Villeneuve Teases Bond Reveal at LACMA Gala, Praises Kidman and Dune Finale

Denis Villeneuve walked into LACMA's Art+Film Gala on Saturday in a black Gucci tuxedo, and before the night ended he had joked about revealing the next James Bond, accepted a tribute from Nicole Kidman, and confirmed he is finishing the 70mm Imax print of "Dune: Part Three" while starting work on his Bond film.

"It's a very personal film and a project that is very close to my heart," Villeneuve told Variety about wrapping his "Dune" trilogy. "It's also the project that is the completion of 10 years of work in the deep desert. I can just say that it has been a privilege of a lifetime to spend, and I enjoy every minute of it."

What does the gala change for Bond casting?

News broke Friday that Villeneuve and producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman are inching closer to selecting the new 007. Reported finalists include Robert Pattinson, Nicholas Hoult, Callum Turner, Josh O'Connor and Jack Lowden.

On the red carpet, Villeneuve declined to comment. "I should not comment right now because every word I'm going to say is going to be scrutinized," he said. "I would just say that I'm having a great time."

Inside the gala, he pushed further. "With the blessing of my new friends at Amazon, I will reveal to you tonight who will be the next James Bond," Villeneuve began, causing an audible stir. He paused dramatically, then stopped: "And I will stop right now because Amy Pascal is about to have a heart attack."

Nicole Kidman's 15-hour flight

Nicole Kidman flew 15 hours overnight from Australia to present the tribute. "I'm just going to disclose I have sweaty armpits," she joked in Chanel. "Let's keep it real here."

Kidman said her AMC Theaters commercial was inspired by filmmakers like Villeneuve. "They invite you into their imaginations, into their dreams, into their questions, and into their fears," she said. She plans to return to the theater for "Dune: Part Three," which opens Dec. 18. "I will always be one of your audience," she said.

Anya Taylor-Joy, Viola Davis and the guest list

Anya Taylor-Joy, in archival Pierre Cardin, backed Villeneuve's Bond instincts. "I'm excited to see what he's going to do with all the fight sequences," she said, noting she has co-starred with four of the five reported finalists. Viola Davis, who worked with Villeneuve on 2013's "Prisoners," called him "one of the greatest directors I've ever worked with" and recalled asking him to repeat his accented "Perfect" after takes she loved.

Jordan Firstman praised Villeneuve's "restraint," Benito Skinner called him "a true visionary," Jessica Williams picked "Arrival" as her favorite, and Spanish filmmakers Javier Ambrossi and Javier Calvó cited 2010's "Incendies" as a key reference for their series "La Mesías." Timothée Chalamet attended, and a tribute reel featured Steven Spielberg, James Cameron, Chloé Zhao, Alfonso Cuarón, Alejandro González Iñárritu, Hans Zimmer and Mary Parent.

On AI, process and the desert

Villeneuve said "Dune: Part Three" centers on Paul and Chani fighting to give their children a better world. He contrasted AI-generated filmmaking with physical production. "I can create something with a prompt," he said. "Or I can go into the desert with actors, with a crew, and go on a real adventure where I learn about life and become better at my craft. Those are two different things." He added: "The process is how the human experience acquires its meaning."

Celmins honored, Chow steps down

Painter Vija Celmins, the evening's other honoree, told the crowd: "You guys are just crazy party people." She said Los Angeles and its ocean "sort of crept into my work." Co-chair Eva Chow announced she is stepping down after 15 years, noting the gala has raised close to $60 million for LACMA since 2011. Rosé closed the night with a four-song set, including the live debut of "New Trick" and her hit "APT."

With the Bond decision reportedly weeks away and "Dune: Part Three" due Dec. 18, Villeneuve leaves the gala with two franchises on his desk and one of the most scrutinized casting calls in Hollywood still open.