Amazon/MGM takes control of 007, James Bond casting underway

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  • Asp9mmAsp9mm Over the Hills and Far Away.Posts: 7,603MI6 Agent
    edited February 2025

    Just in. Kathleen Kennedy has been let go by Lucasfilm and will now be heading up Amazon MGM content creation from 2026. Russell T Davis to write the screenplay. Higgins as costume designer.

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  • Number24Number24 NorwayPosts: 23,706MI6 Agent
    edited February 2025

    Another sleepless night ..... 😟

  • Sir MilesSir Miles The Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 30,891Chief of Staff
  • CoolHandBondCoolHandBond Mactan IslandPosts: 9,343MI6 Agent

    What amazes me is that everyone on here was moaning about lack of progress under Eon, and now that we actually are going to get progress very soon, everyone is now moaning about Amazon being in charge. Just goes to show that you can’t please most people whatever happens.

    My forecast: It will be a fantastic movie, harking back to the great days of the 60’s (although set in modern times).

    Yeah, well, sometimes nothin' can be a real cool hand.
  • emtiememtiem SurreyPosts: 6,828MI6 Agent

    I saw that somewhere else where someone was moaning that they didn't like NTTD, and then suggested that Amazon could do a film where an old retired Bond, maybe Pierce or Tim, gets called back for one last job and then maybe it ends in a sort of Logan fashion... 🤪

  • Asp9mmAsp9mm Over the Hills and Far Away.Posts: 7,603MI6 Agent
    edited February 2025

    That’s because they wanted progress from EON. Not progress from someone else. The fact that they’re moaning about progress from someone else tells you something more than they’re idiots that like to moan. It’s very easy to mock people superficially with a meme or snarky comment. Look deeper. Everywhere on social media it’s not considered by many to be good news. Even the most optimistic are holding judgment. The fact is that you can please most people. And EON have done a hell of a job doing just that for 60 years.

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  • IcePakIcePak Perth, Western AustraliaPosts: 201MI6 Agent
    1. CR 2. OHMSS 3. GE 4. TLD 5. OP 6. FRwL 7. FYEO
    8. SF 9. NTTD 10. AVtaK 11. TMwtGG 12. LtK 13. TSWLM 14. TND
    15. GF 16. MR 17. YOLT 18. LaLD 19. SP 20. DAD 21. TWiNE
    22. DN 23. TB 24. QoS 25. DaF
  • IcePakIcePak Perth, Western AustraliaPosts: 201MI6 Agent

    I'd be up or seeing Dalton and /or Brosnan return for a film or two. Connery came back twice (three times if you count the FRWL videogame), so it does have precedence, especially if Amazon screw up their first entry and they need to get the series back on track like EON did with Connery after the initial poor reception of Majesty's.

    Just to be clear, I'm not saying they should. I just like the idea of Dalton and Brosnan having more Bond films under their belt, but they're probably beyond being believable at this stage.

    1. CR 2. OHMSS 3. GE 4. TLD 5. OP 6. FRwL 7. FYEO
    8. SF 9. NTTD 10. AVtaK 11. TMwtGG 12. LtK 13. TSWLM 14. TND
    15. GF 16. MR 17. YOLT 18. LaLD 19. SP 20. DAD 21. TWiNE
    22. DN 23. TB 24. QoS 25. DaF
  • kristopherm3kristopherm3 Posts: 240MI6 Agent

    Unfortunately, I don't think Amazon would consider Dalton marketable enough for a reprise. I also think he's simply too old, even for an explicitly 'Old Bond' tale. Brosnan however... he just might get away with it.

  • BondClothingBondClothing Posts: 538MI6 Agent

    Does anybody think we'll get a press conference or additional information from Barbara Broccoli, Michael G Wilson and Amazon sometime soon?

    Lifestyle guide to the products and locations featured in the James Bond films.
  • Sir MilesSir Miles The Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 30,891Chief of Staff

    I understand your point…but maybe Eon were holding out because, in the reported words of BB, Amazon are fu**ing idiots…and, I for one, was happy with that.

    YNWA 97
  • BondClothingBondClothing Posts: 538MI6 Agent

    But in that context, it doesn't give me a lot of confidence she'd sell to people she says are bleeping idiots, what changed? Did she get some guarantees?

    Lifestyle guide to the products and locations featured in the James Bond films.
  • CoolHandBondCoolHandBond Mactan IslandPosts: 9,343MI6 Agent

    Until Amazon release information there’s no point moaning about what might happen. As I said before, if Amazon are as faithful to Bond as they have been with Reacher then I will be very happy. However if they cast Dwayne Johnson as Felix Leiter, I won’t be!

    Yeah, well, sometimes nothin' can be a real cool hand.
  • Sir MilesSir Miles The Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 30,891Chief of Staff

    As explained above…they’ve been looking for a way out for a few years…and they haven’t actually sold anything…and if the series tanks…?…not my problem 🤗

    I’m guessing they got some money to fund their other projects…

    YNWA 97
  • BondClothingBondClothing Posts: 538MI6 Agent

    Gotcha, thanks for the reply, I'm just a bit bent out of shape over it, it seems so sudden and not something I would've expected despite all the talk. sigh Onwards and Upwards I suppose. 🙂

    Lifestyle guide to the products and locations featured in the James Bond films.
  • IcePakIcePak Perth, Western AustraliaPosts: 201MI6 Agent

    Listening to some past interviews with Barbara and Michael and other members of the crew has filled me with an overwhelming sense of melancholy. It's obvious they, and especially Cubby, had a huge passion for making Bond films as good as they could be and were interested in pursuing the best in the people working on the films and what ended up on screen. Sure, Bond was never going to be high art, but it was great entertainment, which is equally valid as art. And so this deal with Amazon feels like a betrayal of that mentality. Don't get me wrong - I don't hate Barbara of Michael for making this decision - I just hope they willingly did this for the reasons they stated and that they weren't forced into giving it up by the executives at Amazon. So it's just very sad to see everything they worked for be brought up by an almost faceless corporation, who, in the world of James Bond, are the real villains.

    I hope Amazon are able to find people who are just as passionate about the series as the Broccolis, who we should celebrate for everything they've done for the series over the last six or so decades.

    1. CR 2. OHMSS 3. GE 4. TLD 5. OP 6. FRwL 7. FYEO
    8. SF 9. NTTD 10. AVtaK 11. TMwtGG 12. LtK 13. TSWLM 14. TND
    15. GF 16. MR 17. YOLT 18. LaLD 19. SP 20. DAD 21. TWiNE
    22. DN 23. TB 24. QoS 25. DaF
  • DavidJonesDavidJones BermondseyPosts: 285MI6 Agent


    No. Barbara and Michael have said all they intend to say. Amazon is going to save any press conference for when they have something to present to the world.

  • DavidJonesDavidJones BermondseyPosts: 285MI6 Agent
    edited February 2025


    I heard a similar thing from a friend who is a teacher at a secondary school. None of the teenagers there even knew about Bond.

    This is what I've been saying for years: for adults, time moves quickly, so a few years of no films might not seem much to Barbara. Yet more and more young people coming up all the time. There's an old marketing adage: "Get them while they're young and they'll stay with you for life."

    If they don't release a film now, there will be no one to buy a ticket for Bond 43.

  • SeanIsTheOnlyOneSeanIsTheOnlyOne Posts: 723MI6 Agent

    If there are spinoff 'contents', do you guys think we'll get at least one period TV show featuring Ian Fleming's James Bond?

    I desperately hope so. I mean, wouldn't it be incredibly frustrating to get many series about characters like Tanner, Moneypenny, Q, Felix...but nothing about the main character from the source material while it's been the ultimate fantasy of many fans for years and it finally becomes possible?

  • Sir MilesSir Miles The Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 30,891Chief of Staff

    Then you are a man of great taste and intellect 😁

    YNWA 97
  • Bond44Bond44 Vauxhall CrossPosts: 1,590MI6 Agent
    edited February 2025

    Reflections on Bond: A Fan’s Perspective


    Now that I’ve had time to reflect, I’ve found myself asking: what is it that truly drew me to the Bond franchise?


    I’ve always loved the Connery films (and Moore’s, though they did become a bit outlandish towards the end). There’s a deep sense of nostalgia attached to them—memories of Christmases past, sitting with family, watching Bond’s adventures unfold. They’ve always felt homely, familiar, and effortlessly entertaining, providing that perfect dose of escapism we all need from time to time.


    Dalton and Lazenby’s outings never quite resonated with me in the same way, though I’ve recently found myself warming to On Her Majesty’s Secret Service far more than I ever expected—it really is a strong plot.


    But it’s Daniel Craig’s Bond that I identify with the most. He’s the Bond of my time. We’re of a similar age, and his arrival coincided with a period when I, like Bond, was reinventing myself. Casino Royale was the perfect way to relaunch the character—it was a fresh start, rooted in the first book’s gripping storyline. Craig’s Bond introduced me to places and brands I never knew existed—some of which only exist today because of their association with the franchise. But that era has come to a close some years ago and so a new one will begin. That said, I did admire Brosnan’s style, and it was he (or perhaps Lindy Hemming) who first sparked my love for collecting Bond Omegas back in the ’90s. Back then, in my line of work, you either wore an Omega SMP or a Rolex thanks to Bond.


    Beyond the films, the Craig era also introduced me to fan communities like this one. I came to love, as Cubby Broccoli put it, “the circus arriving”—those exciting years of speculation, location scouting, and brand discoveries as each snippet of filming was revealed. I’ve enjoyed watching how these moments stir reactions among us fans, sparking discussions, debates, and deep dives into every detail. Then, of course, comes the thrill of seeing it all come together on screen—sometimes more than once.


    What I’ve valued most, though, is how this journey has connected me with like-minded people. Over the years, we’ve shared insights, helped each other, and argued in equal measure. But at the heart of it all, Bond unites us—whether online, at gatherings, or at special events. Meeting fellow fans in person often feels like reconnecting with old friends, even if we’ve never met before. We share a common passion and, of course, a strong opinion or two. Bond has even broadened my horizons in unexpected ways—introducing me to classical music (thank you, Q the Music!), something I never would have imagined appreciating decades ago.


    Looking to the Future


    As for what’s next, I don’t see much changing within the fandom. There will always be heated debates, speculation over announcements, and discussions about filming—just as there always have been. This very thread is proof of that, even bringing some fans out of AJB007 retirement to comment (might I say including myself - its been a while but as soon as I heard the news this was the first place I came too as did we all - I wonder why).


    My only request? Keep James Bond a British Gentleman (edited for Barbel) it is after all how Flemming designed him to be (though granted played by a Scotsman, Englishman, Irishman and an Australian). Make him the man every man wants to be and every woman just wants. Take me to places that captivate me, whether through sheer spectacle or undiscovered wonders. Dress him stylishly, equip him well, and give us an actor we can warm to (history suggests it takes at least three films for a Bond to truly settle in). Surround him with a supporting cast and a villain worthy of his presence. Most importantly, take me on a journey so exhilarating that time flies by—and leave me eager for the next installment when the credits roll and those three iconic words appear: Bond will return. Just don’t leave us waiting too long.


    As for spin-offs, I understand the need for profitability—there’s a vast investment behind these films, and the franchise must evolve. But while they may appeal to the next generation, they’re not for me. All I ask is that Bond himself remains undiluted—true to his essence and everything he stands for.


    For my part, I promise to keep an open mind. I wasn’t one of the Blonde Bond critics, though I’ll admit it raised an eyebrow at first. But after Casino Royale, I was more than a convert—that so-called unpopular decision didn’t turn out too badly in the end. If there’s one lesson I took from that, it’s this: always keep an open mind.


    I wish them the best of luck. The winning formula is there—use it wisely, and we’ll all be along for the ride. Misuse it, and while the money will roll in for a time, the well will run dry sooner rather than later.

    Cheers 😎

    My name is Bond, Basildon Bond - I have letters after my name!
  • emtiememtiem SurreyPosts: 6,828MI6 Agent

    You've said the magic words 'Keep James Bond an Englishman' - expect a Barbel reply incoming in 3.... 2... 1..... 😅

  • IcePakIcePak Perth, Western AustraliaPosts: 201MI6 Agent
    1. CR 2. OHMSS 3. GE 4. TLD 5. OP 6. FRwL 7. FYEO
    8. SF 9. NTTD 10. AVtaK 11. TMwtGG 12. LtK 13. TSWLM 14. TND
    15. GF 16. MR 17. YOLT 18. LaLD 19. SP 20. DAD 21. TWiNE
    22. DN 23. TB 24. QoS 25. DaF
  • BarbelBarbel ScotlandPosts: 41,853Chief of Staff

    I was asleep, I'm only having my first coffee right now, but thank you @emtiem it's nice to know you care. 🥰

    Anyway, I'll let that one go cos the rest of @Bond44's post was so good. It's been really nice to see old faces back.

  • Bond44Bond44 Vauxhall CrossPosts: 1,590MI6 Agent

    Probably—but hey, this is AJB, right? I wouldn’t expect anything less. And don’t worry, I came prepared—I had to dust off my armour-plated underpants before coming back here!

    That said, I think Amazon needs to take a long, hard look at what they’ve inherited and truly understand the responsibility that now rests in their hands. EON has safeguarded Bond for decades, and now it’s Amazon’s turn to prove they can do the same.

    When Jeff Bezos asks, “Who do you want to be the next Bond?” for the sake of social media engagement, it just shows he doesn’t get it. It’s not about fan polls or clicks—it’s about delivering. That’s the responsibility they now carry.

    The real question isn’t who should be Bond—it’s who and what Bond actually is. Once they answer that, they’ll know how to find the right man for the role. Then, all that’s left is to craft his first mission—and if they get it right, we, the fans, will follow.

    Cheers 😎

    My name is Bond, Basildon Bond - I have letters after my name!
  • emtiememtiem SurreyPosts: 6,828MI6 Agent

    Of course! Always happy to help defend the honour of Scotland! 😁

    Agreed though, great post Bond44.

  • Bond44Bond44 Vauxhall CrossPosts: 1,590MI6 Agent
    edited February 2025

    Barbel, More than happy to edit my comment from Englishman to British Gentlemen (it was a late night and he has been played by a Scotsman, Englishman, Irishman and Australian) ). It is a fair point that Bond was of Scottish ancestry and the first true Bond (in my eyes) Connery was of course a Scotsman

    I have no wish to upset fellow AJBers from across the borders in any direction of the compass 😀

    My name is Bond, Basildon Bond - I have letters after my name!
  • BarbelBarbel ScotlandPosts: 41,853Chief of Staff

    😊 Cheers, Bond44.

  • Number24Number24 NorwayPosts: 23,706MI6 Agent

    Excellent post, Bond44!

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