Following the surprising announcement that Amazon has assumed full creative control of the James Bond franchise, with long-time producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson stepping aside, a new report reveals the next steps for 007—and a surprising rejection of a high-profile director.
While speculation swirls about a potential Bond TV series, Variety reports that a new Bond film remains Amazon's top priority. The next step, according to the report, involves finding a new producer. David Heyman, known for his cohesive vision in producing the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films, is reportedly the type of producer Amazon seeks.
Interestingly, the report claims Christopher Nolan expressed interest in directing a Bond film after Tenet. However, Broccoli reportedly rejected his interest, citing her policy of not granting any director "final cut" while she oversaw the franchise. Nolan subsequently directed Oppenheimer, a nearly $1 billion global box office success that garnered numerous accolades, including Best Picture and Best Director Oscars.
The question of the next Bond actor remains a hot topic. While names like Tom Hardy (Venom), Idris Elba (MCU), James McAvoy (Professor X), Michael Fassbender (Magneto), and Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Kraven)—previously rumored as a frontrunner—are frequently mentioned, Henry Cavill (Superman, The Witcher) is a clear fan favorite.
According to Variety, Amazon is unable to make any hiring decisions regarding the Bond franchise until the completion of its acquisition of the Broccoli-Wilson deal, expected sometime this year. This news follows a report claiming the future of the James Bond franchise is "on pause" due to a reportedly tense standoff between the Broccoli family and Amazon.
This behind-the-scenes conflict between Barbara Broccoli, who previously held creative control and final say on casting, and Amazon (which acquired the rights to distribute Bond films after its $8.45 billion purchase of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 2021) has reportedly left the Bond franchise in a state of limbo, as reported by the Wall Street Journal.
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