New Delhi: One of the biggest and most popular movie franchises of all time, the James Bond films are all set to get a mega revamp. A major staple of global popular culture, the James Bond series have been part of film culture for a large part of its existence. Th films have changed with the time; reflecting technology, morals and storytelling mores of the times with successive releases. The films have also given the world of filmmaking ample talent; launching, cementing and furthering many careers.
This time round, the franchise is set to change considerably, with change of production hands the coming James Bond films have a lot of expectations riding on them. While a new actor is slated to take over the iconic role of James Bond, one that has not been decided as of yet, a new director was also eagerly anticipated. One has now been announced, a name that might surprise more than a few fans, of both the James Bond franchise and of the director as well.
Denis Villeneuve to head the next James Bond film
Amazon MGM Studios has announced that director Denis Villeneuve will direct the next James Bond film. Head of Amazon MGM Studios, Mike Hopkins, said on Wednesday: “We are honoured that Denis has agreed to direct James Bond’s next chapter. He is a cinematic master, whose filmography speaks for itself … 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.”
The Oscar-nominated director of Dune, Arrival, Sicario and Blade Runner 2049 fame is one of the most critically acclaimed director working in Hollywood at the moment. While his filmmaking style may not remind one of James Bond at first thought, with the series trying to reinvent itself as well, he perhaps is a fit choice. An immaculate storyteller with a modernist filmmaking vision, his entry though can bring a new flavour to classics and might be the right step for the franchise moving forward.
“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,” Villeneuve said in a statement on Wednesday. “I intend to honour 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 honour,” he further added.
Villeneuve’s appointment is part of a wider shakeup of the Bond franchise, after longtime producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson gave creative control to Amazon MGM Studios in a deal reported to have cost around US$1bn. There has still been no confirmation of who the next James Bind will be though, after the exit of Daniel Craig, whose last Bond film, No Time to Die made US$774m worldwide.