Makers unveil name of next James Bond movie director

Amazon MGM Studios has announced Dune director Denis Villeneuve will now create the James Bond magic onscreen, a movie franchise that has earned appreciation from fans for decades.

The official, X handle of James Bond wrote: "Amazon MGM Studios sets Denis Villeneuve as director of next James Bond film."

This will be the 26th James Bond film.

“I grew up watching James Bond films with my father,” the new director, who calls himself a Bond fan, was quoted as saying by The Hollywood Reporter.

“I’m a die-hard Bond fan. To me, he’s sacred territory. I intend to honour the tradition and open the path for many new missions to come," he said.

In his career, he has received seven Canadian Screen Awards as well as nominations for four Academy Awards, five BAFTA Awards, and two Golden Globe Awards. Villeneuve's films have grossed more than $1.8 billion worldwide.

Villeneuve has since gained further recognition for directing science fiction films.

His work on Arrival (2016) earned an Academy Award for Best Director nomination. This was followed by Blade Runner 2049 (2017), which was critically lauded but financially unsuccessful.

His next projects were Dune (2021) and Dune: Part Two (2024), a two-part adaptation of Frank Herbert's novel of the same name that grossed a combined $1.15 billion globally.