After Amazon took control of the James Bond movies, Pierce Brosnan expressed his concerns about the franchise’s future. Brosnan was the fifth actor to play 007, having starred in GoldenEye (1995), Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), The World Is Not Enough (1999), and Die Another Day (2002). His tenure came six years after Timothy Dalton’s time as Bond ended with 1989’s Licence to Kill. It is currently the largest gap between Bond movies, though the current delay is likely to surpᴀss it. Amazon’s takeover of the Bond franchise means that there is still no word about a new actor’s casting.
In an interview with The Telegraph, the former Bond star expressed his sorrow about the takeover. While he knew that it was coming, he is concerned about the end of the Barbara Brocolli and Michael G. Wilson era. He expressed that they will have influence over Amazon, but he still “laments” the decision, as he is worried about how the media giant will handle the franchise and its leading character. Check out his quote below:
In this world that is moving so fast now, at the speed of light, [the takeover] does come with a certain lament. I thought it was coming for some time I guess, but I think it was the right decision for Barbara and Michael. It takes great courage for them to let go. They will still have a say in matters. I hope that [Amazon] handles the work and the character with dignity and imagination and respect. No one really knows [what will happen].
History has been pᴀssed on, and I’m very proud to have been part of the history and the legacy of Bond and the movies that I made with Barbara and Michael. That we moved the needle, that we brought it back to life. It had been dormant [for] six years and GoldenEye was such a success that it continued and went from strength to strength…You know, everything changes, everything falls apart, and I wish them well.
What Brosnan’s Concerns Mean For Amazon And Bond
Other Bond Stars Are Also Speaking Out
Brosnan’s voice joins a chorus of other Bond actors who are speaking out after Amazon’s purchase. Timothy Dalton commented that “They’ll be doing their best to make a lot of money” while also sharing his hope that they will “make good movies“. Daniel Craig expressed his respect for Wilson and the Broccolis without commenting on Amazon itself. Each of their statements have been fairly muted, as none of the actors shared too many concerns outright. Even Brosnan’s comments are largely positive, even if he did express his “lament“.
Seven actors have played Bond so far, which includes Sean Connery, David Niven, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig.
The concerns about Amazon’s takeover largely relate to the company potentially losing the core of Bond’s character. Brosnan is particularly concerned about an American playing the next James Bond, but there is also a potential that Amazon will attempt to create a Bond universe. The company reportedly planned several 007 TV shows during the Broccoli and Wilson era, but they were quickly rebuffed. Without anything to hold the new producers back, they could very well oversaturate the market with content.
Our Take On Pierce Brosnan’s Comments
He Shares The Public’s Concerns
Brosnan’s concerns about Amazon are entirely legitimate, but so are his more optimistic comments. In Hollywood, everything does change and that change is not necessarily negative. The Bond movies were extraordinary under Wilson and the Broccolis, and that does not mean that they cannot be similarly excellent in the coming era. The franchise has survived a change in creative control twice before. There could very well be another brilliant era ahead. Amazon may make mistakes, but future James Bond movies still have potential.
Source: The Telegraph