Now, out doing press for new Netflix murder mystery movie ‘The Thursday Murder Club’, Pierce Brosnan –– who famously played Bond between 1995 and 2002 –– has weighed in on whether he’d come back. And it appears he would!
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Brosnan, of course, wasn’t being entirely serious with his comments, but you can read more about what he said below…
What did Pierce Brosnan say about a Bond movie return?
Pierce Brosnan as James Bond in ‘Die Another Day.’ Photo: MGM.
Talking with the Radio Times, Brosnan addressed if he thought there was still a place for him in the James Bond world:
“My wife Keely [Shaye Smith] and I have been listening to the drumbeat of expectation of who’s going to be the next James Bond. There are many great candidates out there, and I’m sure they’re going to make it a spectacle of delight. I don’t think anyone wants to see a craggy, 72-year-old Bond, but if Villeneuve had something up his sleeve I would look at it in a heartbeat. Why not? It’s great entertainment. It could be lots of laughs. Bald caps, prosthetics… who knows?”
And you know what? We’d be happy to see Brosnan taking on the role of M, the head of MI6 who is usually the one to send Bond out on his missions (and complain about his wayward tactics).
In the more recent Bond movies, the character has been played by Judi Dench and Ralph Fiennes.
Yet Brosnan wasn’t the only person weighing in on the future of Bond. His ’Thursday Murder Club’ co-star Helen Mirren also broached the issue.
According to Mirren –– who plays a former intelligence operative in ‘Thursday Murder Club’ –– and was talking to Saga magazine, she thinks that despite calls for a woman to finally play Bond, the character should stay as he is:
“I’m such a feminist, but James Bond has to be a guy. You can’t have a woman. It just doesn’t work. James Bond has to be James Bond, otherwise it becomes something else.”
When will the next Bond movie be on screens?
While it has Villeneuve in the director’s chair and Steven Knight writing the script, we’re a ways away from an announcement on the date. We don’t even yet know who will actually be playing Bond.
‘The Thursday Murder Club’, meanwhile, lands on Netflix on August 28th.
With Daniel Craig stepping away and Amazon MGM Studios taking over the franchise, finding a new James Bond is crucial to the series’ success.
Amazon supposedly has a wish list of actors, while other names have also been cropping up – sometimes for years.
Only six actors have officially played Bond in more than 60 years.
Who should be the next actor to don the mantle of James Bond, agent 007 of the British Secret Service? That question has vexed filmmakers since the franchise first launched in 1962, when then-superstars like Cary Grant and Richard Burton were bypassed in favor of a little-known Scottish actor named Sean Connery. In the 60-plus years since ‘Dr. No’ introduced Bond to audiences, six actors (seven, if you include David Niven in the non-canonical 1967 Bond spoof, ‘Casino Royale’) have worn the tuxedo, with a mix of established stars and relative unknowns taking on the role for stints varying from one film (George Lazenby) to seven (Roger Moore).
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Some Bonds, of course, have been more successful than others, but the venerable franchise faces a challenge on two fronts now: first, the property has changed hands for the first time in decades, with the Broccoli family’s Eon Productions – which has been behind every Bond film to date – ceding control to Amazon MGM Studios. Second, the next Bond actor will follow the five-film run of Daniel Craig, which yielded one of the franchise’s all-time best films (2006’s ‘Casino Royale’) as well as its highest-grossing (2012’s billion-earning ‘Skyfall’).
But there’s more to it than that. The next Bond, whoever he is – and all kinds of potential names have been circulating for years – has to find just the right balance of qualities. He should be young enough (early 30s) to have cross-generational appeal, but not too young that he seems to lack experience; he should be as quick with his gun as he is with a quip or double-entendre; he needs to portray both the ruthless brutality of a top-notch assassin and the vulnerability of a lonely, haunted man; and he must be both physically imposing and sexually alluring.
Not such a tall order, right? There’s no question that director Denis Villeneuve and producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman have their work cut out for them. So let’s take a quick scan of the names that are out there now – and analyze whether any of them are destined to become the next James Bond.
Let’s start with the actors who won’t be Bond. The irony is that all of them were mooted for the role at one point or another, but time has frankly passed them by. That short list includes Henry Cavill, a fan favorite who auditioned for the role at age 22 but lost to Daniel Craig. At 42, he’s the same age as Pierce Brosnan when the latter got the part, and three years younger than Roger Moore. But Cavill is also far too recognizable from playing Superman in the DC Extended Universe and the title role in ‘The Witcher’ TV series.
Also, outside of his stints as Kal-El, Cavill is not a box office draw. That in itself means nothing, especially if the producers go with a smaller name – but Cavill has been on screens long enough to prove that he lacks a certain quality that audiences flock to see.
Tom Hardy, likewise, has been in hits such as ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ and the ‘Venom’ trilogy, but has had an erratic box office run outside of those. At age 47, he’s also pretty much aged out of the role already. The same goes for 52-year-old Idris Elba, a popular choice for a long time who was reportedly reluctant to consider the role because he worried whether audiences would accept a Bond of color. Of the three, he probably would have been the most formidable choice.
The Amazon MGM List
Tom Holland arrives on the red carpet of The 90th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre in Hollywood, CA on Sunday, March 4, 2018. Credit/Provider: Paul Hebert / A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: A.M.P.A.S.
Variety reported in June 2025 than Amazon MGM was interested in casting an actor under 30 as Bond. The studio’s wish list featured three actors: Tom Holland, Harris Dickinson, and Jacob Elordi — all decent-to-good actors still exploring their potential, but not necessarily able to nail the role of Bond.
Let’s dismiss Holland right off the bat. Fair or not, he’s a relatively small fellow with a baby face that will simply not suit Bond. Not only that, his global fame all stems from his portrayal of Peter Parker/Spider-Man in six Marvel films, with at least two more to go. Holland is simply too youthful and too associated with the web-slinger to step into 007’s shoes.
At 28, the Australian Elordi (the person playing Bond, by the way, can be British, Irish, Scottish, Welsh, or Australian – but not American) is probably the best all-around actor and may have just enough gravitas (and height) to evolve with the role. Dickinson, meanwhile, showed psychological and sexual intensity in ‘Babygirl’ and a rough physicality in ‘The Iron Claw,’ but like most of the actors attached to the role, would still have to bulk his slender frame up a bit.
When you get past names like Holland, Cavill, and Elordi, there is a whole crop of relatively young U.K. actors who, for the most part, are relatively obscure outside their home turf even if they’ve done some movie and TV work in Hollywood. Leading that pack is Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who’s been bandied about as a frontrunner for 007 for the past couple of years but remains fairly low-key with the public despite roles in high-profile films like ‘Nosferatu’ and ‘28 Years Later.’ Taylor-Johnson is a good actor, but he’s missing something – a certain magnetism – that makes us reluctant to consider him for Bond.
Theo James is another British actor who has scored some impressive credentials – most recently, he starred in the TV version of ‘The Gentlemen,’ Season 2 of ‘The White Lotus’ and the Stephen King film ‘The Monkey’ – but at 40 may be at the tipping point to play 007. Will Poulter, meanwhile, has shown physical prowess in the recent ‘Warfare’ and as Adam Warlock in ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,’ and can be quite menacing (he’s frightening as a sadistic cop in ‘Detroit’), but may lack the sexual spark necessary to attract female audiences.
Jack Lowden in ‘Slow Horses’ season 3 premiering November 29, 2023 on Apple TV+.
One interesting candidate whose name has surfaced again and again is Scottish thespian Jack Lowden – at 35, he’s the right age, he has rugged good looks along with experience in physical action roles, and his resume (which also includes extensive stage work) ranges from high-level productions like the BBC’s 2016 version of ‘War and Peace’ to the acclaimed Apple TV+ series ‘Slow Horses,’ in which he plays – in an eerie coincidence – an MI5 agent.
Do any of these – or even the other candidates above – scream ‘James Bond’ at us? Not necessarily. But actors are capable of transforming themselves in ways that we ordinary folks can’t often imagine, and one of the above – if not someone yet unrevealed to us – will certainly emerge from that process as the next Bond…James Bond.
Sean Connery as James Bond in 1964’s ‘Goldfinger’. Photo: United Artists.
(Left) Steven Knight attends the ‘All The Light We Cannot See’ New York special screening at Paris Theater on October 30, 2023 in New York City. Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Netflix. (Right) Daniel Craig in ‘No Time To Die’. Photo: Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures.
Preview:
‘Peaky Blinders’ creator Steven Knight is the write the next Bond movie.
We already know that ‘Dune’ director Denis Villeneuve will be the filmmaker charged with bringing 007 back to screens following the effective slate wipe that was Daniel Craig’s final outing, ‘No Time to Die’.
Knight is a fascinating choice –– while he has produced some truly great (and occasionally Oscar-nominated) work, he’s also had a few whiffs, such as ‘Serenity’ and ‘Locked Down’. But he is certainly an interesting person to work alongside Villeneuve on Bond.
“It has always been on my bucket list, and it’s fantastic to be invited to do it — I can’t wait to get started. I’m hoping that, being a Bond fan for so many years, it will be imbued into me and I will be able to produce something that’s the same but different, and better, stronger and bolder.”
“I very quickly discovered what it was about and became very excited and hopeful. And then the process is…you do some meetings, you discuss some ideas, and then you find out you’ve got it. I found out a while ago, but it was announced last night, which is great. It’s a high pressure job, but you’ve just got to do what you do, do it as well as you can.”
That’s the next big question that fans are looking to answer.
We’ve had a wealth of names speculated about since Craig hung up his holster and downed his last martini (and, er –– spoiler alert for ‘No Time to Die’ –– let’s not forget was blown up by a missile).
Pierre will next be seen in DC/HBO series ‘Lanterns’.
When will the new Bond movie be on screens?
With Villeneuve currently busy preparing to make the third ‘Dune’ outing (that one is scheduled for December 16th, 2026), we wouldn’t expect to see a new Bond much before 2027 at the earliest.
Denis Villeneuve is directing the new James Bond movie, which doesn’t immediately sound like the perfect fit.
As a lifelong Bond fan, choosing Denis Villeneuve puts the future of the franchise in good hands.
If nothing else, Denis Villeneuve will make the most visually stunning James Bond movie.
It was recently announced that Denis Villeneuve is going to be directing the new James Bond film, after control was handed over to Amazon MGM. While the internet is debating on if he is right for the job or not, there are a lot of things that make him the perfect choice, but a couple concerns as well.
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Not a lot is known about the next film, including which actor will be portraying the title character. Denis Villeneuve is busy with the upcoming ‘Dune: Messiah‘ which releases in December 2026 meaning it might be a while until we hear more details about this movie. Chances are the new 007 movie will not start filming until ‘Dune: Messiah’ is in post-production, although the script and casting should be completed before then.
Fans are looking at a late 2026 or early 2027 release at the earliest. That definately feels like a long time after 2021’s ‘No Time To Die‘.
James Bond (Daniel Craig) prepares to shoot in ‘No Time To Die,’ a Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures film.
Probably the most exciting aspect of this decision is that Denis Villeneuve has admitted that he grew up watching the James Bond films. They hold a special place in his heart and he went so far as to call them sacred territory so he knows what he needs to accomplish. And if anyone can do it, it is him.
Often when a director is passionate about a franchise before they are welcomed into it, they want nothing more than to create a perfect addition to it. This is something that Denis Villeneuve has dreamed of, making it unlikely he would do anything that would anger the fans.
He knows what works and what doesn’t in a James Bond movie, and he is certainly willing to put in the work. No one has ever claimed that Denis Villeneuve doesn’t know what he is doing, so odds are he will put everything he has into making the next James Bond movie something special. Why take on the responsibility of something like this, especially a franchise you love, and phone it in?
This Could Be The Most Visually Stunning Bond Movie With Denis Villeneuve At The Helm
With Denis Villeneuve in the director’s chair for the new James Bond movie, there is a good chance this is going to be the most beautiful of the franchise. As exciting as this is, here is where one of the concerns comes in. No one is doubting that with Denis Villeneuve involved this movie is going to look beautiful, as we have seen him win multiple awards for visual effects and cinematography, but you need more than that for a successful film.
His visual style doesn’t exactly scream James Bond. At least not at first thought. Denis Villeneuve is known for sweeping landscapes, desaturated tones, and extremely well done special effects. These are all things that the new James Bond movie could thrive off of, but it might take long time fans a bit longer to get used to it.
‘Blade Runner 2049‘ is a great example. The film might have been a box office disappointment, but it is also applauded for its incredible visuals and world building. It found its audience at home after some were skeptical about Denis Villeneuve being at the helm and a need for another movie.
The new James Bond movie will not have this problem, however, as it is already a well established franchise. Odds are fans will be showing up in theaters no matter what, although that also depends slightly on who the next James Bond actor is.
Denis Villeneuve Is Widely Considered One Of Today’s Best Working Directors
Of course there were fans of ‘Dune‘ before Denis Villeneuve’s films, but he introduced it to so many people all around the world in a way that caused them to explore the world further: reading the books, seeing the previous film, and so on. His work drew people in and created new fans, which is something that he could do for the James Bond franchise as well, something Amazon MGM surely thought about.
Denis Villeneuve has a way of adapting and growing already established projects, like ‘Dune’ and ‘Blade Runner‘. He often remains faithful enough to the original, but still adds something new and exciting. He knows how to build tension and create worlds and characters that will leave viewers mesmerized.
James Bond already has a well established fan base, but it still needs the next movie to be good, well-respected, and an entertaining watch. Denis Villeneuve is going to bring his A-game because of his love for the character. He is well versed in the films so there is no need to think he will change what makes James Bond so beloved. Surely we are all in good hands.
Amazon MGM Studios has announced that Denis Villeneuve will direct the next James Bond movie.
The news follows Bond shepherds Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson handing over control.
There’s still no official word on a new Bond.
At least one mystery surrounding the future of the Bond franchise can be laid to rest alongside the villains that our hero has killed in his years of service: we know who will direct the next 007 movie after the long hiatus following ‘No Time to Die.’
It might sound like a surprise –– and not least because of the filmmaker’s current busy schedule –– but despite his love of putting his stamp on projects, he’s worked comfortably in the blockbuster/franchise space before –– besides the ‘Dune’ movies, there was ‘Blade Runner 2049’.
Villeneuve is now part of a team that already includes producers David Heyman and Amy Pascal, and executive producer Tanya Lapointe (who has worked with Villeneuve for years).
Here’s what Villeneuve had to say on the news:
“Some of my earliest movie-going memories are connected to 007. I grew up watching James Bond films with my father, ever since ‘Dr. No’ with Sean Connery. I’m a die-hard Bond fan. To me, he’s sacred territory. I intend to honor the tradition and open the path for many new missions to come. This is a massive responsibility, but also, incredibly exciting for me and a huge honor. Amy, David, and I are absolutely thrilled to bring him back to the screen. Thank you to Amazon MGM Studios for their trust.”
And here’s Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios:
“We are honored that Denis has agreed to direct James Bond’s next chapter. He is a cinematic master, whose filmography speaks for itself. From ‘Blade Runner 2049’ to ‘Arrival’ to the ‘Dune’ films, he has delivered compelling worlds, dynamic visuals, complex characters, and — most importantly — the immersive storytelling that global audiences yearn to experience in theaters. James Bond is in the hands of one of today’s greatest filmmakers and we cannot wait to get started on 007’s next adventure.”
Finally, Heyman and Pascal weighed in on the decision:
“Denis Villeneuve has been in love with James Bond movies since he was a little boy. It was always his dream to make this movie, and now it’s ours, too. We are lucky to be in the hands of this extraordinary filmmaker.”
That’s the next big question that fans are looking to answer.
We’ve had a wealth of names speculated about since Daniel Craig hung up his holster and downed his last martini (and, er –– spoiler alert for ‘No Time to Die’ –– was blown up by a missile).
Pierre will next be seen in DC/HBO series ‘Lanterns’.
The Amazon MGM movement comes, of course, after the surprise decision by 007 stewards Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson to hand the reins of the franchise over to the company for a hefty pay day.
Talking of…
Bond handover: the studio and producers’ comments
Daniel Craig as James Bond in ‘Casino Royale.’
This was Wilson’s comment at the time:
“With my 007 career spanning nearly 60 incredible years, I am stepping back from producing the James Bond films to focus on art and charitable projects. Therefore, Barbara and I agree, it is time for our trusted partner, Amazon MGM Studios, to lead James Bond into the future.”
And crucially, Barbara Broccoli:
“My life has been dedicated to maintaining and building upon the extraordinary legacy that was handed to Michael and me by our father, producer Cubby Broccoli. I have had the honour of working closely with four of the tremendously talented actors who have played 007 and thousands of wonderful artists within the industry. With the conclusion of ‘No Time to Die’ and Michael retiring from the films, I feel it is time to focus on my other projects.”
Broccoli and Wilson stepping back is perhaps less of a surprise these days since she in particular has expressed frustration with the Amazon deal. And this way, the duo will have some small say in the future, but also enjoy what is surely a healthy payday.
When will the new Bond movie be on screens?
With Villeneuve currently busy preparing to make the third ‘Dune’ outing (that one is scheduled for December 16th, 2026), we wouldn’t expect to see a new Bond much before 2027 at the earliest.
Let’s not forget –– hiring a director is just the first step. Now the current Bond team needs a script and a leading man around which the build the new movie.
(L to R) Ben Affleck, Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Daniella Pineda and Jon Berthal at the Amazon/MGM presentation at CinemaCon 2025 in Las Vegas.Photo: Amazon/MGM.
Preview:
‘Project Hail Mary’ and more were showcased at Amazon MGM’s CinemaCon presentation.
There was news of ‘Masters of the Universe’ and Luca Guadagno’s latest.
Ryan Gosling, Ben Affleck and more showed up to support their movies.
Amazon has popped up at CinemaCon a couple of times in the past, but usually partnered with one of the big theatrical studios. But as Amazon MGM Studios plans to hugely expand its cinematic footprint (having also joined the Motion Picture Association), it is also making its big, proper debut at the movie trade show.
Given the recent giant news about Amazon gaining full control of the Bond franchise, there was plenty of expectation of some announcement about that, though even with the hiring of producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman to oversee the company’s plans, unless the deal to bring them in was sealed a lot earlier than reported, was it likely that we’d have anything beyond the company touting the new arrangement?
It was an unusually late schedule time-wise, presumably because the likes of Sony, Warners, Disney and co. had snapped up the prime spots. But as a statement of intent from the new kid on the block, it had to deliver.
It’s another tale of a reluctant astronaut, this one played by Ryan Gosling, who has to try and save the Earth. The presentation kicked off with the impressive first teaser for the sci-fi movie. Set to Harry Styles’ ‘Sign of the Times,’ it looks very different to other Lord/Miller movies, but also great.
Gosling plays a schoolteacher recruited by Sandra Huller to save the planet, which is threatened by a dying sun. “You want the right stuff. I’ve got the wrong stuff! I put the NOT in astronaut. I can’t even moonwalk!” he claims amusingly (it’s even funnier coming from the man who played Neil Armstrong in ‘First Man.’)
Mike Hopkins, Head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios took the stage to announce that the company is committed to theatrical releases, with 14 working titles being readied for next year and 15 planned for 2027. They’re apparently ahead of schedule.
And the ‘Project Hail Mary’ team –– Lord, Miller and Gosling –– arrived on stage to caution the crowd that all the footage was work in progress, with Gosling singling cinematographer Greig Fraser (who also worked on the ‘Dune’ movies) out for particular praise.
Lord and Miller explained how much of themselves they poured into the movie, the biggest project they’ve ever worked on.
Gosling: “This is why we go to the movies, and I’m not just saying it because I’m in it. I’m ALSO a producer on this movie.”
Says Miller:
“Thank you for seeing movies on the big screen with the most weird and disturbing popcorn buckets imaginable.” Can’t wait to see their ‘Hail Mary’ bucket…
‘Project Hail Mary Blasts’ off in theaters on March 20th, 2026.
‘The Thomas Crown Affair’ apparently “has a few unexpected, modern twists.” Bradford Young is the cinematographer on the movie, and ‘Black Panther’s Ruth E. Carter will handle the costumes.
‘Verity,’ meanwhile, had a teaser to show, featuring the song ‘Fade Into You’ by Mazzy Star, and introduced by a fun video by the cast.
‘Verity’ has a May15th, 2026 release date set, while ‘Thomas Crown’ is too early in the process to score its own slot yet.
The latest drama from the prolific Luca Guadagnino stars Julia Roberts and Andrew Garfield and follows a professor whose career is derailed by scandal. Andrew Garfield’s character is accused of assaulting Ayo Edebiri’s, and it becomes major news after Julia Roberts’ character, an attorney, takes on his case.
Edebiri and Garfield showed up on stage with Guadagnino, and Garfield praised his director, who he said he’d wanted to work with for 15 years.
The first footage from the movie was screened for the audience via a trailer.
‘After The Hunt’ will head to theaters on October 17th.
The new Chris Pratt sci-fi pic ‘Mercy’ was the next to be spotlighted, with the first footage of the movie, directed by Timur Bekmambetov.
It’s a blend of courtroom drama and action where an AI program serves as the judge, jury, and executioner. Pratt has 90 minutes to prove he didn’t kill his wife, using all technology available.
Since the trailer introduces the audiences to a high-tech chair where Pratt’s character is confined, what better way to promote than by having Pratt in said chair on stage for the presentation, jokingly forced to say a proper thank you to the assembled exhibitors, lest he had to Uber home.
Co-starring Rebecca Ferguson, the film will be in cinemas on January 23rd, 2026.
Lest you start checking again whether we’ve turned the clock back to April Fool’s Day, this is in fact a very real movie, directed by ‘Despicable Me’ veteran Kyle Balda, and is a live-action murder mystery where the detectives are sheep.
Director Layton, who says that from the very beginning, this movie was written, imagined, planned and dreamed for the big screen, is joined by Hemsworth and Berry on stage to introduce a trailer.
Layton also says he wrote Keoghan’s part as a dirt bike-riding maniac especially for him.
Hemsworth added that they wanted to make a gripping and thought provoking thriller that really captures L.A.
Director Aleshea Harris makes her cinematic debut with an adaptation of her play.
Vivica A. Fox took the stage with some of the other cast to show a trailer.
It’s the story of two little girls and their mother who were the victims of an arson attack at the hands of their father (Sterling K. Brown). Their mother’s dying wish? That the two girls, now adults, kill their father.
After that, head of film Courtenay Valenti and marketing chief Sue Kroll were introduced to extoll the company’s commitment to theatrical and that it is ramping up more productions from the Orion and United Artists.
From there, it was back to film promotion with…
Daniel Craig as James Bond in ‘Casino Royale.’
Bond! But there isn’t very much to tell yet (as we guessed), with more of a mention that chosen producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman are getting down to work in London to figure out next steps.
“(We are) committed to honoring the legacy of Bond while bringing a fresh take.”
With the movie finally in production after years in development limbo, a behind-the-scenes featurette screened, which included a lot of work-in-progress props, and some sound bites from the powers that be promising a movie that is loyal to the cartoon and the toys.
Director Travis Knight gushed about having wanted to make this movie for years, adding:
“I have been a fan of Masters of the Universe pretty much my entire life. It was something I lived and breathed. I had the toys. I even had a He-Man haircut.”
‘Masters of the Universe’ will be on screens on June 5th, 2026.
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Headed our way more imminently (as in, a couple of weeks) is…
(L to R) Ben Affleck, Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Gavin O’Connor, Daniella Pineda a and Jon Berthal at the Amazon/MGM presentation at CinemaCon 2025 in Las Vegas.Photo: Amazon/MGM.
Affleck, Bernthal, Cynthia Addai Robinson and O’Connor were there to present an extended trailer for the action movie, which indicates that this sequel leans into the buddy comedy interplay between the brothers played by Affleck and Bernthal. While the trailer’s humor worked, the scripted banter on stage left something to the imagination, though it wasn’t really the fault of the cast.
‘The Accountant 2’ shoots for screens on April 25th
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Amazon MGM Studios’ presentation wrapped up with much talk of the past, present and future for the company’s ambitions –– and the assembled talent from their projects taking a selfie.
Amazon has officially hired producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman to oversee the Bond franchise.
They’ll replace longtime shepherds Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson.
It follows the company securing creative control over the spy movie.
Forget M and Q, now we know a little bit more about who will be guiding Ian Fleming’s super-spy James Bond in future endeavors.
Following the recent change in Bond creative ownership (get all the details below), Amazon/MGM Studios has officially set powerhouse producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman to oversee the Bond franchise on screens big and (if Amazon has its way) small.
The news confirms rumors first floated by reporter Jeff Sneider, who brought word that Amazon was looking to bring in two giant producing veterans to steer the Bond movies.
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Pascal, of course, already has Bond bona fides (Bonda fides?), as when she served as Sony’s chairman of film, she oversaw the release and distribution of the likes of ‘Casino Royale,’ ‘Quantum of Solace,’ ‘Skyfall’ and ‘Spectre,’ which are among the most successful movies featuring the character.
She’s also been a key part of the ‘Spider-Man’ franchise and holds a wealth of experience bringing big movies to screens.
As for Heyman, he has a little franchise called ‘Harry Potter’ to his credit, one of the most successful movie series of all time. He’s also worked on a variety of other projects, including the ‘Paddington’ movies.
Producer Amy Pascal attends the Los Angeles Premiere of Amazon MGM Studios’ ‘Challengers’ at Regency Village Theatre on April 16, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images for Amazon MGM Studios.
Here’s what Amazon MGM Studios’ Head of Film, Courtenay Valenti had to say about the new recruits:
“We are approaching every creative decision with James Bond, which Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson have so masterfully steered, with the greatest sense of responsibility. Part of an elite group of producers who have developed and managed massive film franchises to box office success and critical acclaim, Amy Pascal and David Heyman are two of the most accomplished, experienced, and respected film producers in our industry. We are honored to be working with them on James Bond’s next chapter and are excited to deliver to global audiences storytelling that upholds the impeccable legacy of this beloved character.”
And this was the statement from Pascal and Heyman:
“James Bond is one of the most iconic characters in the history of cinema. We are humbled to follow in the footsteps of Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson who made so many extraordinary films and honored and excited to keep the spirit of Bond very much alive as he embarks on his next adventure.”
What happened with Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson?
Daniel Craig as James Bond in ‘Casino Royale.’
In a shocking turn of events, Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, the longtime stalwart step-sibling powerhouse producers behind the last couple of decades of Bond films, relinquished control of the franchise and handed more creative decision-making to Amazon MGM studios.
It was perhaps not as surprising as it might have seemed, though: In 2022, Amazon bought MGM for $8.5 billion, acquiring a vast catalog with more than 4,000 films and 17,000 TV shows alongside the rights to distribute all of the James Bond films and to develop spin-offs (such as the frankly less-than thrilling reality competition show ‘007: Road to a Million,’ which saw Bond fans answering trivia questions –– posed by Brian Cox, no less –– in search of cash prizes).
But a key part of that deal was that the producers kept creative control of the character, deciding on who would play the main role, hiring directors and other key choices, while stopping ideas they didn’t approve of.
Yet it has seemed as though the pair were in something of a creative downbeat following the departure of Daniel Craig as Bond, with the character killed off in 2021’s ‘No Time to Die’ and little sign of forward movement.
Here’s what Broccoli previously told The Guardian on the past changes:
“I go back to ‘GoldenEye’ when everyone was saying ‘the cold war is over, the wall is over, Bond is dead, no need for Bond, the whole world’s at peace and now there’s no villains’ –– and boy was that wrong! Daniel gave us the ability to mine the emotional life of the character… and also the world was ready for it.”
And her comments on where they are with the next phase of the franchise from 2023:
“I think these movies reflect the time they are in, and there’s a big, big road ahead reinventing it for the next chapter, and we haven’t even begun with that. Our focus is making the feature films. When we get going on a Bond movie it takes our full attention for three or four years so that’s our focus. We make the Bond movies for the big theatrical screen and everything about the Bond movies is for audiences to see around the world on that format, so we’ve not wanted to do television.”
That seems likely to change going forward, as Amazon would clearly like to exploit new avenues.
As per details of the historic new agreement, Amazon MGM Studios, Wilson and Broccoli have formed a new joint venture to house the James Bond intellectual property rights. The three parties will remain co-owners of the iconic franchise but Amazon MGM will have creative control.
Broccoli and Wilson stepping back was perhaps less of a surprise these days since she in particular has expressed frustration with the Amazon deal. And this way, the duo will have some small say in the future, but also enjoy what is surely a healthy payday.
Following last year’s decent if unspectacular return to Oscar standard behavior, the 2025 ceremony was one heralded with some trepidation. There was a new host (comedian and talk show veteran Conan O’Brien), the need to pay tribute to Los Angeles in the wake of the devastating wildfires and speculation as to whether many of the categories would break the way they have in other awards shows.
As it turned out, it was a giant night for one movie which, while it had certainly been seen as a major contender, hadn’t been performing that way elsewhere. Some history was made and while the speeches had a political flavor at times, the show itself largely eschewed politics (beyond one smart gag about a certain sitting president and his attitude to Russia).
All said and done, despite a hefty running time (three hours and 45 minutes all told), this year’s Academy Awards is likely to be seen as largely a success. Read on for more of our thoughts…
Jon M. Chu’s adaptation of the long-running stage musical may only have picked up a couple of trophies on the night (more on one of them below), but following a middling montage celebrating movies set in Los Angeles, the movie’s stars, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, kicked off the show properly with a blast of nostalgia and then smart use of ‘Wicked’s standout song.
The pair began with “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” before segueing into “Defying Gravity” and the stylish presentation combined with powerhouse pipes proved to be just the right mix of celebration and spectacle.
There were the usual concerns in some quarters when Conan O’Brien was announced as this year’s Oscars host –– would he be too intellectual for audiences, was he enough of a “name”? As it turns out, he might just have scored a regular gig (assuming he wants this much pressure every year). Because by all estimations, he was a stellar emcee for the night.
Opening with a ‘Substance’ gag that was fairly expected but still played well, O’Brien’s monologue set the right tone: witty, entertaining and as usual, full of his trademark self-deprecating humor.
From threatening long-winded speeches with ‘Conclave’ star John Lithgow looking sad and disappointed to ejecting a tracksuit-clad, cheery Adam Sandler from the audience, he was assured and calm.
There were also solid gags about Timothée Chalamet’s yellow suit and bike safety, and a funny bit about promising to show stars’ early headshots if they rambled (Chalamet again, with an ultrasound image).
Later in the show there was the crack at Trump via a mention of ‘Anora’ (“I guess Americans are excited to see somebody finally stand up to a powerful Russian”) and a promise that the show was not made using A.I. (“We would never do that; we used child labor — hey, they’re still people!”)
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Yet despite a funny musical number (featuring a dancing Deadpool and a ‘Dune’ sandworm on piano) about not wasting the audience’s time, the show still ran very long, though that was more on the producers than the host. Which bring us to…
Perhaps the most egregious example of padding was the choice of the tribute to the music of James Bond. Introduced by former ‘Die Another Day’ star Halle Berry, it was a mishmash of performance art (Margaret Qualley showing off her well-honed dancing abilities) and karaoke night for the likes of Doja Cat and Lisa from Blackpink.
It’s a little ironic that the celebration of the venerable espionage franchise comes just as it has been fully swallowed up its corporate overlords at Amazon.
Also given special memorial treatment was music icon Quincy Jones, but despite a classy intro from Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey, the choice of “Ease on Down the Road” from ‘The Wiz’ was a vaguely confounding one.
Still, if the opening montage fell flat, the respect for First Responders (who have been more a staple of recent award shows than Karla Sofía Gascón) worked much better. Initially seeming like a now-traditional wave-and-accept-applause moment, O’Brien and his writing team turned it around by having fire officers and others read out jokes he thought were too mean, including LAFD Captain Eric Scott kicking off the bit with, “well, our hearts go out to all of those who have lost their homes… and I’m talking about the producers of ‘Joker 2.’ ”
If last year was all about big-budget blockbusters with “Barbenheimer,” 2025 was the year indies struck back.
Sean Baker’s ‘Anora,’ whose combined budget ($6 million) and box office ($40.9 million worldwide) would barely cover some of the salaries for some of the giant movies, went on to take five statuettes, including Best Picture, Best Director for Baker (who also scored Best Original Screenplay and Editing) and Mikey Madison named Best Actress.
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Baker became the first person since Walt Disney in 1954 to win four Oscars in one night (and the first for one movie they have personally directed), and showed that the Academy was ready to root for the little guys again.
Madison’s win was something of a surprise itself –– while she’d been going toe-to-toe with ‘The Substance’ star Demi Moore all awards season –– there had been a narrative of Moore’s legacy forming around the Best Actress gong. Yet it was Madison who ended up taking the stage for a teary, heartfelt speech.
Madison wasn’t the only winner to express her feelings. While the Oscar stage is no stranger to strong emotion, there was the usual blend of politics and heart-string plucking.
Baker used his various triumphs as a combined rallying call to support movies big and small and for seeing films in theaters in this age of shrinking windows and streaming dominance.
Best Documentary Feature ‘No Other Land’s Palestinian co-director Basel Adra called for an end to the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians, while his Israeli collaborator Yuval Abraham insisted that there can be peaceful solution to the war in Gaza that honors both Palestinian and Israeli people, adding that “the foreign policy in this country is helping to block this path. Can’t you see that we are intertwined? That my people can be truly safe and Basel’s people can be truly free?”
There were shoutouts to sex workers and immigrant children, while Team ‘Brutalist’ (especially composer Daniel Blumberg) seemed surprised and overawed by their wins, giving real, nervy speeches.
Kieran Culkin accepts the Oscar® for Actor in a Supporting Role during the live ABC Telecast of the 97th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 2, 2025.
And then there was the comedic speech of the night, with predicted Best Supporting Actor winner, ‘A Real Pain’s Kieran Culkin proving once more to be anything but on stage. He was enthusiastic and funny, and got further laughs by pointing out to his wife, Jazz Charton that they’d talked about having more children after his Emmy win, and that she’d mentioned she’d only consider a fourth child if he won an Oscar. Whoops!
Culkin wrapped up his moment in the spotlight with:
“You remember that, honey? You do? Then, I just have this to say to you, Jazz, love of my life, ye of little faith. No pressure. I love you. I’m really sorry I did this again. And let’s get crackin’ on those kids. What do you say? I love you!”
Best reaction to that? Culkin’s former ‘Succession’ co-star J. Smith Cameron, who played the long-suffering Gerri Kellman to his foul/motormouthed Roman Roy, offering the perfect tweet:
For the most part this year, the presenters did not embarrass themselves and the bits were relatively painless.
We got Ben Stiller slowly being swallowed by scenery to introduce Best Production Design, June Squibb admitting she’s being played by ‘Nosferatu’ star Bill Skarsgård in prosthetics whenever she’s at an event and Robert Downey Jr. following Conan’s comedic lead and then going sentimentally honest handing out Best Supporting Actor.
Some awards, such as Best Costume Design were presented by the stars of the nominees’ movies, and that proved to be a mixed bag, since they worked on an emotional level, but tended to drag a little. Thank goodness then, for John “I love a roomy cassock” Lithgow and ‘Wicked’s Bowen Yang bringing the funny.
A highlight? Rock icon Mick Jagger taking the stage to present Best Original Song, full of jokes about how Bob Dylan was asked to do his job first (which was true; the Academy offered the subject of ‘A Complete Unknown’ to host and perform, and he turned them down).
Was this the start of a stealth campaign to get Jagger a belated, throwback Oscar for ‘Freejack’? Your guess is as good as ours. And our guess is, “maybe?”
Sean Baker wasn’t the only filmmaker making history on Oscar night. ‘Wicked’ costume maestro Paul Tazewell became the first black person to win his category, making emotional note of the fact.
And while we all knew she would scoop her trophy (despite, er, being much more a lead than a supporting turn), Zoe Saldaña was gracious in victory and was clearly moved by becoming the first American of Dominican descent to win an Oscar as one of two for ‘Emilia Pérez.’
‘Flow’ surprised in the Animated Feature category, and became the first Latvian Oscar winner. “Ball’s in your court, Estonia,” quipped O’Brien after the team left the stage.
Proving that stars don’t have to just recreate classic scenes for Super Bowl commercials, ‘When Harry met Sally’ leads Billy Crystal (no stranger to Oscar hosting, he quipped “I used to work here,” following Ryan’s question of how long ago with “nine tuxedos…”) and Meg Ryan came on stage to give out Best Picture.
They were a classy, classic wrap to a successful event, which ended with ‘Anora’s Best Picture triumph.
James Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson are ceding some control of the character.
Amazon MGM Studios will have more of a say on future plans.
The producers will still have some input going forward, but not what they had before.
In his decades-long cinematic career (and before that, in the pages of author Ian Fleming’s books), James Bond has battled powerful villains, saved the world and gotten out of many a sticky situation using a combination of charm, wits, weaponry, gadgetry, or some combination of them all.
But now it would appear that the world’s greatest secret agent –– even if he can’t seem to stop introducing himself by name to all and sundry –– has come across something even he can’t defeat: the ever-IP-hungry behemoth that is Amazon and, to some degree, the modern world, which makes his brand increasingly difficult to figure out.
In a shocking turn of events, Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, the longtime stalwart step-sibling powerhouse producers behind the last couple of decades of Bond films, are relinquishing control of the franchise and handing more creative decision-making to Amazon MGM studios.
It’s perhaps not as surprising as it might sound, though: In 2022, Amazon bought MGM for $8.5 billion, acquiring a vast catalog with more than 4,000 films and 17,000 TV shows alongside the rights to distribute all of the James Bond films and to develop spin-offs (such as the frankly less-than thrilling reality competition show ‘007: Road to a Million,’ which saw Bond fans answering trivia questions –– posed by Brian Cox, no less –– in search of cash prizes).
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But a key part of that deal was that the producers kept creative control of the character, deciding on who would play the main role, hiring directors and other key choices, while stopping ideas they didn’t approve of.
Yet it has seemed as though the pair were in something of a creative downbeat following the departure of Daniel Craig as Bond, with the character killed off in 2021’s ‘No Time to Die’ and little sign of forward movement.
“I go back to ‘GoldenEye’ when everyone was saying ‘the cold war is over, the wall is over, Bond is dead, no need for Bond, the whole world’s at peace and now there’s no villains’ –– and boy was that wrong! Daniel gave us the ability to mine the emotional life of the character… and also the world was ready for it.”
And her comments on where they are with the next phase of the franchise from 2023:
“I think these movies reflect the time they are in, and there’s a big, big road ahead reinventing it for the next chapter, and we haven’t even begun with that. Our focus is making the feature films. When we get going on a Bond movie it takes our full attention for three or four years so that’s our focus. We make the Bond movies for the big theatrical screen and everything about the Bond movies is for audiences to see around the world on that format, so we’ve not wanted to do television.”
That seems likely to change going forward, as Amazon would clearly like to exploit new avenues.
As per details of the historic new agreement, Amazon MGM Studios, Wilson and Broccoli have formed a new joint venture to house the James Bond intellectual property rights. The three parties will remain co-owners of the iconic franchise but Amazon MGM will have creative control.
Here’s Amazon MGM’s statement on the new deal from Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios:
“Since his theatrical introduction over 60 years ago, James Bond has been one of the most iconic characters in filmed entertainment. We are grateful to the late Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman for bringing James Bond to movie theatres around the world, and to Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli for their unyielding dedication and their role in continuing the legacy of the franchise that is cherished by legions of fans worldwide. We are honored to continue this treasured heritage and look forward to ushering in the next phase of the legendary 007 for audiences around the world.”
This was Wilson’s comment:
“With my 007 career spanning nearly 60 incredible years, I am stepping back from producing the James Bond films to focus on art and charitable projects. Therefore, Barbara and I agree, it is time for our trusted partner, Amazon MGM Studios, to lead James Bond into the future.”
And finally, most crucially, Barbara Broccoli:
“My life has been dedicated to maintaining and building upon the extraordinary legacy that was handed to Michael and me by our father, producer Cubby Broccoli. I have had the honour of working closely with four of the tremendously talented actors who have played 007 and thousands of wonderful artists within the industry. With the conclusion of ‘No Time to Die’ and Michael retiring from the films, I feel it is time to focus on my other projects.”
Broccoli and Wilson stepping back is perhaps less of a surprise these days since she in particular has expressed frustration with the Amazon deal. And this way, the duo will have some small say in the future, but also enjoy what is surely a healthy payday.
Bond: The Future?
James Bond (Daniel Craig) prepares to shoot in ‘No Time To Die,’ a Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures film.
While Amazon might say as much as possible about respecting the franchise (and certainly has a powerhouse team in place to spur development), fans will naturally worry that there will be a multitude of spin-offs to dilute the idea of Bond.
Bond, as a character, though, will always be compelling, especially as the Craig era proved you can evolve it to fit the changing times.
Still, can ‘M:I6 Babies’ be too far off?
(L to R) James Bond (Daniel Craig) and Dr. Madeleine Swann (Léa Seydoux) drive through Matera, Italy in ‘No Time To Die,’
1968’s ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’. Photo: United Artists.
Preview:
A new version of ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ is in the works.
Amazon/MGM and Eon Productions are developing the movie.
No writer or director is attached yet.
When you hear the name Ian Fleming, chances are the first thing your mind pictures is the superspy James Bond, in whatever incarnation is your favorite. Are you a Sean Connery fan? A Daniel Craig enthusiast? Or do you fly the Timothy Dalton flag in face of surprise and resistance?
But there is another creation for which Fleming gets credit, one a little more family friendly than the gun-toting, sex-happy espionage expert: ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.’
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It was adapted into a successful kids’ film (more on that shortly) and now Amazon MGM Studios –– which has an existing relationship with Barbara Broccoli’s Eon Productions, which shepherds the Bond movies –– is looking to make a new version.
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What’s the story of ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’?
(L to R) Sally Ann Howes and Dick Van Dyke in 1968’s ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’. Photo: United Artists.
“Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: The Magical Car” was written by Fleming in the mid-1960s, and adapted into a screenplay by Roald Dahl, Ken Hughes with Richard Maibaum.
The story follows Eccentric inventor Caractacus Potts, his two children, and his lady friend, Truly Scrumptious, who go on a picnic at the beach where they are soon whisked into a magical world of pirates, castles, and a flying car called Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
In the adventure that ensues, they journey to Vulgaria and encounter the evil tyrant Baron Bomburst and his child-hating wife, who kidnap Potts’ children and steal Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. With the assistance of the kindly village toymaker, Potts plans an elaborate scheme to rescue the kidnapped children and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang from the Baron’s castle on his birthday.
It memorably features one of the creepiest villains in cinematic history via the Child Catcher (played by Helpmann).
Who would work on the new ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ movie?
1968’s ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’. Photo: United Artists.
That’s a big question mark right now; Amazon MGM is meeting with writers and directors to discuss the best angle for the new adaptation (which we’re thinking will need to be considerably updated for the current era), so we’ll have to wait and see who steps up.
Broccoli and Eon will produce the new movie.
When would the new ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ movie be in theaters?
With the project still at the development stage, it’s still far too early to speculate on when it might arrive in theaters, or whether Amazon chooses to send it to streaming.
Dick Van Dyke in 1968’s ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’. Photo: United Artists.
