Entertainment
Denis Villeneuve Chose to Direct New James Bond Movie After ‘Dune 3’ Because ‘I Need a Powerful Rocket to Pull Me Away From Arrakis’
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Published 10/15/2026 3:34:20 PM
Denis Villeneuve on Why He Said Yes to James Bond
Denis Villeneuve recently told Empire that he returned to “Dune” for a third and final chapter so he can be “severe with the material,” and that his upcoming James Bond movie will be the “very powerful rocket” he needs to “pull me away from Arrakis.”
“I said, ‘Maybe it’s a good idea to go back to this project, not out of nostalgia, not because I miss it, but the opposite — I’m tired of it.’ I want to make sure that I will be severe with the material. That I will not be complacent,” he explained. “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: ‘OK, this is what I need.’”
Villeneuve, director of “Prisoners,” “Sicario” and “Arrival,” has not helmed a film outside the “Dune” franchise since “Part One” was released in 2021. “Dune: Part Two” hit theaters in 2024, and “Dune: Part Three” will debut on Dec. 18, 2026.
In June 2025, it was revealed that Villeneuve, a self-described “die-hard Bond fan,” will direct the next 007 movie. There’s been much speculation about who will take up the mantle after Daniel Craig’s 15-year run. Gary Oldman recently claimed that the next James Bond has already been picked, but no official casting announcement has been made.
Based on Frank Herbert’s “Dune Messiah,” “Dune: Part Three” chronicles Paul Atreides’ fall from prophetic liberator to tyrannical emperor. Timothée Chalamet stars as Paul alongside Zendaya, Jason Momoa, Florence Pugh, Robert Pattinson, Anya Taylor-Joy, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin and Javier Bardem.
In her own sit-down with Empire, Zendaya discussed the arc of her character, Chani, in “Dune: Part 3.” She revealed that in the new film, Chani feels “a deep pain” and “a deep betrayal” as Paul becomes unrecognizable from the man she fell in love with.
“In the previous film, she opened herself up to the idea of letting someone in, allowing a space for love or gentleness,” she said. “Well, we see how that goes. That part of her life is not as present anymore.”
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Denis Villeneuve will direct the next James Bond film, Amazon MGM Studios has revealed, with Tanya Lapointe signing on as an executive producer. As previously announced, Amy Pascal and David Heyman will serve as producers.
“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. “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, added, “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 said, “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 an acclaimed, Oscar-nominated French-Canadian filmmaker who most recently helmed “Dune” and “Dune: Part Two” for Warner Bros.; a third installment, “Dune: Messiah” is in development and dated for release in 2026. With the “Dune” franchise and “Blade Runner 2049,” Villeneuve has proven immensely capable at refreshing and wrangling established I.P., as well as helming standout original stories including “Arrival,” “Sicario,” “Prisoners,” “Enemy” and “Incendies.”
Pascal will produce the new film via Pascal Pictures, and Heyman will produce via Heyday Films. The duo officially signed on for the roles in March, after Amazon MGM struck a landmark deal with longtime producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson that saw them cede creative control of the Bond franchise to the streaming giant.
When Amazon purchased MGM in 2021 (to the tune of $8.5 billion), the streamer acquired the rights to distribute the highly lucrative spy movies, but only owned 50% of the franchise and was relegated to being a passive partner in terms of artistic choices. Then, this Feburary, after years of stalls and false starts on a new installment following 2021’s “No Time to Die,” which saw Daniel Craig’s five-film tenure as 007 come to an end, the three entities — Wilson, Broccoli and Amazon MGM — formed a joint venture to house the intellectual property rights while allowing all three to remain co-owners of the property.
At CinemaCon in April, Amazon executives Courtenay Valenti and Sue Kroll teased that Pascal and Heyman were hard at work on a “fresh, exhilarating new chapter” to the franchise.
“We are committed to honoring the legacy of this iconic character,” Valenti and Kroll said on stage at Caesars Palace. “They’re both in London getting started and couldn’t be here tonight, but we wanted to thank them for what we know to make an incredible partnership.”
Now, the question is who Villeneuve will cast as the martini-sipping superspy? Variety assembled a list of some worthy contenders.
Villeneuve is represented by CAA, Carlos Goodman and ID.
