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 like. 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 following section 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 type, although the simple 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 kinds of IP-friendly concepts to make shareholders very completely satisfied.
But when the most recent spherical of rumors relating to 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 keeping 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 strategy than we’d’ve imagined. Whereas addressing arguably essentially the most urgent query on the planet of blockbusters in the mean time, Belloni revealed that “conferences are taking place proper now” to determine which director will take the reins on arguably essentially 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 enhance the hopes of many a Bond fan.
Puck has the inside track 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 not too long ago, 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 following James Bond film?
So, what do all these names above have in widespread? Surprisingly, every one has their very own distinctive artistic voices and auteur credibility. May the way forward for Bond beneath 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 really give technique to extra artistic freedom than diehard followers might have anticipated? All of those questions will not be answered till the studio really decides on an official director, however the mere indisputable fact that such daring and uncompromising artists are even within the working in any respect bodes nicely.
Of all of the names, followers will doubtless gravitate in the direction of the thought of Denis Villeneuve or Edgar Wright lastly getting their swing at such a revered franchise. Nonetheless, what’s arguably extra fascinating is the thought 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 definitely confirmed their blockbuster bona fides over time. The wildcard, should you ask me, might be Paul King. Little or no in his filmography would recommend a Bond movie in his future (except you rely 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 keen to look outdoors the field and permit the strongest pitch to win — regardless 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 house). The general technique for the following film seems to be taking a reasonably deliberate strategy. 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 season, then get the script written, then forged the following Bond.” Ought to that pan out, then it might be fairly some time earlier than we really get information on the highest burning query amongst most followers: Which (presumably) younger actor shall be chosen to succeed Daniel Craig as our latest agent with a license to kill? Keep tuned to /Movie for any and all updates.
