Denis Villeneuve brought James Bond casting speculation into the spotlight at LACMA’s Art + Film Gala on Saturday night, teasing an announcement before revealing that he was joking. Despite the theatrical setup, the filmmaker did not name the actor who will play the next 007.
According to Variety’s reporting from the gala, Villeneuve declined to discuss reported contenders on the red carpet, then used his acceptance speech to playfully raise the prospect of a reveal. The moment came as he discussed finishing Dune: Part Three and beginning work on his Bond film.
A mock reveal, not a casting announcement
Speaking inside the gala, Villeneuve told the audience that, with Amazon’s blessing, he would reveal the next James Bond. He paused before delivering the punchline: “And I will stop right now because Amy Pascal is about to have a heart attack.”
The joke followed a more guarded response outside. Asked about casting speculation, he told Variety: “I should not comment right now because every word I’m going to say is going to be scrutinized.” He added that he was having a great time.
Variety reported that Villeneuve and producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman were moving closer to selecting the next Bond, with Robert Pattinson, Nicholas Hoult, Callum Turner, Josh O’Connor and Jack Lowden among the reported finalists. Those names remain reported contenders, not a confirmed casting decision. Villeneuve’s remarks at the event did not establish that any one of them had been selected.
Dune: Part Three reaches its final stages
Alongside the Bond interest, Villeneuve discussed completing a decade-long creative undertaking. Variety reported that he was putting the final touches on the 70mm IMAX print of Dune: Part Three while starting work on Bond.
He described the final installment of his Dune trilogy as a deeply personal project and called the years spent working in the desert a privilege. The publication identified December 18 as the film’s theatrical release date.
Nicole Kidman presented the filmmaker’s honor after traveling from Australia. She said his films had helped inspire her commitment to encouraging audiences back into cinemas through her AMC Theatres campaign. Kidman also recalled attending a late-night screening of Dune and said she planned to return for the third film.
Villeneuve makes the case for human collaboration
Villeneuve’s speech also addressed how films are made. Contrasting the use of an AI prompt with taking actors and a crew into the desert, he argued that the experience of creating a film matters in its own right, not simply as a means of obtaining a finished image.
“In this moment in time, it is more important than ever that human beings keep making art together,” he said, according to Variety. He described that shared process as part of the legacy he wants to leave his children.
The director also credited an earlier visit to a James Turrell exhibition at LACMA with helping him find an approach to Arrival. Watching visitors respond silently to colored light, he said, offered a model for directing the film.
Collaborators celebrate the filmmaker
Timothée Chalamet and Anya Taylor-Joy were among those supporting Villeneuve at the gala. Taylor-Joy praised his vision and his ability to make collaborators feel part of something larger than themselves. Asked about Bond, she said she was interested in seeing his approach to the fight sequences.
A tribute reel included Steven Spielberg, James Cameron, Chloé Zhao, Alfonso Cuarón and Alejandro González Iñárritu, along with composer Hans Zimmer and producer Mary Parent. Villeneuve thanked his collaborators and crews for helping bring his ideas to the screen.
Artist Vija Celmins was also honored during the evening. Gala co-chair Eva Chow announced she was stepping down after 15 years and said the event had raised close to $60 million for LACMA. Rosé closed the night with a four-song performance, Variety reported.
For Bond followers, the distinction remains clear: Villeneuve offered a joke about an announcement, not an announcement itself. The next 007 was not identified at the gala.
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