The buzz surrounding the future of James Bond has intensified since Amazon took full creative control of the iconic franchise. The identity of the next actor to embody the suave spy remains a mystery, yet recent reports shed light on what to expect. According to the Mail on Sunday, an internal memo from Amazon confirms that James Bond will continue to be a man and will either be British or hail from the Commonwealth, effectively ruling out actors like Ryan Gosling. This news is likely to resonate well with fans, including Irish actor Pierce Brosnan, who portrayed Bond in films from 1995 to 2002. Brosnan expressed to The Telegraph that Bond's British nationality is non-negotiable.
The Next James Bonds Who Never Played 007
26 Images
With the door open for an actor from the Commonwealth, Australian star Chris Hemsworth becomes a notable contender. Hemsworth, known for his roles in Thor and Extraction, has previously voiced his interest in taking on the role of 007. In a 2019 interview with Balance magazine, he reflected on his performance as British Formula One driver James Hunt in Rush, stating, “When we were shooting Rush someone had said that and I thought, ‘Cool, if this is my audition tape, then great.’ I don’t think you’ll ever meet anyone who doesn’t want to have a crack at James Bond. I’d love to do it.” Hemsworth emphasized the organic nature of the casting process, leaving it to the Bond community, producer Barbara Broccoli, and the entire team to make the final decision. His comments have resurfaced amid speculation following the Mail on Sunday's report, with the Today Show Australia confidently stating, "It's a surety. He is in."
Amidst the excitement, there's also concern about the franchise's direction under Amazon's stewardship, especially after long-term producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson stepped back. Speculation about a potential Bond TV series has been rife, but Variety assures that a new Bond film remains the "top priority." Amazon is reportedly seeking a producer akin to David Heyman, known for his work on the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts series, to bring a cohesive vision to the franchise. Meanwhile, acclaimed director Christopher Nolan expressed interest in directing a Bond film post-Tenet, but was turned down by Broccoli, who insisted on maintaining control over the final cut. Nolan went on to direct the blockbuster Oppenheimer, which garnered significant acclaim and box office success.
Amazon's acquisition of Bond has not been universally welcomed. When asked in a Reddit AMA if he'd be interested in directing a Bond film, the director of Longlegs and The Monkey gave a definitive "No, because f**k Jeff Bezos."
Fans are eager to learn who will next don the tuxedo. Names like Tom Hardy, Idris Elba, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson have been floated, with Henry Cavill emerging as the fan-favorite. Variety reports that Amazon cannot proceed with casting until the Broccoli-Wilson deal is finalized, expected later this year. The Wall Street Journal described the situation as an "ugly" stalemate, with Bond's future "on pause" due to the behind-the-scenes tension between the Broccoli family and Amazon, who acquired the rights after purchasing Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer for $8.45 billion in 2021. Neither Amazon nor Eon have issued a comment on the ongoing situation.
