Hollywood heavyweight picked as next James Bond film director

The director of the next James Bond film has been announced.

Denis Villeneuve - a four-time Academy Award nominee who earned critical acclaim for the Dune Franchise and Blade Runner 2049 - said the role is a "massive responsibility". The Canadian filmmaker described himself as a "diehard" fan since childhood, adding that it is a "huge honour" to come on board.

"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," Villeneuve said.

Reassuring fans, the director continued: "To me, he's sacred territory. I intend to honour the tradition and open the path for many new missions to come." His appointment comes as the British spy franchise experiences a major overhaul, with Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson handing over creative control to Amazon MGM Studios.

The Broccoli family have long been the force behind the Bond films, and now co-own the intellectual property. Two recently appointed producers - Spider-Man's Amy Pascal and Harry Potter's David Heyman - said securing a director and developing a screenplay were top priorities before deciding who would succeed Daniel Craig in the role.

Read more entertainment news:After Amazon takeover, what happens to James Bond?Richard E Grant goes on 'emotional' Gavin And Stacey tour'A gold rush': What's driving the boom in immersive events? The head of Amazon MGM Studios, Mike Hopkins, described Villeneuve as a "cinematic master whose filmography speaks for itself". He added: "Denis has delivered compelling worlds, dynamic visuals, complex characters, and - most importantly - the immersive storytelling that global audiences yearn to experience in theatres.

"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.".