Months have handed for the reason that information that Amazon Studios is taking full artistic management of the commemorated James Bond franchise … however we’re lastly one step nearer to seeing what this unsure, new actuality may very well appear to be. The Jeff Bezos-owned conglomerate paid a hefty sum to kick the Broccoli household to the curb and seize management of the property — which was beforehand run primarily by producers Barbara Broccoli and her half-brother Michael G. Wilson — in an effort to kickstart the subsequent part of the franchise after star Daniel Craig bowed out with “No Time to Die” in 2021. Hypothesis has raged over how, precisely, Amazon-run 007 motion pictures will take kind, although the straightforward guess can be one thing taken proper out of the Marvel Studios playbook: easily-controlled administrators with little or no artistic imaginative and prescient of their very own, omnipotent producers calling the pictures, and a company technique that lends itself to spin-offs and sequels and all types of IP-friendly concepts to make shareholders very comfortable.
But when the newest spherical of rumors concerning the filmmakers that Amazon has courted for pitches are to be believed, nicely, maybe we had been a bit too hasty to hurry to judgment. In line with insider Matthew Belloni’s newest Puck e-newsletter, a brand new batch of A-list administrators have been thrown into the combination … and their collective physique of labor suggests a way more refreshing method than we would’ve imagined. Whereas addressing arguably probably the most urgent query on the earth of blockbusters in the mean time, Belloni revealed that “conferences are taking place proper now” to resolve which director will take the reins on arguably probably the most scrutinized Bond movie since “On line casino Royale” in 2006. As thrilling as that’s, it is the names of these allegedly concerned that ought to increase the hopes of many a Bond fan.
Puck has the news on the next filmmakers who’ve both already pitched or are nearly to: Edward Berger (identified for 2022’s “All Quiet on the Western Entrance” remake and, most lately, the Oscar-winning “Conclave”), “Dune” director Denis Villeneuve, fan-favorite Edgar Wright, Jonathan Nolan (of “Westworld” fame), and, maybe most unexpectedly of all, “Wonka” and “Paddington” brainchild Paul King. In the meantime, the heavily-speculated Alfonso Cuarón appears to have pulled out of the working, sadly.
Which administrators are the frontrunners for the subsequent James Bond film?
So, what do all these names above have in frequent? Surprisingly, every one has their very own distinctive artistic voices and auteur credibility. Might the way forward for Bond underneath Amazon be brighter than we thought? Will the newly-hired management of producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman to shepherd this new period of the franchise truly give approach to extra artistic freedom than diehard followers could have anticipated? All of those questions will not be answered till the studio truly decides on an official director, however the mere incontrovertible fact that such daring and uncompromising artists are even within the working in any respect bodes nicely.
Of all of the names, followers will seemingly gravitate in the direction of the concept of Denis Villeneuve or Edgar Wright lastly getting their swing at such a revered franchise. Nonetheless, what’s arguably extra fascinating is the concept of Jonathan Nolan (although many audiences have dreamed about his brother Christopher on the wheel, and for good cause) or Edward Berger getting a shot, as they’ve actually confirmed their blockbuster bona fides through the years. The wildcard, for those who ask me, may very well be Paul King. Little or no in his filmography would counsel a Bond movie in his future (until you depend the cracker-jack espionage hijinks in “Paddington,” I guess), however that is exactly what makes him such an out-of-left-field proposition. Once more, hopefully Amazon is prepared to look outdoors the field and permit the strongest pitch to win — irrespective of the place it occurs to return from.
Puck goes on to drop one other intriguing nugget concerning the conferences at the moment happening over at Amazon (and, apparently, in Heyman’s personal London residence). The general technique for the subsequent film seems to be taking a relatively deliberate method. As Belloni places it, “The brand new Amazon mind belief — Heyman, Pascal, and high executives Mike Hopkins and Courtenay Valenti — plan to set the director this summer time, then get the script written, then solid the subsequent Bond.” Ought to that pan out, then it may very well be fairly some time earlier than we truly get information on the highest burning query amongst most followers: Which (presumably) younger actor can be chosen to succeed Daniel Craig as our latest agent with a license to kill? Keep tuned to /Movie for any and all updates.
