • MakeshiftPythonMakeshiftPython “Baja?!”
    Posts: 8,739
    I wouldn’t say TFA wholly played it safe. They took the formula of the original film verbatim, but then they also killed Han Solo, preventing any on screen reunion between the original three main characters.
  • Mendes4LyfeMendes4Lyfe The long road ahead
    edited 8:51am Posts: 9,107
    I wouldn’t say TFA wholly played it safe. They took the formula of the original film verbatim, but then they also killed Han Solo, preventing any on screen reunion between the original three main characters.

    But wasn't that the basis for Ford returning at all? They did it because they wanted Han Solo to be in the movie.
  • edited 8:48am Posts: 2,170
    Ludovico wrote: »
    I'm just happy a fellow Quebecker will direct a Bond film. As for playing it safe, I'd rather Amazon play safe for now than get creative.

    Rather than playing it safe, it seems they are sparing no expense.

    "Playing it safe" has nothing to do with how much money is spent. The Force Awakens is one of the most expensive films ever made, they certainly spared no expense getting the original cast back for that, and yet creatively they played it very safe.

    But what's certain here is that they've hired one of the most acclaimed mainstream directors of this era. He's not Nolan, but he's not a cheap TV director either.
  • Posts: 1,510
    Villeneuve is an excellent director. Bond is in strong creative hands.
  • Posts: 6,874
    ColonelSun wrote: »
    Villeneuve is an excellent director. Bond is in strong creative hands.

    Best news since...2011 and the Skyfall press conference. Very, very happy about all this.
  • Posts: 15,798
    Ludovico wrote: »
    I'm just happy a fellow Quebecker will direct a Bond film. As for playing it safe, I'd rather Amazon play safe for now than get creative.

    Rather than playing it safe, it seems they are sparing no expense.

    "Playing it safe" has nothing to do with how much money is spent. The Force Awakens is one of the most expensive films ever made, they certainly spared no expense getting the original cast back for that, and yet creatively they played it very safe.

    But what's certain here is that they've hired one of the most acclaimed mainstream directors of this era. He's not Nolan, but he's not a cheap TV director either.
    Regarding Villeneuve, I don't think they're playing it safe as much as playing it responsibly. As they should. To be honest, I'm happily surprised.
  • George_KaplanGeorge_Kaplan Being chauffeured by Tibbett
    Posts: 814
    007HallY wrote: »
    Maybe just wait to see the film before making up your mind about all this. It feels like a self fulfilling prophecy if you set yourself up to dislike it.

    Mark my words, Bond 26 will remain Bond 26 for @Mendes4Lyfe.
  • Posts: 5,501
    I mean, presumably the new producers have spoken to all the potential directors and have heard what they have to say about Bond and where they'd take this film. If Villeneuve's come out on top, there must be a reason (his reputation and track record as a director aside that is).
  • SecretAgentMan⁰⁰⁷SecretAgentMan⁰⁰⁷ Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria
    Posts: 2,720
    007HallY wrote: »
    Maybe just wait to see the film before making up your mind about all this. It feels like a self fulfilling prophecy if you set yourself up to dislike it.

    Mark my words, Bond 26 will remain Bond 26 for @Mendes4Lyfe.

    Lol. That's true. He's already calling Bond 26, the sixth Craig film.
  • SIS_HQSIS_HQ At the Vauxhall Headquarters
    Posts: 3,963
    ColonelSun wrote: »
    Villeneuve is an excellent director. Bond is in strong creative hands.

    The creative direction of Bond would lie on the scriptwriters, not particularly on the director.
  • Posts: 6,874
    SIS_HQ wrote: »
    ColonelSun wrote: »
    Villeneuve is an excellent director. Bond is in strong creative hands.

    The creative direction of Bond would lie on the scriptwriters, not particularly on the director.

    Not if he has anything to say about it. It'll be a collaborative effort, I'm sure.
  • Posts: 1,510
    SIS_HQ wrote: »
    ColonelSun wrote: »
    Villeneuve is an excellent director. Bond is in strong creative hands.

    The creative direction of Bond would lie on the scriptwriters, not particularly on the director.

    Ah, no that's not true. I'm a screenwriter myself, plus I've produced and directed. The writers have a major creative say for sure, but it's always a core team effort and the director is front and centre and leads with the producers.
  • Posts: 6,874
    ColonelSun wrote: »
    SIS_HQ wrote: »
    ColonelSun wrote: »
    Villeneuve is an excellent director. Bond is in strong creative hands.

    The creative direction of Bond would lie on the scriptwriters, not particularly on the director.

    Ah, no that's not true. I'm a screenwriter myself, plus I've produced and directed. The writers have a major creative say for sure, but it's always a core team effort and the director is front and centre and leads with the producers.

    Exactly, besides, how many times do we think DV has dreamed of and conjured narratives for Bond? He is a diehard fan, after all. They probably already have some sort of an idea that he pitched, or will eventually. No worries, we're in safe hands. This is the sort of fan we want behind the camera with a pencil on his writing hand.
  • Posts: 5,501
    If anything it's the scriptwriters fulfilling the creative direction set out by the director/producers! I understand that's very simplistic/there's always that collaborative element though.

    Anyway, I'm not sure if I can say specifically for now what exactly Villeneuve will bring to Bond on a story/character basis. I'm very interested in seeing what kind of world he puts this new Bond in (for all my issues with his films he's excellent at crafting these very vivid worlds in films like Dune and Blade Runner). I think his villain will be very interesting too. Plus he's generally made films with good female characters.
  • SecretAgentMan⁰⁰⁷SecretAgentMan⁰⁰⁷ Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria
    edited 11:35am Posts: 2,720
    Trying to imagine a Villeneuve Bond film, one can already see it's going to be a colossal-looking Bond film.
  • LeonardPineLeonardPine The Bar on the Beach
    Posts: 4,381
    Good news. Have enjoyed all his work to varying degrees. Loved his Dune films. Bond seems to be in safe hands. Definitely means Hans Zimmer could return...
  • edited 11:52am Posts: 548
    Yahoo Movies:
    Nobody expects a Denis Villeneuve take on James Bond to arrive in a hurry. For starters, he is set to spend the next 18 months or so shooting, editing, and releasing his third Dune movie, based this time on Frank Herbert's sequel novel Dune Messiah. Villeneuve is reportedly shooting Messiah in the summer of 2025, with December 2026 the rumoured release window. So it wouldn't be until 2027 that Villeneuve's focus could even begin to shift to Bond, with 2029 or even 2030 a likely release date. We're almost certainly looking at the biggest gap between 007 adventure.

    Dune 3's release date is December 18, 2026.

    I think it's likely Bond 26/1 will be summer or winter 2028. If it is 2028 then Amazon could have delayed Villeneuve's announcement until next year. Indeed, it may not please Warner Bros because it's inevitable the press junkets for Dune 3 will have journalists going off topic and saying "can you tell us anything about Bond 26, what's it about?"

    It may take some of the attention away from Dune 3.

    If Bond 26/1 is 2028 there was no reason to announce Villeneuve now. But maybe Villeneuve is prepared to make Bond 26/1 for winter 2027? Assuming that's possible. If it's 2029 or 30... well it's crazy to announce Villeneuve now. 😂

  • Posts: 6,874
    Patrice Vermette or Dennis Gassner would be wonderful as production designers, wouldn't they?
  • ImpertinentGoonImpertinentGoon Everybody needs a hobby.
    Posts: 1,422
    bondywondy wrote: »
    Yahoo Movies:
    Nobody expects a Denis Villeneuve take on James Bond to arrive in a hurry. For starters, he is set to spend the next 18 months or so shooting, editing, and releasing his third Dune movie, based this time on Frank Herbert's sequel novel Dune Messiah. Villeneuve is reportedly shooting Messiah in the summer of 2025, with December 2026 the rumoured release window. So it wouldn't be until 2027 that Villeneuve's focus could even begin to shift to Bond, with 2029 or even 2030 a likely release date. We're almost certainly looking at the biggest gap between 007 adventure.

    Dune 3's release date is December 18, 2026.

    I think it's likely Bond 26/1 will be summer or winter 2028. If it is 2028 then Amazon could have delayed Villeneuve's announcement until next year. Indeed, it may not please Warner Bros because it's inevitable the press junkets for Dune 3 will have journalists going off topic and saying "can you tell us anything about Bond 26, what's it about?"

    It may take some of the attention away from Dune 3.

    If Bond 26/1 is 2028 there was no reason to announce Villeneuve now. But maybe Villeneuve is prepared to make Bond 26/1 for winter 2027? Assuming that's possible. If it's 2029 or 30... well it's crazy to announce Villeneuve now. 😂

    They are announcing him now because they want to get going on casting or announcing their actor pick. They are not sitting around. They want to get stuff done. Easier to do it this way around.


    Is my totally unfounded speculation.
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