Bond Watch: Denis Villeneuve Confirms Bond 25 Director Talks; Will Make ‘Dune’ First
Denis Villenevue’sBlade Runner 2049may have underperformed at the box office, but the filmmaker is soldiering on with his next big flick: an adaptation of Frank Herbert’s sci-fi epicDune.In a recent interview, however, Villenevue confirms a rumor that’s been making the rounds: he’s been in contact about helming the next James Bond film. Will Denis Villenevue directBond 25? It’s time for a new addition of Bond Watch.
You can’t keep Denis Villenevue down. Undeterred by thebox office failureofBlade Runner 2049, the Canadian filmmaker is moving full steam ahead on his next big sci-fi adventure,Dune. But what bout Bond – James Bond? A recently releasedshortlistfor potentialBond 25directors included Villenevue’s name, and in a new interview withThe Playlist, theSicariodirector confirmed that he’s definitely not ruling the job out. That’s right: it’s time for Bond Watch: Day 101!
Here’s what Villenevue had to say about his potential Bond gig:
“The thing is I don’t now about that, but listen. Daniel Craig is a very inspiring actor and I had some contact and the thing is that I’m busy right now doing ‘Dune.’ But, I will say to have the privilege to work with him it would be a dream. I would love to work with Daniel and a Bond movie for me would be a treat. It’s a matter of timing, I guess.”
Daniel Craig isall set to returnto the role of James Bond for the possibly final time, and Villenevue indicates his desire to work with Craig is a big selling point on joining the project. But “timing” is the key word there. Villenevue is committed to making hisDuneadaptation first, and if producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson are unwilling to wait for Villenevue, they’ll likely move on to another director. Other potentialBond 25filmmakers includeHell or High Water’s David Mackenzie and'71’s Yann Demange. Of the three shortlist names, Villenevue is the most promising, and I’d love to see what he’d do with theBondworld. But I’m also very curious to see what he’s going to do withDuneas well, so it’s a bit of a toss-up.
Overall, it’s nice to know that the disappointment ofBlade Runner 2049has not tarnished Villenevue’s promising career, and that producers are still eager to work with him for big, exciting projects. BothDuneandBond 25are expected to hit theaters in 2019, withBond 25already set for a July 04, 2025 release date. Perhaps the stars will align and Villenevue will manage to pull of both. Keep your eyes peeled for the next edition ofBond Watch.
