Denis Villeneuve to Direct Next James Bond Film for Amazon MGM
The search for the next James Bond involves three to five actors, with screen tests encompassing stunt work, on-camera acting, and dialogue delivery, as various sources report.
Amazon MGM Takes the Reins
Daniel Craig relinquished the role following his final appearance in the 2021 film No Time to Die.
Since then, Amazon MGM—which acquired rights to the franchise in 2022 through an 8.45 billion dollar deal—has assumed creative control from the Brokoli family, paying over a billion dollars for that authority last year.
Clearing the Rumor Mill
Contrary to prior rumors, Jack O’Connells of the film Sinners and Jacob Elordi of Wuthering Heights are not participating in screen tests, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Studio Appeals for Patience
Amazon has maintained a measured public stance on the timeline. In April, Courtney Valenti, head of Amazon’s film division, urged audiences to exercise patience regarding the casting announcement.
I know that you all are wondering when we will announce who will portray James Bond,
Valenti said.
Don’t get ahead of your excitement. Please know that we are taking the time to do this thoughtfully and with deep respect. The opportunity to bring audiences this next chapter is the lifetime job of all of us, and we take that responsibility very seriously.
Denis Villeneuve shares why he chose James Bond to follow DUNE:“I thought, ‘When it’s done, I need a very powerful rocket to pull me away from Arrakis.’ When I was asked to do the next Bond, I said: ‘Okay, this is what I need.’” (Source: @empiremagazine) pic.twitter.com/c2JzlTFH0M
Silence on the Current Roster
Studio representatives pointed the Hollywood Reporter to a previous statement when asked about the current casting roster: The search for the next James Bond continues. While we do not plan to comment on specific details during the casting process, we look forward to sharing news with 007 fans when the right moment arrives.
Building the Creative Team
Behind the camera, Denis Villeneuve, director of Dune, is slated to helm the next installment for Amazon MGM.
Villeneuve, described as a devoted fan of the franchise, noted that the opportunity to contribute to the series prompted him to step away from the Dune franchise after dedicating much of the past decade to it. Writing duties for the upcoming film belong to Steven Knight, creator of the television series Peaky Blinders.
More on Denis Villeneuve
Denis Villeneuve decided to direct the new James Bond movie after completing "Dune 3" because "I need a very powerful rocket to pull me away from Arrakis."“I said, ‘Maybe it’s a good idea to go back to [Dune for a third movie], not out of nostalgia, not because I miss it, but… pic.twitter.com/ae1IvqpsxA”