Bezos. Jeff Bezos. The billionaire Amazon founder could have an enormous say in who will get forged in one of many movie world’s most iconic roles: Bond. James Bond. And followers have the chance to champion their favourite actors and attempt to seize Bezos’ consideration.
Bezos kicked off a flurry of exercise amongst Bond aficionados by posting a easy query to social media on Thursday: “Who’d you choose as the following Bond?” Bezos included a screenshot of a Reuters article highlighting the information that the Bond franchise’s long-time producers have handed inventive management of the motion movies to Amazon.
Henry Cavill as James Bond?
From Russia With Two-Day Supply? Henry Cavill performed Superman within the 2013 film Man of Metal. He has a wealth of expertise in motion roles.
If Bezos truly reads the Instagram feedback, then he’ll know who most of the people is pulling for to take over as 007. A fast survey of the responses reveals one title specifically popping up repeatedly. Henry Cavill could have performed the American superhero Superman, however he is very British. “I feel the world has gone mad if Henry Cavill is not supplied this function,” mentioned one commenter.
Learn extra: Each James Bond Film Ranked — the Finest and Worst of 007
British actor Idris Elba additionally received a couple of mentions, although when requested again in 2018, he mentioned he would not be the following Bond. Possibly he’ll change his thoughts.
Elba is the non-public favourite of Bond skilled Colin Burnett, a movie and media research professor on the College of Wisconsin-Madison. Burnett, nonetheless, fears Elba has “aged out” of the function. “I feel it is time from a Black Bond,” Burnett tells CNET. “Blockbuster motion pictures with Black stars are actually world hits, together with in East Asia, which is a big marketplace for Bond.”
Cavill is perhaps a preferred selection, however some followers are pondering outdoors the field. There was at the very least one vote for American comic Kevin Hart. Whoopi Goldberg, identified for her work on Star Trek and as a co-host of The View, obtained a shoutout as nicely.
Amazon did not instantly reply to a request for touch upon Bezos’ degree of involvement with inventive or casting selections for the franchise.
Amazon takes inventive management of James Bond
No Prime to Die? Daniel Craig was the newest James Bond, however he stepped down from the function in 2021.
Amazon closed a multibillion-dollar deal to purchase MGM Studios in 2022 and shaped Amazon MGM Studios. MGM has been the house of the Bond sequence, with each Bond film now streaming on Amazon’s Prime Video — for an additional charge of round $4 to lease every film, or about $15 to purchase, relying on the age of the film.
Whereas the Bond fim franchise is an enormous enterprise, it is also been a household enterprise underneath the management of producers Michael Wilson and Barbara Broccoli.
“With my 007 profession spanning practically 60 unbelievable years, I’m stepping again from producing the James Bond movies to give attention to artwork and charitable initiatives,” mentioned Wilson in an Amazon assertion on Feb. 20. “Due to this fact, Barbara and I agree, it’s time for our trusted accomplice, Amazon MGM Studios, to steer James Bond into the longer term.”
Learn extra: Being James Bond: How 007 Motion pictures Bought Me Into Intelligence Work
The long-time producers and Amazon MGM will stay co-owners of the franchise. “Because the MGM acquisition, Amazon has held rights to distribute all the James Bond movies, and on account of this transaction can have inventive management over future productions,” Amazon mentioned. That is why Bezos’ Instagram put up carries some weight.
“The Bond franchise is likely one of the most resilient within the historical past of the enterprise. It has needed to be. It is had many house owners over time,” says Burnett. Burnett notes the franchise’s future could possibly be sophisticated, particularly if Amazon explores spin-off sequence very similar to Disney has performed with Star Wars. He expects Amazon to keep up a “mothership” theatrical sequence, however can envision streaming sequence like a Moneypenny spinoff or a revival of the James Bond Jr. animated present.
Although well-known on movie, the suave superspy debuted in a sequence of novels by Ian Fleming. Many actors, from Sean Connery to Pierce Brosnan, have performed the function. Daniel Craig was the newest 007, however he stepped away from the character after No Time to Die in 2021. The blockbuster film handily topped the $700 million mark.
The subsequent actor to play James Bond can have massive footwear and even larger motion scenes to fill. It may be a protracted dedication. Craig’s run began in 2006. (Then once more, there was additionally the one-and-done George Lazenby). Count on some issues to remain the identical, irrespective of who steps into the function. Tuxedos, martinis, quick vehicles and devious devices must be alongside for the trip, whether or not it is fan-favorite Cavill or a dark-horse candidate on board.
Time will inform what Amazon in the end plans to do with Bond. Says Burnett, “Count on what we have come to count on, time and again. A brand new Bond period.”