The James Bond rumor mill is buzzing more than ever following the surprising news that Amazon has taken full creative control of the iconic 007 franchise. Despite the change in oversight, the future of James Bond remains shrouded in mystery, especially regarding who will step into the role of the suave British spy next.
A recent report from The Mail on Sunday has shed some light on the matter, revealing that Amazon has circulated an internal memo stating that James Bond will continue to be a man and remain British or from the Commonwealth. This news effectively rules out potential candidates like Ryan Gosling. This stance is likely to be welcomed by former Bond actor Pierce Brosnan, who portrayed the character from 1995 to 2002 in films like GoldenEye and Die Another Day. Brosnan told The Telegraph that Bond's Britishness is "a given."
Potential James Bonds Who Never Played 007
26 Images
The possibility of casting an actor from the Commonwealth opens up intriguing possibilities, such as Australian actor Chris Hemsworth. Hemsworth, known for his roles in Thor and Extraction, has previously expressed his interest in playing Bond. In a 2019 interview with Balance magazine, he reminisced about his performance as British Formula One driver James Hunt in Rush, saying, "When we were shooting Rush, someone had said that and I thought, 'Cool, if this is my audition tape, then great.' I don’t think you’ll ever meet anyone who doesn’t want to have a crack at James Bond. I’d love to do it." He emphasized, however, that the decision lies with the Bond community, including producer Barbara Broccoli, and must be an organic choice.
Following the Mail on Sunday's report, Hemsworth's comments have resurfaced, and The Today Show Australia boldly declared, "It's a surety. He is in."
The future of the James Bond franchise is a topic of concern, particularly with Amazon's acquisition and the stepping back of long-time producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson. Amid speculation about a potential Bond TV series, Variety reported that a new Bond film remains the "top priority." Amazon is reportedly searching for a new producer, with David Heyman, known for his work on the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts series, mentioned as a possible fit.
Director Christopher Nolan had shown interest in helming a Bond film after Tenet, but Broccoli reportedly turned him down, insisting no director would have "final cut" under her watch. Nolan went on to direct Oppenheimer, which was a major success, grossing nearly $1 billion and winning several Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director for Nolan.
Amazon's control over Bond has not been universally welcomed. When asked about directing a Bond film during a Reddit AMA, the director of Longlegs and The Monkey bluntly stated, "No, because f**k Jeff Bezos."
Fans are eagerly awaiting news on who will be the next James Bond. Among the speculated names are Tom Hardy, Idris Elba, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson, with Henry Cavill emerging as the fan-favorite to take on the role.
AnswerSee ResultsAccording to Variety, Amazon cannot proceed with hiring for the Bond franchise until the closure of its deal with Broccoli and Wilson, expected sometime this year. This follows reports of a tense standoff between the Broccoli family, who have traditionally held creative control over Bond, and Amazon, which acquired the rights to release Bond movies after purchasing Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer for $8.45 billion in 2021. The Wall Street Journal described the situation as leaving Bond "trapped" amid the ongoing negotiations.
Neither Amazon nor Eon Productions have issued a comment on the matter, leaving fans and industry watchers in suspense about the future direction of the James Bond franchise.
