Denis Villeneuve is racking up a loyal fan base very quickly thanks to the success of past dramas such as "Prisoners" and "Enemy" and the anticipation for this fall's "Sicario." His hits have already caught the attention of studio executives, as Warner Bros. is handing him the keys to the upcoming "Blade Runner" sequel.
"Blade Runner" is widely considered one of the greatest sci-fi films of all time, so if Villeneuve can pull of a sequel he will have proved to mainstream Hollywood that he's capable of handling blockbuster franchises. Perhaps that is why he hopes to get in on another marquee film series: James Bond.
Talking with Coming Soon, Villeneuve was asked if "Sicario" featured more action than his previous movies which spurred his comments regarding the Bond series:
"It's strange, because I understand that each genre has its own specific rules, but for me, they are all movies," he said. "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 ("Skyfall") has hinted that the upcoming "Spectre" will be his last dip into the 007 pool (the same may apply to Daniel Craig as well) which means the series will be looking for a new filmmaker. Villeneuve may not be the first name that comes to mind, but he would be a creative and potentially amazing choice. Though a bit callow (in a good way, his projects are fresh), Villeneuve has proven to be an effective storyteller who fuels his films with tension and suspense. Those skills would apply well to a potential James Bond film.
Since "Blade Runner 2" is still without a release date, the timing of these projects may not line up. But it's at least an interesting possibility to consider.
"Spectre" will hit theaters on Nov. 16.
