'Bond 25' Release Date, News: Daniel Craig Wants Denis Villeneuve as Director
James Bond star Daniel Craig has a specific director in mind for "Bond 25," the upcoming anniversary movie of the franchise. He wants Denis Villeneuve to helm the milestone film.
Villeneuve, whose film credits include the 2016 film "Arrival" with Amy Adams and the upcoming "Blade Runner 2049" with Harrison Ford and Ryan Gosling, reportedly already met with Craig and James Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson.
The French Canadian director has a reputation for promoting a great working relationship with his actors and crew on the set, which is why Craig is keen on having him for "Bond 25."
Get Our Latest News for FREE
There's been a long list of directors for the planned 25th Bond movie offering. Aside from Villeneuve, Yann Demange ("71"), Christopher Nolan ("Dunkirk") and Edgar Wright ("Baby Driver") are also on the producers' shortlist.
Broccoli also said that she's not discounting female directors for consideration, which would be a first for the franchise. She told Screen Daily that women have been working behind the scenes for Bond films for years and there's a strong support system for female workers in their production outfit, EON.
In 2016, Sam Mendes, the director of "Skyfall" and "Spectre," announced that he won't do a third Bond movie. While he enjoyed working with EON for five years, Mendes told The Guardian that a new director should take over and give the franchise a fresh eye.
Meanwhile, "Bond 25" remains a working title and unconfirmed reports say that the 25th film will actually be called "Shatterhand."
The new movie will revolve around a married and retired James Bond who goes back to work as a secret agent to avenge his wife's death. "Shatterhand" will have a blind villain and majority of the filming will take place in Croatia in early 2018.
There are also speculations that Beyonce might record the movie's theme music.
EON plans the 25th Bond movie for a November 2019 theater release.
