James Bond

franchise casting director Debbie McWilliams shares an unenthusiastic reaction to Amazon taking control of the franchise. McWilliams has been part of the 007 franchise since 1981’s For Your Eyes Only, working with Eon Productions and the Broccoli family to cast 13 Bond films in total, which included finding each new iteration of the British superspy. Following No Time To Die in 2021, the announced James Bond 26 has been a major question mark, but the franchise just got a big update in the form of producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson ceding creative control to Amazon.

In a statement to Screen Daily following Amazon’s Bond takeover, McWilliams now announces that she’s retiring from casting. The legendary casting director expresses appreciation for her time in the franchise and her working relationship with the Broccoli family while sharing some doubts about what Bond will look like under Amazon. McWilliams also takes a dig at Amazon boss Jeff Bezos, who recently polled users on X, formerly Twitter, about who should be next to play 007. Check out her comment below:

“I am sad to see the end of this era but totally understand why it has happened. Prior to Amazon acquiring MGM, Barbara and Michael had a good working relationship with the studio and always held the final decisions. Producing a Bond film takes at least two years of their lives with little time for anything else. And with Michael retiring I think Barbara did not have the appeтιтe to shoulder the burden alone. She has so many other interests, especially with her theatre projects.

Looking at Amazon’s previous theatrical films does not fill me with any great enthusiasm. If they mess with the essence of Bond, they risk alienating a huge audience. Choosing the actor to fill the role is a huge task and not one I would hand over to subscribers of X.

I have worked closely with Barbara and Michael for over 40 years and had the most amazing career, travelling all over the world in search of wonderful actors, and to be on hand on the various locations. I have now hung up my casting hat and have moved on to other film-related projects. But I wish everyone the best of luck and hope the transition can be relatively painless. But it won’t be the same.”

What McWilliams’ Comment Means For James Bond

007 Is About To Change In A Big Way

Amazon hasn’t made its plans for Bond plain, but it’s not hard to imagine what is to come. For decades, the Broccolis have resisted attempts to create a 007 cinematic universe with TV shows and spinoffs, maintaining a steady release of theatrical movies. But with Amazon now in control of Bond, a 007 cinematic universe seems like exactly what will happen. Bezos’ polling social media users about who should be the next 007 also speaks to the company’s approach to the franchise after decades of lesser-known stars being cast as Bond.

McWilliams’ comment about Amazon’s slate of films is also notable. There have been relatively few Amazon original movies in the action or thriller genres that have been warmly received. Movies like Canary Black (2024), Killer Heat (2024), Road House (2024), The Tomorrow War (2021), and Without Remorse (2021) have been met with mixed receptions at best and have been critically panned at worst.

Our Take On McWilliams’ James Bond Retirement

Casting The Next 007 Will Be Crucial

McWilliams no longer having a hand in casting after bringing actors like Daniel Craig and Pierce Brosnan on board is another hit for the franchise. The search for a new Bond has historically never been taken lightly, and the choices usually end up being somewhat surprising. By asking users on X who the next Bond should be, Amazon is sending a worrying message. Instead of making a bold and filmmaker-driven creative choice, the company is showing that they would instead rather go for something safe and uninspired with mᴀss commercial appeal.

Cavill, for example, is a great Bond on paper, but he’s far too obvious of a choice to be creatively interesting at this point in the franchise’s history. Craig, when he was cast in Casino Royale, was very much not an obvious choice and there was actually significant backlash to his casting. He went on, of course, to become one of the most-celebrated Bonds of all time. Many questions remain about James Bond‘s future, but McWilliams is certainly right that the franchise will never be the same.

Source: Screen Daily