Amazon MGM, which took control of the James Bond franchise in February, has announced that Denis Villeneuve will direct the next 007 film. In addition, Tanya Lapointe will serve as executive producer.
Villeneuve already has a notable filmography in his career. He is responsible for the new Dune trilogy, and has also worked on Blade Runner 2049, Arrival, Sicario, and many others.
"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," Villeneuve commented.
Tania Lapointe already has a long history of working with Villeneuve and has been involved in many of his previous films, including Dune.
It was also previously reported that Amy Pascal and David Gaiman will serve as producers on the film. Pascal is known for her work on many Marvel films, including Spider-Man: No Way Home, while Gaiman worked on the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and Paddington series.
The biggest mystery surrounding James Bond remains who will play Bond himself. There have been rumors for a long time that actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who recently starred in 28 Years Later, could be offered the role, but there have been no updates on the subject.
The film isn't the only thing waiting for Bond in the near future. Earlier in June, IOI Interactive, the studio known for the Hitman series, unveiled the first gameplay trailer for its own game about the young agent 007.