Nolan Rejected for Bond, Chooses Oppenheimer

In a surprising turn of events, Amazon has assumed full creative control over the James Bond franchise, prompting long-time producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson to step back. This shift has sparked a flurry of speculation and revelations about the future direction of the iconic series.

Despite rumors of a possible Bond TV series, Variety reports that a new Bond film remains the "top priority" for Amazon. The tech giant is reportedly on the hunt for a new producer to steer the franchise, with David Heyman, renowned for his work on the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts series, being the kind of visionary producer Amazon is eyeing.

An intriguing detail from the Variety report is that acclaimed director Christopher Nolan had shown interest in helming a Bond film following his work on Tenet. However, Broccoli's insistence on retaining final cut privileges led to Nolan's rejection. Nolan subsequently directed Oppenheimer, which not only grossed nearly $1 billion worldwide but also clinched the Best Picture and Best Director Oscars.

Who’d You Pick as the Next Bond? --------------------------------

Henry CavillTom HardyJames McAvoyMichael FassbenderAaron Taylor-JohnsonIdris ElbaSomeone else (tell us who in the comments!)

AnswerSee ResultsThe question on every fan's mind is: who will be the next James Bond? Speculation is rife, with names like Tom Hardy, Idris Elba, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson (who was previously rumored to be a top contender) being thrown into the mix. However, the clear fan favorite appears to be Henry Cavill, known for his roles as Superman and in The Witcher.

Variety also notes that Amazon cannot proceed with hiring for the Bond project until the finalization of their deal with Broccoli and Wilson, expected sometime this year. This follows a report from the Wall Street Journal that described the future of the James Bond franchise as "on pause" due to a contentious standoff between the Broccoli family and Amazon.

The tension stems from the acquisition of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer by Amazon for $8.45 billion in 2021, which included the rights to release Bond films. This move has left the franchise in limbo, with Broccoli traditionally holding the reins on creative decisions, including casting the legendary British spy.

As of now, neither Amazon nor Eon Productions has issued a statement regarding these developments.