After an almost three-year wait, James Bond fans could finally hear an eagerly-anticipated update on the future of the franchise before the end of the year.
Since Daniel Craig’s iteration of the beloved British agent, 007, came to a tragic end in 2021’s No Time To Die, there has been no end to the speculation on who his replacement will be – and when we can expect the next installment.
But as time dwindles on with hardly a peep many have been questioning how long the wait is going to be.
So far the biggest gap in the franchise comes in at six years between Spectre and No Time To Die but even if production for the upcoming movie started tomorrow, fans would be looking at maybe another two-year wait – giving the current record a run for its money.
Part of the ongoing delay has been attributed to Amazon buying half of the rights to the Bond franchise for $8.5billion (£6.4billion), as industry insiders told the Times.
What’s more, the publication reports that Barbara Broccoli and half-brother Michael G Wilson from Eon Productions – who have creative control – have no script, no director and no actor in place to take up Daniel’s mantle.
‘The Bond franchise is like a plot of land and Amazon are building the utilities. Casting is like hanging the curtains.’ Ajay Chowdhury, entertainment lawyer and ex-president of the James Bond International Fan Club told the Times.
He added that the producing partners have ‘a concept and a plan to reinvent the franchise’ and may even make an announcement in November as they receive the Irving G Thalberg award.
Although he believes a new director may have already been appointed.
There have been several names thrown around for potential Bond candidates including Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Theo James, Rege Jean-Page and even breakout star Leo Woodall. Or how about Jonathan Bailey or Cillian Murphy or Henry Cavill? The list goes on…
As for the direction of the franchise, based on Ian Fleming’s work, it’s all still to play for 25 films and six decades later.
Barbara and Michael have previously shared hopes to find a younger actor who can do multiple films and 10-15 years much like their predecessors.
One person who has ruled themselves out of the running is Hollywood star Vinnie Jones, as he told Metro.co.uk.
‘I can’t do it. I can’t f**king tie a tie or a dickie bow so that’d be me out the window.
‘I’d have to get one of those pre-stick-on ones. A clip on tie. I did get best dressed man in 2002 though. I think I missed the boat. Put a bit of timber on since then,’ he said.
As for Daniel, he has firmly moved on from the role – most recently starring in Luca Guadagnino’s Queer which celebrated it’s premiere at Venice Film Festival.
During the press conference, questions inevitably came back to his most famous role, however, which led to some exasperation from the actor.
Metro.co.uk has reached out to Eon Productions for comment.
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