Following the surprising announcement of Amazon's acquisition of full creative control over the James Bond franchise, with the departure of long-time producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, a recent report details the franchise's next steps – and a surprising rejection of a prominent director.
While speculation abounds regarding a potential Bond TV series, Variety reports that a new Bond film remains the top priority for Amazon. Their initial focus will reportedly be on securing a new producer. David Heyman, known for his consistent vision in producing the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films, is allegedly the type of producer Amazon seeks.
The report also reveals that Christopher Nolan expressed interest in directing a Bond film following Tenet, but Broccoli, maintaining her then-unyielding creative control, refused, stating that no director would have final cut authority under her leadership. Nolan subsequently directed Oppenheimer, a box office behemoth that grossed nearly $1 billion globally and garnered significant critical acclaim, including Oscars for Best Picture and Best Director.
AnswerSee ResultsFan anticipation for the next Bond is palpable. While actors such as Tom Hardy (Venom), Idris Elba (MCU), James McAvoy (Professor X), Michael Fassbender (Magneto), and Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Kraven) – previously rumored as a frontrunner – are all being considered, Henry Cavill (Superman, The Witcher) appears to be the overwhelming fan favorite.
According to Variety, Amazon's ability to make any Bond-related hires is contingent upon the finalization of its acquisition of Broccoli-Wilson's interests, expected sometime this year. This follows reports of a tense impasse between the Broccoli family and Amazon, described as an “ugly” stalemate that has placed the future of the franchise “on pause.”
The conflict stemmed from Barbara Broccoli's previous control over the franchise's creative direction, including the casting of the iconic British spy. This power dynamic clashed with Amazon's acquisition of MGM (and thus the Bond film rights) for $8.45 billion in 2021. The Wall Street Journal reported this power struggle left the Bond franchise in a precarious position.
Amazon and Eon Productions have yet to release an official statement.
