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 back. This development has sparked widespread speculation about the future direction of the iconic series, with Variety shedding light on the next steps and revealing a notable director who was overlooked for the project.
Despite rumors of a potential Bond TV series, Variety confirms that a new Bond film remains the "top priority" for Amazon. The company is reportedly on the hunt for a new producer, with David Heyman, known for his work on the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts series, being the type of visionary Amazon is seeking.
In a surprising twist, it was revealed that acclaimed director Christopher Nolan had shown interest in helming a Bond film following his work on Tenet. However, Broccoli's insistence on retaining final cut control led to Nolan's rejection. Nolan subsequently directed Oppenheimer, which not only grossed nearly $1 billion worldwide but also clinched the Best Picture and Best Director Oscars.
AnswerSee ResultsThe question of who will step into the iconic role of James Bond next is on everyone's mind. Fans are vocal about their preferences, with names like Tom Hardy, Idris Elba, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson being floated around. However, Henry Cavill, known for his roles as Superman and in The Witcher, emerges as the clear fan-favorite.Variety reports that Amazon cannot proceed with hiring for the Bond project until the finalization of its deal with Broccoli and Wilson, expected sometime this year. This follows reports of a tense standoff between the Broccoli family and Amazon, which has left the future of the franchise "on pause." The conflict stems from Amazon's acquisition of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 2021 for $8.45 billion, which included the rights to release Bond films, clashing with Broccoli's long-held creative control over the series.
As of now, neither Amazon nor Eon Productions have issued any official statements regarding these developments.