James Bond Shake-Up: Amazon Takes Creative Control of Franchise From Broccoli Family In New Deal

So, that has been the hold-up for not picking the next James Bond, Amazon finally has "CREATIVE CONTROL" of the James Bond movies, including the casting. Which means They( Amazon) gets to pick the next Bond& the Broccoli's are co-owners and get to watch Amazon fuck up the choice!! Bezos must have given the Broccoli family a blank check to give up control of the Bond series.

Now that Amazon has complete control, Amazon will search its stable of stars to find just the right James Bond.

What do all of these Prime movies have in common? "Red, White & Royal Blue" was a hit on Prime. "The Idea of You" was a hit on Prime. And Amazon Studio's "Masters of the Universe (He-Man)" is one of the most anticipated movies of 2026.

Who will Amazon turn to for Bond? Who?

To R2....NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! She is "BEYOND GAYE"

Jeff Bezos will probably cast himself as Bond.

Jeff, for your consideration.

They will create a masterpiece as compelling and flawless as The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.

Don’t expect Bond to be as woke as The Rings with its Black hobbits and female protagonists. Woke is over.

Awesome

Can’t wait for our new Black Lady Girlboss Bond

“Shaken not sturrrred, beeyitch!!!”

You know, I might've had more positive thoughts a year ago before Bezos went full asshole. But hey, I know you cunts definitely want a hot white stud in the role – and certainly NOT a person of color, let alone anyone trans – and it looks like you'll get your wish! (Just be sure to wash your tongues after all the Trump bootlicking.)

Oh, dear. R8 went full retard.

“Make James Bond black, trans and socialist or Trump wins! WAH!”

This will wreck the franchise. It will be like Disney and Star Wars -- just bleed it dry by making as many crappy shows as possible for Prime and announcing multiple films that never get made to keep the stock healthy.

RIP James Bond.

[quote]This will wreck the franchise. It will be like Disney and Star Wars -- just bleed it dry by making as many crappy shows as possible for Prime and announcing multiple films that never get made to keep the stock healthy.

While I agree that they're going to screw it up, just like Disney did with Star Wars, let's not forget that Bond was on life support before Craig.

Interesting that some think this means we’ll get a Black woman as Bond while others think it means they will reincarnate Sean Connery. Bezos is like a Rorschach test.

I’m looking forward to James Bond’s School Days and The Adventures of Miss Moneypenny.

James Bond vs Predator

Enola Bond

Perhaps a softcore porn series “Nights with James”. For the ladies

What was the name of the little girl in No Time To Die? Perhaps she can grow up to be a Secret Agent like her Daddy. For the kids.

Laverne Cox IS James Bond

[quote] They( Amazon) gets to pick the next Bond& the Broccoli's are

Oh, dear GOD🤯

The best thing they could do for the series is set it in the 1950s where Bond could be Bond.

[quote]While I agree that they're going to screw it up, just like Disney did with Star Wars, let's not forget that Bond was on life support before Craig.

Um, no, it most certainly was not. "Die Another Day" was the highest-grossing movie in the entire franchise, admittedly helped by co-star Halle Berry having won the Oscar for "Monster's Ball" before it came out. Both Brosnan and everyone else was stunned that Barbara Broccoli opted to "follow the origin story trend" with the Craig movies, unambiguously stolen from "Batman Begins." Everyone expected he'd have at least 2-3 more outings as Bond.

Also, it seems clear in hindsight that Bond was at its absolute lowest in the decade before Brosnan took over. The two Timothy Dalton outings were a disaster, and the later Roger Moore movies make "The World Is Not Enough" look like a Merchant/Ivory production in contrast.

Then next Bond "girl": Lauren Sanchez. As "Pechos 'Peaches' Bel Grande."

Mean, Moody, Magnificent!

Jeff Bezos is asking who the next James Bond should be, and he's getting a lot of familiar answers. Lots and lots of "Please, Henry Cavill" responses. Cavill has or had some kind for development deal with Amazon, so they should know how to get in contact with him if needed.

My name is Bond... Bambi Bond.

There’s nearly universal agreement from industry commeteriat (sp) that this is the worst thing to happen to the franchise. Amazon will destroy it to try to sell Prime subscriptions.

Of course they will.

If they owned theme parks, there’d be a ride. ,

All these big companies care about is revenue.

Jeff could save the franchise if he wanted to. Christopher Nolan supposedly has always dreamed of directing a Bond film, so just let Nolan choose the next Bond now that Barbara B. is out of the picture. Nolan would have a huge built-in audience.

[quote]I’ve flung myself into a grease fire

So at least SOME good has come from this.

Cavill may have the looks, but he can’t act and he’’s already over 40. I want someone young enough to own the role a long time. Of course most actors don’t want to be stuck like that.

Nolan would just cast Matt Damon. 🤮

More like Fatt Damon. Amirite?

I wonder what the deal is about in details. Did they just 'lend' creative control without losing it permanently? Could Wilson's and Broccoli's heirs get creative control back? Or are they from now on just enjoying royalties and nothing else? I also wonder what triggered them to hand over control now. Advanced age is probably a factor. But maybe there is also a technicality in the nature of their previous ownership that made exercising the creative rights extremely difficult. "Creative control" is probably not worth much if the co-owner won't finance any of your creative choices.

No one wants a 'Q' spinoff, let alone a 'Moneypenny' spinoff. British icon about to be trashed.

[quote] Jeff could save the franchise if he wanted to.

"Jeff"?

[italic]Hon.[/italic]

I loved James Bond Jr as a kid.

While I enjoyed Daniel Craig as Bond and think his CASINO ROYALE belongs in pantheon among the best Bond films, honestly, who cares at this point? The Bond movies were fresh, innovative and sexy in every way for the Greatest Generation and the Baby Boomers. The basic blueprint of the Bond films was even older. After the success of FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE and DR. NO, Alfred Hitchcock bitched that he’d basically invented the Bond film with THE 39 STEPS, FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT, SABOTEUR and NORTH BY NORTHWEST (he felt his crop-dusting scene was literally copied).

The Jason Bourne and MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE movies worked the same territory with endless fight scenes and adventurous vehicle races and escapes. Everyone’s sick of these minute variations on a theme — we’ve seen dozens of them, good, bad and excellent. And the last M:I movie, which was very good for what it was, was a big disappointment at the box office.

So it doesn’t much matter what Bezos does with Bond — it will be a three-week cash grab regardless. Then it will be forgotten in the summer churn of other action flicks..

With CGI and AI, can we finally get Lucy as James Bond? She was considered before, but you know what Gary did.

God I hope they don’t fuck it up by having a black lesbian as James Bond. To minority groups, I respectfully wish that you would writing your own stories with your own characters!

Ian Fleming created James Bond as a white male British agent. It makes no sense to recast as a woman or man of a different color. Feel free to create a new character or series for that. But Bond has and will also be a white man. Don't like it? Don't watch it. No way will Bezos stray from Fleming's concept.

Pam Grier.

[quote] I also wonder what triggered them to hand over control now.

When two partners are at an impasse, the only solution is for one to buy the other out. Who has the money? No mystery.

Growing up in the 70's being a big movie fan, Cubby Broccoli was legend for his producing hit Bond movies. All my life I thought he was a Brit with his dictating Bond must be British etc and I just found out a few years ago he was born and raised on Long Island, not far from where I grew up. Small world.

Ellen Burstyn would be a bold choice. Too bad she’s not a poc.

Things aren’t looking good for the Citadel franchise then. There’s no way Amazon will continue pushing that ‘spy universe’ now that they have Bond.

Apostrophe.

[quote]I also wonder what triggered them to hand over control now.

Shitloads of money. Over a billion dollars, according to Deadline.

MGM, on its own, never had the kind of money that would have convinced the Broccolis to sell.

Amazon, and Bezos, do.

What R46 posted...A Shitload of $$$$$ to give up "creative control". They better have Gross and not net points!!

Creative accounting methods that the studios use the last 20 years.

No one is asking for another lame James Bond film. It’s completely outdated.

A bunch of Guidos owned Bond.

How many films about straight white men saving the world do we need?

Bond still has plenty of fans, r48.. Just because you don’t like it doesn’t mean nobody does.

Why Did Bond Go Straight Down the Shitter?

Prediction

Oliver Jackson-Cohen.

[quote] No one is asking for another lame James Bond film.

I guess technically you're right. Nobody ever asks for a lame film. But 007 made $770M during the height of Covid. Apparently there are still one or two viewers left.

[quote] Bond still has plenty of fans

Oh, please. They’ve been circling the drain for years. It’s a stale franchise which is why they’re selling it off. Selling to Amazon is the final nail in the coffin.

“Bond. James Bond. He/him.”

Amazon is evil.

From my point of view Broccoli is evil!

Cavill is your man for Amazon “content”. He’s a whore for content.

Dreamy Jonathan Bailey should be Bond.

If Bezos wants to complete the full MAGA ring kiss then he should cast Barron.

I love Bond and all thing Bond. Can't wait to see how the franchise evolves into this next phase. Superspy. Super hero. Super sexy. Suck it R56.

[quote]Cavill may have the looks, but he can’t act and he’’s already over 40. I want someone young enough to own the role a long time. Of course most actors don’t want to be stuck like that.

Cavill's far bigger problem is that he's made himself persona non grata in Hollywood by being a raging asshole. (Not an uncommon side effect of 'roid abuse coupled with the stress of life in the closet.) He was full-on shitcanned from "The Witcher" because Netflix was so sick of his shit: he was apparently being weird AF and locking himself in his trailer for hours ... playing video games. Seriously. I really can't see Amazon doing so, either, particularly considering he already came close to ruining one franchise (Superman).

[quote]I wonder what the deal is about in details. Did they just 'lend' creative control without losing it permanently? Could Wilson's and Broccoli's heirs get creative control back?

No: this was a permanent severance, which is why it's such a big fucking deal. For the first time in 65 years, Bond's destiny is entirely in American hands.

[quote]While I enjoyed Daniel Craig as Bond and think his CASINO ROYALE belongs in pantheon among the best Bond films, honestly, who cares at this point?

You might take a gander at the most popular genres among all streaming shows. Spy-related anything – and nearly all of it is a Bond knockoff in some capacity – is often ratings gold. While I completely agree regarding "Casino Royale," my point is that quite a few people "care at this point" about spy dramas in general, but in particular about the most legendary cinematic spy of all time.

Further, "Casino Royale" came nearly 45 years after "Dr. No," and yet handily proved to be among the best of the franchise – this despite nearly everyone already knowing Bond's origin story, and Vesper, extremely well. (And "Skyfall" is now my all-time Bond favorite.) While there is of course a strong likelihood Amazon will ruin Bond, there's at least some hope they'll hire creators with truly *novel* ideas about spycraft in cinema. (Even Bond movies have "borrowed" a few hackneyed storylines from its own competitors: the "NOC List" from "M:I-1" reappeared as Silva's threat in "Skyfall.")

Finally, Bezos is the only one who can get away with what will likely be a controversial move while giving zero fucks what happens: hiring Aaron Taylor-Johnson or some other insanely ripped white dude. And at this point I think that needs to be their starting point: while I actually *would* watch a spinoff focused on a queer Q – even if not Ben Whishaw – the franchise needs to be firmly planted before branching out.

[quote]Things aren’t looking good for the Citadel franchise then. There’s no way Amazon will continue pushing that ‘spy universe’ now that they have Bond.

I'll just hazard a guess you haven't considered the possibility that each of the three "seasons" of "Citadel" to date totals barely three hours.

Amazon still needs WAY more original material. They're catching up with Netflix, but not quickly enough. Even their easier-to-shoot shows like "Reacher" are only six episodes airing every 9-10 months. Netflix has been far exceeding them on spy shows & movies, well beyond the point of overkill. (See, e.g., "Back in Action," the latest installment in the "married suburban couple turns out to be secret megaspies!" genre.)

[quote] For the first time in 65 years, Bond's destiny is entirely in American hands.

The Broccolis are Americans. I don’t think the nationality is the key issue here.

[quote] this despite nearly everyone already knowing Bond's origin story, and Vesper, extremely well

Really? Where did this nearly universal knowledge come from? You think nearly everyone read the Casino Royale novel ?

[quote]Cavill's far bigger problem is that he's made himself persona non grata in Hollywood by being a raging asshole. (Not an uncommon side effect of 'roid abuse coupled with the stress of life in the closet.) He was full-on shitcanned from "The Witcher" because Netflix was so sick of his shit: he was apparently being weird AF and locking himself in his trailer for hours ... playing video games. Seriously.

He’s autistic.

It’s extremely obvious.

How often have we actually heard someone saying that the Bond movies are over? I want to say it started in 1965 with Thunderball and never really disappeared. And yet, here we are again eagerly anticipating the next Bond.

They’re dinosaurs!

[quote]Really? Where did this nearly universal knowledge come from?

Um, the novel? Did you somehow not read it? Bless.

Not sure where you grew up, but every kid I knew was fully aware of Bond's history, including the reasons why they initially lost the rights to CASINO ROYALE. (In the US btw, not the UK, though I assume it's similar there.)

Vesper Lynd is also a rather memorable character name, and far less tacky than Pussy Galore.

[quote] And yet, here we are again eagerly anticipating the next Bond.

We are?!

Oh god. Here we go. Everyone is going to be a black trans man lesbian.

[quote] Um, the novel? Did you somehow not read it? Bless.

I did, but that’s not the point. You said “nearly everyone” knew Vesper’s story. That is patently ridiculous.

I think it’s a fairly safe bet that most participants in this thread are eagerly anticipating the next chapter. I really can’t imagine participating in a thread to express boredom and indifference to the topic. I know some people are pretending to do so, but it makes no sense. If you are here, you care.

In a way I'm glad it's over. I grew up with 007, the only franchise I followed religiously for 60 years. I was such a fan that I hated the idea I'd miss the new Bond movies when I die. But the last Bond film was a total let down. I mean, Bond a dad who sacrifices himself to save his wife and child? C'mon! I wanted the ice cold killer who an unstoppable dick but the times we're living in as well as the producers did away with that conceit. So it's over. Bond is dead. I'll be watching whatever Amazon produces out of curiosity but the brand is dead and so is my interest in it.

I can understand why you don’t like the plot of NTTD. I agree. But after 70 years, one bad film does not mean “it’s over” any more than the Robert Downey films meant that Sherlock Holmes is over.

On to the reboot!

[quote] Oh god. Here we go. Everyone is going to be a black trans man lesbian.

What? Amazon is owned by Bezos. Everyone will be a MAGAT cunt more like.

The next James Bond will have to rescue the King. Not King Charles , but King Donald, on a yacht in the middle of the Gulf of America. Just shoot me now.

^ That's probably not happening. But did you notice that Bond never went after China? The Chinese market is a firm item in the overall calculation. No blockbuster will criticize China even remotely because it would lose Chinese ticket sales. Even worse: China blocks a neutered blockbuster even if the studio has a low budget movie somewhere around the world that criticizes China. All major studios that operate in China need to make sure that their entire slate of movies are free of anti-Chinese sentiments. Freedom of art my ass. Kissing Trumps big behind is just another chapter in Studio Policies 101.

Now, whoever as Bond, I don't care, but the future casting and storylines of Bond's nemesis/villains intrigues me.

I would not be surprised if Amazon, say, offered Timothy Chalamet, or someone at his caliber of stardom, of whatever gender, some outrageous amount of dough to play a Bond nemesis.

I'm not advocating Chalamet, just using him as an example.

Nobody wants to see James Bond v. Teen-aged old skinny boy.

R81, I'm not sure that's what's happening right away. If they continue to cast underrated but affordable B-list actors for Bond, they may not want to pit the unknown actor against a popular star. It may be too difficult to build stardom for the new-hire Bond. Once the new actor is established firmly on the A-list, they may try a big star villain. Of course they could cast a big star for Bond right away this time. Then a villain star should work. But all that sounds costly.

Big movie stars tend to be attractive people. Attractive people don’t make good Bond villains. They’ve already cast some pretty big actors as Bond villains: Javier Bardem, Christopher Walken, Rami Malik, Louis Jordan, Jonathan Pryce. I’d say only Bardem actually pulled it off. It’s not a role that calls for star power.

They’ve also had Oscar-winning actors in supporting hero roles (Judi Dench, Ralph Fiennes). Do they really add much? I’d say no.

I forgot Christopher Lee. I didn’t care for The Man with the Golden Gun, but some people like his performance.

I think people are failing to realize how this will affect casting

Amazon may struggle to cast if they (as they obviously intend to do) demand their Bond actor appear in the various television based spinoffs

Given Amazon’s struggle with theatrical, Bond may transition straight to a television show

[quote]Bond may transition

Pics please.

[quote]But did you notice that Bond never went after China? The Chinese market is a firm item in the overall calculation. No blockbuster will criticize China even remotely because it would lose Chinese ticket sales.

Bond never "went after" any specific government, not just China. The villains were always Dr. Evil types. He did, however, team up with Michelle Yeoh – explicitly defined as a Chinese spy – in "Tomorrow Never Dies," plus "Skyfall" had separate sequences set in Shanghai & Macau, albeit not filmed there. Even back in the '70s they went after the Soviets indirectly with "From Russia With Love." (Also only indirectly with North Korea in "Die Another Day.")

Also, China simply isn't a big market for Bond movies: they're "too Western." NNTD only grossed $65M there, or about 8% of the gross.

^ No Time To Die was heavily impacted by COVID. In those particular weeks when the movie opened in China, they experienced the most widespread outbreak for China since the beginning of the pandemic. Lots of movie theaters closed in China in those weeks. And you know the Chinese lock down was a lot stricter than in other countries.

[quote] The villains were always Dr. Evil types.

But Bond always had Russia as the enemy in the background. You are right, usually the actual villains were individuals with no political motives, but Russia was always portrayed as the villainous country that was suspected first when shit happened. They don't do that with China, not even with Russia anymore. Even 8% is big cash, they don't want to risk.

Also: If MGM doesn't adhere to Chinese movie policies they'd be prohibited to screen any of their movies there, not just Bond.

Fleabag IS James Bond!

Good. It needed to change hands.

Judi Dench was so great as M.

Ralph Fiennes, well when he was introduced, I thought for sure he was a mole and would turn out to be the big bad guy in the end. He’s underwhelming in this role.

The franchise needs better story lines. The amount of coincidences in some of the recent movies (Blofeld being Bond's long lost brother) made them feel like they were scripted by John Waters.

[quote]No Time To Die was heavily impacted by COVID. In those particular weeks when the movie opened in China, they experienced the most widespread outbreak for China since the beginning of the pandemic.

Fair, but previous Bond entries also didn't perform well there.

[quote]But Bond always had Russia as the enemy in the background.

Well, yes. It was the Cold War, so obviously the Soviets were the West's main enemy at the time. Still, the key term here is "in the background," as opposed to being a primary aggressor.

[quote]Also: If MGM doesn't adhere to Chinese movie policies they'd be prohibited to screen any of their movies there, not just Bond.

Since Amazon owns it, and MGM is basically a microscopic part of its business – albeit obviously one of the highest-profile aspects of it – I doubt this is particularly high up on their priority list. I'm not sure they do much of anything in China, actually. But yes, now that Bezos is becoming Dr. Evil, I wouldn't be surprised in the least if they start kissing CCP ass.

Amazon isn't going to do anything to Bond that might cut into profits or upset King Elon, so put your fears of nonwhite, nonmale casting to sleep. He will remain a pale pink he.

[quote] put your fears of nonwhite, nonmale casting to sleep. He will remain a pale pink he.

How about yellow-skinned hes?

I am so fucking sick of the way Amazon dominates our lives. They have e-commerce. Fine. But they also have Amazon Web Services which is huge and their main money maker. Do research. Find out more about it. It is a rival of Microsoft and Google. Evil bastards too. Bezos has the Washington Post and they have Prime for entertainment, movies mini series and TV streaming. I have cancelled Prime. I have cancelled the Post. I urge you to spread the word, and boycott Amazon in every possible way you can. Looks like Elon is feeling the pinch with Tesla because a lot of people who are not movie stars are getting rid of their Teslas and not buying new ones. Fuck all these oligarch fuckers. I think wounding the Post is t he easiest softest target for Bezos. It would also embarrass him to lose it.

The British podcast The Rest is Entertainment has done two recent episodes about the Bond issue, one before and one after control was ceded to Bezos. The podcasters are producers and one claims to have inside knowledge about what went down, which she shares.

R98, after you canceled Prime where do you shop now? I find it extremely difficult to replace Amazon with other retailers. I don't mind sacrificing the convenience of 1-day delivery. But the more I research the more I find out that other retailers are just as troubling, just not as capable as AMZ.

Ernest Stavros Bezos would make a great Bond Villain.

R100, I don't share that observation. When Amazon first began e commerce, with books, back in the mid-90's they were among the first. They expanded to "everything else" by 1999. But today, most retail businesses have e commerce. It is not unique. And I have also found t hat a lot of Amazon products are cheap junk, not brand names. If you're looking for books, buy second hand as I do, or buy new from Barnes and Noble, The Strand or dozens of other smaller retailers. I was looking for a jacket. I found what I wanted on Macy's website. I find small appliances at Best Buy and Brand Smart and Target. Amazon is a habit and we believe it is the most convenient, efficient way to shop. But it isn't. It was once upon a time but that was 25 years ago. Now e commerce is very common and99% of retailers use it. Fuck Jeff Bezos. Once I broke the habit, I survived just fine.

Bond never "went after" any specific government, not just China. The villains were always Dr. Evil types

The Russian government was behind the plot in the novel From Russia with Love. Even in 1963, the filmmakers substituted SPECTRE as the villains. Though Tatiana believed she was working for Mother Russia because she didn’t know Col. Klebb had left the KGB.

Also, in the novel, Dr. No is working for the Russian government, but in the film he works for SPECTRE.

[quote]But they also have Amazon Web Services which is huge and their main money maker. Do research. Find out more about it.

Uh, AWS has been around since 2002, so a better question is how YOU somehow weren't aware of it. Yes, they're directly competing with Google & Microsoft in the cloud space, but that's also in no way new. (Including its massive share of Amazon's gross revenue.)

It’s interesting that even during the Cold War when Bond films had no hope of distribution behind the Iron Curtain, the producers shied away from direct confrontation between Bond and foreign governments. Of course, in the real world most of a spy agency’s work is directed against foreign governments, not Dr. Evil types.

R105, 98 didn't say that this is brand new information. Where did you read this from him that he just found out?

R105 what makes you think I just found out about AWS? I never said that. And FYI, I have been well aware of it for many years. Even knew people who worked there. 'Kay? But I also know that most people associate Amazon with e commerce and don't realize that their tech companies are their main engine driving profits. So FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO WEREN'T AWARE...blah., blah, blah. Thanks R107.

I think Jeff Bezos is going to stab Elon in the back. Jeff and Donnie had dinner together at Mar A Lago a couple of days ago. They're getting cozy. And Jeff wants action with rocket ships and satellites. Plus he's a real Amurican.

[QUOTE] But hey, I know you cunts definitely want a hot white stud in the role – and certainly NOT a person of color, let alone anyone trans

FUCK OFF, Trans Troll! A trans as Bond would destroy the franchise, you cretin. How can you be so stupid?

[QUOTE] so just let Nolan choose the next Bond

He would pick his favourites Cillian Murphy or Tom Hardy and both are too old.

Good job Netflix didn't get Bond. They'd cast fugly little queen Joe Locke as the villain.

[QUOTE] What triggered them to hand over Bond now?

Their age. Michael G Wilson is 83 and Barbara Broccoli is 64.

A lot of people like movies where someone saves the world, R50. It's a story arc that goes back to ancient civilizations. White, black or brown doesn't matter to me. Except Bond and Superman must be white. Your anti-white man racist tendencies are showing. Be better.

Tom Cruise and his Mission Impossible series made Bond irrelevant.

Why is that? These franchises have both existed side-by-side for almost as long as Bond was on the big screen. There seems be room for both.

The franchise has already been destroyed by giving Amazon control. I suspect the tribute on the Academy Awards was a Vale.

Amazon wants to make a ton of spinoffs, merch, etc. The role of Bond himself will lose its centrality and thus its prestige. During the Daniel Craig era its prestige hiked up many notches: it attracted the British A-list in front of and behind the cameras. They've got better things to do than what Amazon wants (otherwise Adele probably would have sung Skyfall at the Oscars this week). Sure, Bezos could throw a ton of money at them, and that might hold them for one project, but the British A-list want to be viewed by their peers as proper actors and directors, which means stage and indie work and high quality streamer shows. They're not stupid--they'll do the odd project just for money--but then they want to go back to "the work". They'll be associated with a franchise that is increasing in prestige, but not with one that's fraying.

I don't envy the new creative team. Seems like a lose/lose situation. Bond always danced on the fine lines between drama, action and comedy. The share of these three anchors kept changing throughout the years, back and forth. Think campy Jaws on one end and tragic Vesper Lynd on the other end of the Bond spectrum. Like it or not, both are significant contributions to the Bond franchise. No matter what direction the next movie follows, at least a third of Bond fans will probably say that the franchise has lost its way.

Personally, I wouldn't mind if the pendulum swings back to the lighter side again. The Craig Bonds tended to be quite broody. Time to relax a bit for a while.

R115, no, they didn't. Sorry, Tom!

The last Mission Impossible movie was horrible. Cruise is getting too old for this, although his starring ladies keep getting younger.

The next MI is the last one starring Cruise. Yes, the last one was too long and too full of endless chases but the series as a whole overshadowed the last few Bond films dramatically and in terms of story lines. And they have nothing to envy 007 in terms of the talent they attract.

I actually preferred Mission Impossible on TV. It was more of an ensemble show which made heist scenarios so much fun. When Tom Cruise took on the franchise he started the first movie by killing everybody else and made it his movie and his alone. Didn't care for that.

To R115, Miss Cruise sucks scientology penises when he needs a refill.

She is a FAGGOT!!

Did bezos pay the academy to honor the Bond franchise during the AA ceremony?

Lauren Sanchez is going to be a Bond girl - no doubt. I'm trying think of a name.

Sabine Alphatits?

R124 probably. It was like a commercial for him. And he was at the Oscars, at the afterparties and really out here being part of Hollywood's big night. I hate him so much for how he is destroying the Washington Post, and fuck Amazon. I cancelled Prime and The Post. I will not spend a dime to see Amazon's James Bond bullshit.

R122 The TV show was not exactly an ensemble piece. There were always three principal characters, two men and one woman, where the men were enjoyed more screen time than the woman. The First MI revolved around Ethan but as the series progressed it became more about the group. Still, Tom Cruise knows who people pay money to watch and it's not Ving Rhames or Simon Pegg.

Shocked! Shocked I tell ya, that Britain hasn't done "007 James Bond, The Musical" yet.

I’m sure that’s coming, r128. Both animated and live-action versions.

As long as he has a huge jiggling dong and running in thin, light colored pants I am fine with any male selection!

Everything will be fine. Because Amazon said that they will treat the franchise with great respect.

[quote] Bond always danced on the fine lines between drama, action and comedy. The share of these three anchors kept changing throughout the years, back and forth. Think campy Jaws on one end and tragic Vesper Lynd on the other end of the Bond spectrum

Technically true, but the high camp era didn’t last long. I’d say it was a effort to survive the transition from the 1960s to the 1970s starting with a certain degree of self-conscious parody in Diamonds Are Forever (1971) and peaking with Moonraker (1979). There was almost none of this tone in the Daniel Craig era and I’d be disappointed (and a bit surprised) if it ever returns.

[QUOTE] Everything will be fine. Because Amazon said that they will treat the franchise with great respect.

By this they mean they'll cast a white, conventionally handsome English actor to be Bond. Six foot tall, thick dark hair, blue eyes, muscles, in his 30s. No trans.

R128 Judging from the abismal interpretive dance bit about 007 at the Oscars, I don't think Bond musicals are a good idea.

Osgood Perkins: Fuck Jeff Bezos.

R134 - are you dyslexic?

So here's the industry consensus on how Amazon should proceed with the bond franchise. And as mentioned several times throughout this thread, it's Nolan, Nolan, Nolan.

[quote] “According to half a dozen industry insiders that spoke to TheWrap, Christopher Nolan remains both the top choice and the perfect filmmaker to reinvigorate Bond. Last week, another outlet reported that Nolan almost came close to directing a Bond movie after Tenet, yet he opted to direct Oppenheimer instead because Barbara Broccoli wouldn’t grant him final cut.”

[quote] “’If Amazon wants to preserve the legacy, they should do everything possible to get Chris Nolan and wait for him as long as needed,’ a top franchise film producer told TheWrap.” Given Nolan’s status as a director, a Bond film helmed by him would be a strong contender to become just the second 007 movie to gross over $1 billion after 2011’s Skyfall.

They don't seem to have much confidence in the franchise if its entire fate hinges on one single director name. To be honest I'm not sure I want an Oscar winning director to do a Bond. Bond to me is escapism with some depth but not too much. Please don't make it high concept drama.

More specific details on the Broccoli negotiations with Amazon.

[quote] Zero progress has been made towards a new James Bond movie, reports The Hollywood Reporter. There is reportedly no script, no director and no actor as of yet.

[quote] Amazon had approached the Broccolis with pitches for a James Bond spin-off series based on Moneypenny. Once it was revealed that Broccoli called the Amazon execs “fucking idiots” to her friends, Jeff Bezos said, “I don’t care what it costs, get rid of her.”

[quote] According to THR, Amazon paid producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson “close to a billion dollars” to walk away from the James Bond franchise. Amazon MGM now has full creative control over the franchise.

[quote] To be honest I'm not sure I want an Oscar winning director to do a Bond

Too late.

Sam Mendes directed Skyfall.

And as mentioned above, Skyfall made 1.1 billion dollars world wide in 2012.

It was not a shake-up, it was a carefully orchestrated and negotiated purchase.

Like what Disney did with Doctor Who.

Inside Amazon's 007 takeover:

FUN FACT - The first production of James Bond was a massive investment and risk. EON (the production company for James Bond stood for EVERYTHING OR NOTHING Which is what they thought their risk/reward ratio was. 😀 The more you know. heehee

From r139

“Ernst Stavro Bezos”

Bond is over. it's run its course. The Bourne Identity and Mission Impossible Series have seen t o that.

My vote goes to Idris Elba as the new 007.

After 72 years, r146 declares James Bond “over.”

Amazon paid billions for a dead carcass.

RIP

I hope they did pay billions for a dead carcass. I hate Amazon.

R146 is funny. Swooping in here without reading anything that has been said already, dumping the first thing that came to his mind believing that his thought was what the thread still needed.

R146 is stupid. The entire last series was influenced by Bourne and it was the most successful by far.

Duh.

"My vote goes to Idris Elba as the new 007."

He's 52, so no. Too old.

The measure of the relative success of Bond films is distorted by inflation. Here’s a ranking in constant dollars.

R27 The Daniel Craig movies are literally rip offs of Nolan’s Batman movies so I don’t think Nolan would do anything we haven’t seen before.

R152 That’s the issue. All the actors who have been championed to be the next Bond are now too old.

Elba and Cavill could have had it years ago when people started talking about a new Bond. Now they’re too old.

Daniel Craig has been complaining for the last 10 years he’s gotten too old to play Bond. It’s physically exhausting.

R154 Not true. Example, The Dark Knight Rises is a direct rip-off of The World is not Enough.

Bezos in charge; Broccoli out with no creative control. Here's your next Bond. He's 44 and fits in well with the Bezos philosophy.

Jeff Bezos presents Now or Never Forever Again.

He’s American. That’s a no.

You think Amazon cares?

They have announced that it will be a British or commonwealth actor.

Cavill is only 41 which is the age Fleming said Bond is.

Didn't Barbara Broccoli announce that, R161? Has there been any announcement about the type of actor they want for Bond since she ceded power to Amazon?

Bond is officially dead.

British, brutish, blue eyes, black hair, 6ft tall, 32-42.

Not an announcement, r163, but a leak

[quote] Bond is officially dead.

Show me the death certificate.

Killing Bond was the stupidest idea, bar none, the Broccolis ever agreed to.

Why? Bond has been a complete reboot in the Craig era. There is no continuity with the Bond played by the other actors. Even the class Aston Martin from Goldfinger has an entirely new backstory. So killing him just means they start again. Each actor’s take stands alone. It’s easier that way than keeping track of all the events from 25 films.

^classic