Hypothesis in regards to the subsequent James Bond was rife even earlier than Daniel Craig confirmed as soon as and for all that he was stepping down.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson? Idris Elba? Henry Cavill? James Norton? A feminine 007?
Three-and-a-half years on from No Time To Die, already delayed on account of COVID and different issues, there has not been a scrap of affirmation.
However now – plot twist – comes the announcement that Bond’s long-time producers and custodians Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson are handing inventive management to Amazon MGM Studios.
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Daniel Craig in his first outing as Bond, On line casino Royale, in 2006. Pic: Rex/Shutterstock
It is seemingly that each one the behind the scenes wrangling to get to this deal announcement is why a brand new 007, whoever which may be, is but to be named. And hypothesis now shifts from the following Bond to your entire way forward for Bond.
Broccoli and Wilson are the daughter and stepson of Albert “Cubby” Broccoli, the person liable for the beginning of the franchise’s success, and have at all times been fiercely protecting of the world’s most well-known undercover agent.
Throughout Craig’s tenure there have been simply 5 movies since his first, On line casino Royale, was launched virtually 20 years in the past in 2006. Pierce Brosnan starred in 4 between 1995 and 2002.
Broccoli and Wilson didn’t need to give the world an excessive amount of Bond. Followers have been stored ready, and at all times wanting extra.
Now, with Amazon on the helm, will we see origin tales for Miss Moneypenny or Q? Or what in regards to the baddies? A delicate deep dive into the early years of Jaws or Blofeld or Goldfinger – possibly even all three and extra – to find how they turned to the darkish facet?
Will Jeff Bezos become involved? He definitely did not waste time in posting on X to ask followers for his or her ideas. Maybe we might see a cameo sooner or later?
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Roger Moore as Bond aongside Richard Kiel’s Jaws in The Spy Who Liked Me. Pic: Moviestore/Rex/Shutterstock
Amazon acquired MGM, together with the rights to distribute James Bond movies, in 2022. Again then, the streaming service mentioned it was “honoured… to usher in the next phase”. And in 2023, it launched a Bond actuality present.
“So I think that’s our position. They certainly have told us that that the films will be theatrical films in the future and we’ll see what happens.”
Might that be about to vary?
‘Do not cinematic universe Bond’
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Sean Bean and Pierce Brosnan in GoldenEye in 1995. Pic: Rex/Shutterstock
In December, the Wall Avenue Journal printed an article headed “Where Is James Bond? Trapped in an Ugly Stalemate With Amazon”, that includes interviews with greater than 20 folks acquainted with the “feud”.
“It’s kinda sad to see the last family-owned movie franchise handed over to the suits, and I’m sure Amazon MGM is salivating,” posted filmmaker Joe Russo (not the Russo who has labored on some Marvel movies, we must always level out) on X.
“BUT… DON’T cinematic universe James Bond. It is one of our last, great theatrical events. Don’t dilute that with a plethora of streaming spin-offs.”
One other X consumer wasn’t as well mannered: “RIP James Bond.”
You solely want to have a look at what has occurred to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the previous couple of years to see why there can be considerations.
Whereas there are nonetheless loads of followers, there was apparent disenchantment – mirrored on the field workplace – as increasingly more spin-offs and origin tales have been churned out in recent times.
Beetlejuice star Jenna Ortega is one actress who does not desire a spin-off – or a feminine Bond, a minimum of.
“I love that there’s a lot more female leads nowadays, I think that’s so special,” she mentioned in an interview with MTV final yr. “But we should have our own. I don’t like it when it’s like a spin-off – I don’t want to see like ‘Jamie Bond’. You know? I want to see another badass.”
Responding to a publish shared by the British James Bond Fan Membership, one fan replied: “End of an era! Just have to hope that in future the Bond output is still all about quality rather than quantity.”
Austrian property developer Josef Kleindienst is difficult the trademark possession of the James Bond identify within the UK and the EU, The Guardian revealed earlier in February. That is attainable after 5 years of “non use” below trademark legislation.
“James Bond will not die on our watch,” he reportedly mentioned.
The earlier longest hole between Bond outings is six years and 4 months; the way in which issues are wanting, this subsequent one could possibly be longer.
These are unsure occasions for Bond. Which is sufficient to depart followers greater than a bit of shaken and stirred.
