the James Bond film for Amazon MGM Studios, the studio announced. Amy Pascal and David Heyman will produce, with Tanya Lapointe serving as executive producer.

Villeneuve was one of the rumored directors to helm the project, alongside directors such as Edward Berger, Edgar Wright, Jonathan Nolan and Paul King. It was believed that Alfonso Cuarón, a familiar collaborator of Heyman, might accept the role.

A close eye has been kept on the Bond directing gig since Amazon MGM acquired full creative control of the franchise in February in a historic deal with longtime producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson. The studio acquired distribution rights to the franchise with the $8.5 billion acquisition of MGM Studios in 2022, but a new film has not been in development. The last Bond film was Daniel Craig’s final portrayal of Bond in 2021’s No Time to Die.

Villeneuve will have his hands full with projects, as production for Dune: Messiah is set to begin this summer. The third and final installment of the franchise is set to release on December 16, 2026. He has also been tied to projects in development, such as Cleopatra; an adaptation of Arthur C. Clarke’s sci-fi novel Rendezcous with Rama; and Nuclear War: A Scenario, an adaptation of the work by Annie Jacobsen.

The four-time Oscar nominee’s resume speaks for itself. His two Frank Herbert adaptations to date have been both critical and commercial successes, receiving eight Oscars from 15 nominations and grossing over $1.1 billion worldwide. His Blade Runner sequel, Blade Runner 2049, received two Oscars from five nominations. Dune and especially Dune: Part Two have been extremely successful, as fans eagerly await the third installment of the franchise.

In a statement, Villeneuve said, “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, stated, “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 added, “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 represented by CAA, Claude Girard Agency in Canada, and Goodman, Genow, Schenkman.