In a surprising turn of events, Amazon has assumed full creative control over the James Bond franchise, marking a significant shift as long-time producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson step away. This news has sparked intense speculation about the future direction of the iconic series, with a recent report from Variety shedding new light on the upcoming plans and revealing a notable director who was overlooked.
Contrary to rumors that Amazon might pivot to a Bond TV series, Variety has confirmed that a new Bond film remains the primary focus. Amazon's first step will be to appoint a new producer for the franchise, with David Heyman, known for his successful stewardship of the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts series, being the type of visionary they are seeking.
In an intriguing twist, the report also disclosed that acclaimed director Christopher Nolan had shown interest in helming a Bond film following his work on Tenet. However, Barbara Broccoli reportedly rejected Nolan's proposal, insisting that no director would be granted "final cut" under her leadership. Nolan subsequently directed Oppenheimer, which not only grossed nearly $1 billion worldwide but also earned him the Best Director Oscar, along with the film winning Best Picture.
Amidst these developments, fans are eagerly anticipating the announcement of the next actor to take on the role of James Bond. Speculation is rife, with names like Tom Hardy, Idris Elba, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson being floated as potential candidates. However, Henry Cavill, known for his roles as Superman and in The Witcher, emerges as the fan-favorite to don the iconic tuxedo.
Amazon's ability to move forward with hiring for the Bond project hinges on finalizing the deal with Broccoli and Wilson, expected to close sometime this year. The transition has been described as fraught, with reports of an "ugly" stalemate between the Broccoli family and Amazon, leaving the future of Bond in limbo, according to the Wall Street Journal.
This power shift comes after Amazon acquired the rights to distribute Bond films through its purchase of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer for $8.45 billion in 2021. As yet, neither Amazon nor Eon Productions have issued any official statements on these developments.
Who’d You Pick as the Next Bond?
- Henry Cavill
- Tom Hardy
- James McAvoy
- Michael Fassbender
- Aaron Taylor-Johnson
- Idris Elba
- Someone else (tell us who in the comments!)
Fans are particularly keen to know who will play Bond next. While some are calling for the likes of Venom star Tom Hardy, the MCU's Idris Elba, Professor X actor James McAvoy, Magneto actor Michael Fassbender, and Kraven’s Aaron Taylor-Johnson (who was previously rumored to be top of the list) to be given the role, the clear fan-favorite is Superman and The Witcher star Henry Cavill.
According to Variety, Amazon is unable to hire anyone on Bond until the closure of its Broccoli-Wilson deal, which is expected at some point this year. The news followed an explosive report that alleged the future of the James Bond franchise was “on pause” amid what was described as an “ugly” stalemate between the Broccoli family and Amazon.
The behind-the-scenes battle between Barbara Broccoli, who had retained creative control over Bond and decided who played the iconic British spy, and Amazon, which acquired the right to release Bond movies after it bought Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in a deal worth $8.45 billion back in 2021, had left Bond “trapped,” the Wall Street Journal reported.
Amazon and Eon have yet to issue a comment.
