Denis Villeneuve Lands The Helm For ‘Bond 26’ At Amazon MGM
Amazon MGM just found its next director for the 007 franchise in Denis Villeneuve. The director behind Sicario and Blade Runner 2049 will be joined by producers Amy Pascal for via Pascal Pictures, and David Heyman for Heyday Films, with Tonya Lapointe exec producing.
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 boarded Bond 26 back in March, marking the latest step for Amazon since acquiring MGM’s vast library of film and television titles. The two replace Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson whose work on the 007 franchise date back respectively to the 13th and 11th Bond installments, Octopussy and Moonraker.
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.”
Villeneuve is also on a roll these days ramping up the third chapter of Warner Bros. Dune franchise which is filming this summer.
Lead image: Gage Skidmore
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