Former 007 Pierce Brosnan comments on James Bond
‘s future under Amazon, sharing an optimistic outlook. Brosnan made his debut as the British superspy in 1995’s GoldenEye, ultimately returning for three sequels before departing the franchise in 2002. Following Daniel Craig’s run as Bond from 2006 to 2021, the character’s future remained a question mark, but it was revealed in February that Amazon, after purchasing Bond distributor MGM in 2022, had now taken creative control of the franchise from the Broccoli family, seemingly fast-tracking the announced James Bond 26.
During a recent interview with ScreenRant ‘s Liam Crowley for his new Paramount+ series, MobLand, Brosnan shares his thoughts on the James Bond franchise’s future with Amazon now in control. The actor shares a hopeful sentiment, expressing that the company knows how valued and how loved the character is by audiences, which will affect its care of the franchise. Check out his comment below:
“I wish them well, and that’s it. It’s as simple as that, really. I really hope they take care of it and I’m sure they will. It’s a much loved character. There’s no other character on the stage like him, really. They know what they’re doing, the studio, and they’ll take care of him, I’m sure.”
What This Means For James Bond
The Franchise’s Next Steps Explained
Amazon is already making moves with Bond. THR reported last week that producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman will produce Bond 26 for Amazon. Though the extent of Pascal and Heyman’s roles beyond the next feature film isn’t known, it was previously reported that Amazon was looking for a producer to oversee the franchise as a whole, steering things presumably through multiple movies and Prime Video expansions.
This expansion of the 007 franchise into a Bond cinematic universe is what was widely ᴀssumed would take place when Amazon took over, and it’s part of why the move has been so divisive. Under the Broccoli family’s stewardship, new Bond movies were released every few years in theaters, but the cadence of releases could be about to change. For now, Amazon hasn’t announced any such plans, but reports have suggested that the company wants to focus on getting Bond 26 right first. Brosnan, then, could be right on the money in terms of Amazon treading carefully with the IP.
As of writing, Bond 26 doesn’t have a release date and no actor has been cast, but more information is likely to emerge over the next few months.
Our Take On Brosnan’s James Bond Optimism
There Will Be Pros & Cons To Amazon’s Takeover
Though the Broccoli family oversaw a number of fan-favorite Bond movies, including Skyfall (2012), it’s worth mentioning that they also oversaw a number of films that were less warmly received. Die Another Day (2002), for example, was arguably a low point for Brosnan’s tenure as Bond and for the franchise as a whole. Even if not all of Amazon’s Bond projects work, then, this may not be drastically different from what things were like under the Broccoli regime.
One potentially positive change that came with Amazon taking over is that the company, unlike the Broccolis, may not demand final cut. This opens the door for a filmmaker like Christopher Nolan to direct a Bond movie after he reportedly declined several years ago due to this very issue. There will certainly be positives and negatives ᴀssociated with Amazon’s takeover of James Bond, but Brosnan is evidently optimistic that Amazon’s ownership doesn’t spell disaster for the franchise.
James Bond
The James Bond franchise follows the adventures of British secret agent 007 as he combats global threats. With a license to kill, Bond faces off against various villains and criminal organizations, employing high-tech gadgets, espionage, and charm. The series spans multiple films, featuring exotic locations, thrilling action sequences, and memorable characters. Bond’s mission to protect the world and uphold justice remains central, making the franchise an enduring icon in the spy genre.
