A SELF-CONFESSED “die hard Bond fan” has been officially announced as the director of the new 007 movie.
The chuffed Canadian film-maker told how some of his “earliest movie-going memories” were linked to the James Bond movie franchise.
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Now Dune director Denis Villeneuve, 57, has been appointed the director of the 26th James Bond flick by Amazon MGM, with an announcement revealing he will also work as executive producer.
It comes as the mystery as to who will play the movie protagonist remains under wraps – with a new Brit name in the frame.
Now Denis, who has also made films including Sicario and Arrival, will work on the flick alongside his professional partner Tanya Lapointe.
He spoke out after his role was made public and 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.”
In the statement, he added: “To me, he’s sacred territory.
“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.
“Thank you to Amazon MGM Studios for their trust.”
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BOND DETAILS
Previously, it was also confirmed that Bond will still be a British man despite the film rights Hollywood streaming site Amazon.
Half-siblings Barbara Broccoli, 64, and Michael G Wilson, 83, took over the Bond franchise from their father and stepfather Albert ‘Cubby’ Broccoli – who bought the film rights from Bond creator Ian Fleming in 1961.
Since then there have been 25 movies – where Bond defeats villains bent on destruction, all while drinking martinis and seducing women.
Before giving up ownership of the popular film franchise, 007’s stewards Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson insisted the spy would retain his nationality and gender.
Timeline of James Bond actors
Over the years there have been seven actors who have played 007.
The first ever James Bond film was in 1962, and this is who has played the lead role over the years:
- Sean Connery – The late star was the first ever actor to play Bond, and reprised the role for seven movies.
- George Lazenby – The star only played Bond once, but was the youngest actor to ever play the spy.
- Roger Moore – The late movie star spent 12 years making seven films in the famous franchise.
- Timothy Dalton – The smooth actor took over from Roger Moore and appeared in The Living Daylights and Licence to Kill.
- Pierce Brosnan – The handsome star played Bond for four movies from 1995 to 2002.
- Daniel Craig – The British star was the first blonde James Bond and the sixth actor to win the role in 2005.
Ms Broccoli, who took over the Bond brand from company Eon Productions alongside Mr Wilson in 1995, made the arrangement before she agreed to sell the rights to Amazon in a £770million deal.
An insider told the Mail on Sunday: “Amazon is committed to keeping the spirit of Bond alive and that means he has to be British or from the Commonwealth – and he has to be male.”
TOP SPOT?
Henry Cavill, Tom Hardy and Aaron Taylor-Johnson have all been tipped to replace Daniel Craig as the Secret Service agent.
Aaron, 34, fuelled rumours he’d bagged the role after signing a deal with Omega – the brand of watch the 007 spy wears.
Omega has been supplying timepieces to the iconic literary and movie character since the release of 1995 flick, Golden Eye.
The Sun told last year how Aaron had been offered the job – with insiders saying at the time Eon Productions were keen to snap him up.
Despite that, still hovering around the top spot is fellow Brit hunk Theo James, 40, who some fans are convinced will lead the race to victory.
Bookmakers Coral also told how Kirkby-born TV star Stephen Graham, 51, had entered the line-up contenders.
Yet The Underground Railroad screen star Aaron Pierre, 31, is now a new name in the frame.
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