Amazon Can Finally Reverse James Bond’s Biggest Misstep

Amazon taking full creative control of James Bond has left fans worried about the future of their favorite British spy. However, this could be an opportunity for a fresh start, and perhaps a chance to revisit and undo a rather controversial snub from a few years ago.

A week ago, Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, who run EON Productions – the company behind all the James Bond movies – handed over the keys to Amazon MGM in a groundbreaking deal. The announcement came as a shock to many, as the family had been overseeing the 007 franchise for more than 60 years. During this time, despite EON’s best intentions for the iconic character, some of their decisions were a little too rigid, which prevented the franchise from reaching its full potential.

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Will Amazon Let Christopher Nolan Direct James Bond?

EON Previously Denied Him Final Cut Rights

Amazon acquiring James Bond means they could finally fix one of the franchise’s worst creative decisions: not letting Christopher Nolan make a Bond film. The Interstellar director has never shied away from expressing his love for 007 and his desire to make a movie with the timeless British character created by Ian Fleming. It’s hard to imagine someone like Nolan, one of the best directors working today, being denied final cut rights to his film. But that’s reportedly what happened between him and EON, ultimately leading to the project being turned down.

According to a Variety report, Barbara Broccoli made it clear that no director would have final cut while she was in charge of the James Bond IP. In 2021, Nolan had just finished Tenet, which itself felt a lot like a time-bending dress rehearsal for a James Bond movie. Despite Nolan being the perfect choice for the job, EON refused to make an exception to their final cut rule. The director immediately switched routes and went on to make Oppenheimer, which grossed almost a billion dollars and won seven Academy Awards, rubbing salt in James Bond’s wounds.

Bond 26 Needs A Fresh Start Now

Amazon And Nolan Could Make It Happen

Now, the changing of 007’s old guard is complete, and Amazon must be willing to explore new terrain. Yet, most of the skepticism surrounding the streaming giant exists for a reason. Bond fans fear that they might milk too much content from the IP and strip the character of its authenticity. However, they can avoid this entirely by hiring someone like Christopher Nolan, who lives and breathes James Bond. With new decision-makers at the helm, The Dark Knight director might just be open to renegotiating and reviving his dropped project.

It’s not just behind-the-scenes drama that favors a James Bond reset. The franchise’s upcoming film – codenamed Bond 26 by fans – is in search of a new actor to take on the role, along with an entirely different narrative. Daniel Craig’s final outing as the British Secret Service agent in No Time to Die (2021) ended with his character sacrificing himself. With a new face, a fresh storyline, a different director, and new creative leadership, change is inevitable. Bringing in a massive name like Nolan would restore confidence in the franchise.

Did EON Also Snub Steven Spielberg?

Amazon Must Not Repeat The Past

Surprisingly, Christopher Nolan might not be the James Bond franchise’s biggest directorial snub of all time. That honor could go to Steven Spielberg, who was turned down by Barbara Broccoli’s father, Albert Broccoli. The Jurassic Park director wanted to make a Bond film after Close Encounters of the Third Kind, but the late EON head reportedly denied him, citing that the now-legendary filmmaker was “too inexperienced” at the time.

Decades later, it’s likely too late for 78-year-old Spielberg, who may have lost interest. But the time is still ripe for Nolan. Not letting his James Bond expertise go to waste would be Amazon’s best move yet. Nolan denied rumors of this project, and while speaking on the Happy Sad Confused podcast in 2023, he subtly hinted at not being granted complete final cut rights.

You wouldn’t want to take on a film not fully committed to what you bring to the table creatively. So as a writer, casting, everything, it’s a full package. You’d have to be really needed, you’d have to be really wanted in terms of bringing the totality of what you bring to a character. Otherwise, I’m very happy to be first in line to see whatever they do.

Why Christopher Nolan Should Direct Bond 26

Practical Effects, Gadgets, And A New 007

A Christopher Nolan-directed James Bond movie would be a dream come true for fans of both the director and 007. The filmmaker is known for prioritizing practical effects over CGI wherever possible. This would mean James Bond action sequences and set pieces like never seen before. Bond’s gadgets would also receive a major upgrade, much like Bruce Wayne’s cutting-edge but realistic tech armory from The Dark Knight trilogy.

Christopher Nolan And Henry Cavill For Bond?

Apart from Nolan, there’s another persistent fan request that Amazon needs to consider: Henry Cavill as the new James Bond. The Man of Steel actor was arguably born for this role, and his casting would fit perfectly with the fresh reset at hand. Nolan’s potential presence could also bring in some of the director’s frequent collaborators. Who would say no to Cillian Murphy as a Bond villain, after all? Perhaps EON would have, but hopefully not Amazon.

The Timing Might Be Perfect After The Odyssey

Christopher Nolan is currently busy shooting The Odyssey, starring Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Zendaya, and others. With the film scheduled for release on July 17, 2026, the timing would be perfect for Amazon to sign Nolan once he’s finished with his first-ever fantasy epic adaptation. Moreover, without a guiding creative force like Nolan, Amazon might just prove its naysayers right, and end up producing uninspired and inauthentic James Bond reboots or spinoffs.