The Broccoli family might have had a few missteps with James Bond in his over 60-year history on the screen, but a few things are clear. They loved and respected the franchise they created, and protected 007’s cinematic legacy ferociously. So it was not really surprising when MGM was acquired by Amazon and therefore got 50% of the rights to Bond movies, that tension exploded.
Amazon’s data-driven, algorithm-obsessed “current year” executives vs. old school filmmakers’ instincts. Then, surprisingly, Amazon looked like they were getting things right. They put David Heyman and Amy Pascal in charge, a heavyweight producing duo with just the right experience of mega-franchises featuring heroes with deep history, literary basis, and lore.
Those producers picked Denis Villeneuve to direct, a lifelong Band fan who yearned to respect the character. Then they hired Peaky Blinders writer/creator Steven Knight, another fan.
It all seemed like the right moves, and the right people.
So why is there still no news? Denis Villeneuve is still at work on post-production for Dune: Part Three, but the new movie was expected by 2028, so acceleration of Bond should be happening right now. Production would have to start early next year. Callum Turner, Louis Partridge, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jacob Elordi, and Harris Dickinson all get linked, but no casting news or even leaked news of screen tests has been forthcoming.
A new piece in The Telegraph has gone into where things sit with the next evolution of Bond, and it contains the worrying phrase that at Amazon:
“…no one knows what’s going on…”
The script from Knight is also said to be:
“…nowhere near ready…”
Dune Part Three remains a big blocker, as does Knights’ commitment to House of Guinness and the Peaky Blinders sequel. It means the focus from key people is simplynot there. Meanwhile, a source of theirs claims even the execs at Amazon/MGM are:
“…fed up with even thinking about 007’s future…”
The article also quotes a film studies professor who says he is:
“…getting the impression that they don’t know what to do with it…”
Which is, after all, exactly where the Broccoli’s were about a year ago. I would just like to point out to Amazon that both Wrenage and I are available to consult, and we only charge a very reasonable $2,000 per day plus expenses (each). We can be reached via the website.
