With the end of Daniel Craig's run as the iconic British spy James Bond marked by the release of No Time to Die on October 8, 2021, fans have been left to ponder who will take up the mantle next. Speculation around the casting continues to swirl, especially concerning potential shifts away from the familiar white, straight, British male portrayal established by Craig and his predecessors.
A recent report from the Wall Street Journal sheds light on the situation, detailing the perspectives of franchise steward Barbara Broccoli. Notably, it states, "Broccoli has told friends she doesn’t have any qualms with casting a nonwhite or gay actor, but does believe Bond should always be played by a man, and should always be played by a Brit." Broccoli, the daughter of franchise founder Albert "Cubby" Broccoli, holds significant authority over the future direction of the Bond series.
The report also raises intriguing questions about the identities of Bond's previous actors. Of the six men labeled as "official" Bond actors—Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and Craig—only Moore and Craig were born as Englishmen. Connery proudly identified as Scottish, Dalton was Welsh, Brosnan was Irish, and Lazenby hails from Australia, albeit he became predominantly known as Bond through his roles in the UK.
While Broccoli's views showcase some openness to casting diversity, there appears to be significant friction behind the scenes. Reports indicate Eon Productions and Amazon Studios are currently at loggerheads, delaying any potential progress on what has been dubbed Bond 26. According to sources, Broccoli has even expressed her frustration, reportedly saying, "These people are fucking idiots" concerning the team at Amazon. This contentious relationship has placed the next Bond film on hold, with no current script or story development underway.
The rift between the two parties can be largely attributed to Amazon's recent acquisition of MGM, which effectively gave them half of the Bond film rights as of three years ago, yet no films or updates have since materialized. The Wall Street Journal highlights the precarious state of negotiations, with Broccoli finding it increasingly difficult to collaborate with Amazon's current team, especially after losing veteran studio heads who had previously established rapport with her.
Michael G. Wilson, Broccoli’s half-brother and business partner at Eon Productions, reportedly had difficulties connecting with the right executives at Amazon, having only been able to arrange meetings with low-level staff rather than higher-ranking decision-makers. The backing for modernization echoed by Wilson's son, Gregg, reflects the generational shift within the production team, bringing new ideas to the age-old franchise. While there is some desire for changing the traditional portrayal of Bond, Broccoli's resolute stance complicates this evolution.
The stakes for the Bond franchise have never been higher, particularly as streaming competition heats up and studios strive to maximize revenue via their extensive libraries. Amazon has acknowledged the relevance of the Bond brand, yet their view of Bond as merely 'content'—a term Broccoli detests—suggests differing priorities between the streaming giant and the Eon team.
Despite these hurdles, there is still hope for Bond's next chapter. Fans remain eager to see who will embody the character next, and whether he will carry the legacy forward with fresh perspectives or stick to the traditional elements deeply woven within the franchise's fabric. The unique combination of challenge and anticipation makes the prospect of choosing the next Bond particularly exciting.
With no current Bond film actively being produced, viewers may need to brace themselves for additional waiting. Until such time, streaming services like Prime Video offer the entire collection of the previous 25 films, allowing fans to relive the iconic performances of Bond actors past.
The struggle between modern perspectives and traditional expectations will undoubtedly feature heavily as the world watches to see how the James Bond franchise evolves. All eyes will be glued to future announcements, eagerly waiting for the conclusion of this standoff, and for the reveal of the next figure ready to step out of the shadows as 007.
