Summary
- Next James Bond movie stalled, no director or script yet.
- Shooting at least a year away, casting next 007 is main concern.
- Amazon’s control might lead to further delays, casting director retired.
The James Bond franchise is one of the most globally beloved in cinematic history, having created some of the most breathtaking spy thrillers that have ever been seen. The classic British spy is one of the most iconic characters of all time, which is why frustration is starting to boil over from fans that nobody has been cast in the lead role for future movies.
Considering Daniel Craig announced his retirement from the role of 007 back in 2021, most people thought a new Bond would have been confirmed by now. However, the lack of a confirmed name, coupled with brand new news about the James Bond franchise, is painting a worrying picture for any future movies.
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James Bond Is Still Over A Year Away From Shooting
According to a report from Variety, the progress of the next James Bond movie has effectively stalled. There’s no director, no story, and no script for the next installment within the franchise. On top of that, little progress has been made in finding the next person to take on the role of 007, which is the biggest hurdle that needs to be crossed due to the importance of the character. There has been no shortage of actors linked with taking on the role of James Bond, with plenty of dream fan casting taking place online.
The lack of development in creating the next movie is a concern because of how long it takes for movies to go from development to being on the big screen. The next James Bond movie is said to be at least a year away from shooting, which means it would be even longer before audiences could enjoy the next James Bond film. That’s something that is worrying people as fans want to see the franchise back sooner rather than later. Further delays on this could cause big problems as many of the actors who could be perfect for the role now might be tied up to other films, which would only slow down the situation even more.
Amazon Is Now In Control Of James Bond
It was recently announced that Amazon MGM Studios has taken sole creative control of the James Bond IP moving forward. This is a significant shift that could delay the next movie’s release even further. Amazon could change things and rush through to make the most of the situation, especially since the entire franchise is available on Amazon Prime. However, the additional changes are more likely to push the movie further back, which is ultimately problematic for the future of the franchise.
On top of that, it was confirmed this week that long-time casting director Debbie McWilliams has retired from her role. She has cast the last 13 James Bond movies from For Your Eyes Only in 1981 all the way up until No Time to Die. That has led to her being responsible for casting half of the Bond stars, with the likes of Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig being brought into the role under her leadership. This is obviously going to provide another big shake-up as someone new will have to be trusted in the role to try and find the next Bond, which isn’t an easy role to take on.
James Bond’s Momentum Has Been Lost Due To The Lengthy Wait
Coming out of the last James Bond movie, No Time to Die, there was tons of hype surrounding this franchise. The movie did an amazing job of wrapping up Craig’s time in the role, creating a film that serviced the long-term fans while ensuring it was still compelling to first-time viewers. No Time to Die grossed over $774 million worldwide and was the fourth-highest-grossing film of 2021, showcasing how popular it was with moviegoers at that time. Add in the buzz surrounding Craig leaving the role, and there was an opportunity to strike while it was hot. While everyone knew it would take a few years before another James Bond movie, most fans presumed that the next 007 would at least have been cast four years later.
Even though the next James Bond will obviously be the start of a new chapter that will likely not even reference Craig’s movies, just following on from the momentum at a faster pace would’ve been the right move to make. Instead, that has all faded away, and the talk about who the next Bond might be isn’t so positive, as it has become annoying. The fact that the next James Bond is now confirmed to be at least a year away from shooting starting is a concern for the franchise as a whole. While it’s a beloved franchise that will always connect with an audience, the constant delays and waiting period will be turning some people off.