TheJames Bondfranchise has undergone significant changes following Amazon’s acquisition of the 007 rights. But the biggest changes are yet to come, and they’re all thanks to one person. As fans across the world endlessly debate who will replace Daniel Craig as the next James Bond, Amazon MGM Studios pulled a sneaky spy maneuver behind fans' backs and signed a director for the 26th James Bond movie. None other than theDuneandArrivalvisionary,Denis Villeneuve, will be helming the next entry in the decades-long 007 franchise. But Villeneuve isn’t just a great director; he’s also the catalyst for massive changes to James Bond’s future.
As much as James Bond embodies the hyper-machismo spirit of being a maverick agent and breaking the rules to get the job done, at the end of the day, he reports directly to M and the British Government. That acts as a perfect metaphor for the franchise’s long line of directors.In 007’s 60+-year history on the big screen, the likes of John Glen, Martin Campbell, and Sam Mendes have all lent their talents to Bond’s cinematic legacy. But, throughout that time, they all reported directly to the Broccolis. Villeneuve will have a new boss at Amazon MGM Studios, and the studio’s choice of director means some significant changes are coming.
What Denis Villeneuve’s Hiring Means for James Bond’s Future
Very few will complain aboutDenis Villeneuve directing the 26th James Bond movie. The director has a near-flawless filmography, including the likes ofBlade Runner 2049,Arrival,Prisoners, andSicario(which most closely resembles James Bond, of all his past movies). As Villeneuve has built his reputation as a beloved director, he has been unofficially granted the prestigious label of being an “auteur” by fans. Like Wes Anderson and Christopher Nolan,Villeneuve’s movies have their own unique voice, tone, and vision, which even casual movie fans can attribute to the director.
For Villeneuve to have signed on to the next James Bond movie can only mean one thing: that Amazon MGM Studios is open to the director injecting his individuality and style into the franchise’s next entry. From his earliest works, Villeneuve has made every movie his own. EvenBlade Runner 2049, a sequel to Ridley Scott’s timeless original, had the trademarks of Villeneuve’s filmmaking style. While it hasn’t been officially confirmed, many are assuming that Denis Villeneuve will also write (or, at the very least, co-write) his new James Bond movie, as the director has done with several of his past projects.
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This will mark a majorfirst for the long-running James Bond franchise. Even the IP’s most acclaimed past directors, including Sam Mendes, were at the hands of scripts written by a team of writers. 2012’sSkyfall, which is often considered by many to be Craig’s best outing as 007, was co-written by Neal Purvis, Robert Wade, and John Logan. This dates back to 1964’sGoldfinger. While Guy Hamilton directed the movie, Richard Maibaum and Paul Dehn penned the screenplay, based on Ian Fleming’s novels.
Denis Villeneuve directing (and potentially writing) the next James Bond movie isn’t just exciting because of the director’s incredible reputation and filmography.For the first time in the franchise’s history, the director may have anoverwhelminginfluence on the story and style of the movie. Hopefully, Amazon MGM Studios will continue this approach into the franchise’s future, as it allows each new James Bond movie to stand on its own as an individual piece of cinema.
Denis Villeneuve Is a Gigantic James Bond Fan
There are always a few skeptics whenever a new director is announced to helm an installment in a beloved franchise.Even with Villeneuve’s reputation, the director has yet to tackle the spy genre. But, while his past films might say otherwise, Villeneuve is a lifelong fan of 007. Back in 2021, the director revealed that directing a James Bond film would be a dream come true.
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Fast-forward four years, and the director’s statement about his hiring only doubles down on that sentiment. “Some of my earliest movie-going memories are connected to 007,” he began. “I grew up watching James Bond films with my father, ever sinceDr. Nowith 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.”
Plot details of Denis Villeneuve’s James Bond movie are, expectedly, thin and shrouded in MI6 levels of secrecy. Now that a director has been found, Villeneuve and the studio will then move on to penning the film’s screenplay. Only after that will the studio and Villeneuve announce who will play James Bond in their movie.
