Denis Villeneuve Chose to Direct New James Bond Movie After ‘Dune 3’ Because ‘I Need a Powerful Rocket to Pull Me Away From Arrakis’

Denis Villeneuve recently told Empire that he returned to “Dune” for a third and final chapter so he can be “severe with the material,” and that his upcoming James Bond movie will be the “very powerful rocket” he needs to “pull me away from Arrakis.”

“I said, ‘Maybe it’s a good idea to go back to this project, not out of nostalgia, not because I miss it, but the opposite — I’m tired of it.’ I want to make sure that I will be severe with the material. That I will not be complacent,” he explained. “I thought, ‘When it’s done, I need a very powerful rocket to pull me away from Arrakis.’ When I was asked to do the next Bond, I said: ‘OK, this is what I need.’”

Villeneuve, director of “Prisoners,” “Sicario” and “Arrival,” has not helmed a film outside the “Dune” franchise since “Part One” was released in 2021. “Dune: Part Two” hit theaters in 2024, and “Dune: Part Three” will debut on Dec. 18, 2026.

In June 2025, it was revealed that Villeneuve, a self-described “die-hard Bond fan,” will direct the next 007 movie. There’s been much speculation about who will take up the mantle after Daniel Craig’s 15-year run. Gary Oldman recently claimed that the next James Bond has already been picked, but no official casting announcement has been made.

Based on Frank Herbert’s “Dune Messiah,” “Dune: Part Three” chronicles Paul Atreides’ fall from prophetic liberator to tyrannical emperor. Timothée Chalamet stars as Paul alongside Zendaya, Jason Momoa, Florence Pugh, Robert Pattinson, Anya Taylor-Joy, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin and Javier Bardem.

In her own sit-down with Empire, Zendaya discussed the arc of her character, Chani, in “Dune: Part 3.” She revealed that in the new film, Chani feels “a deep pain” and “a deep betrayal” as Paul becomes unrecognizable from the man she fell in love with.

“In the previous film, she opened herself up to the idea of letting someone in, allowing a space for love or gentleness,” she said. “Well, we see how that goes. That part of her life is not as present anymore.”