Denis Villeneuve has quickly become one of the rising star directors, thanks to critically acclaimed dramas such as Prisoners, Enemy, and this fall's Sicario (read our review). His talents have made a big impression on studio executives, as Warner Bros. is entrusting him to helm the upcoming Blade Runner 2, a great challenge Villeneuve is ready to tackle head-on.
Crafting a sequel to one of the most revered sci-fi films ever made is a daunting task, and should Villeneuve pull it off, it stands reason to believe he would be able to handpick his next project. As he begins to shift towards more high-profile projects, he has his sights set on one of the industry's top franchises: James Bond.
Speaking with Coming Soon, Villeneuve was asked about how Sicario is more action-orientated than his previous projects, and the filmmaker talked about his admiration for the Bond series:
It’s strange, because I understand that each genre has its own specific rules, but for me, they are all movies. I’m just attracted to try to do different things, and I was very excited to make a movie that required more action. I was raised with James Bond. I love James Bond movies. I would love to do a James Bond movie one day. Action is very cinematic. I’m not someone that loves dialogue – I am someone that loves movement. Action, if it’s well done, can be very poetic and meaningful.
Director Sam Mendes has indicated that this fall's Spectre will be his last go-around with 007 (though, he said the same about Skyfall), so the series will most likely need a new helmsman for the next installment. Villeneuve may not be the first name that springs to mind, but he would be an inspired choice. Throughout his young career, he has illustrated he's a master of tension, and with Sicario he's proven he has a steady hand when it comes to action. Those are qualities anyone would look for in a potential James Bond filmmaker.
Villeneuve could also be the perfect fit for this iteration of the famous spy, since he has plenty of experience in serious-minded, gritty films. There's been some question over whether or not Spectre will be the last outing for Daniel Craig, but he reportedly is under contract for at least one more movie. Should he stick around for the followup, it's easy to see how Villeneuve's directorial style would gel with the tone and visual aesthetic EON Productions has strived for during Craig's tenure. (Case in point: Villeneuve's go-to cinematographer, Roger Deakins, was even the director of photography on Skyfall.)
While on-paper this reads as a tantalizing prospect, it may not be the most realistic right now. Though Blade Runner 2 is currently without a release date, Villeneuve is in the process of actively developing the film, meaning he could be preoccupied by the time Bond 25 is gearing up for principal photography. That said, it would be nice if he could live out his dream some day down the line and make a film with whoever takes over for Craig. Considering his passion for the property is so strong, we doubt many fans would take issue with Villeneuve behind the camera.
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Spectre will be in U.S. theaters November 6th, 2015. Villeneuve's Sicario expands nationwide on October 2nd, 2015.
Source: Coming Soon