Daniel Craig was neither shaken nor stirred by Thursday’s stunning announcement that producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson have ceded management of the James Bond franchise to Amazon.
“My respect, admiration and love for Barbara and Michael remain constant and undiminished,” 56-year-old Craig, who performed 007 in 5 movies, advised Selection.
“I wish Michael a long, relaxing (and well deserved) retirement and whatever ventures Barbara goes on to do, I know they will be spectacular and I hope I can be part of them.”
The Broccoli household, which has managed the James Bond franchise since 1962’s “Dr. No,” surprised Hollywood this week once they introduced they’d be stepping away from making the superspy movies.
“I feel it is time to focus on my other projects,” stated Broccoli, 64, who, alongside her brother Wilson, took over from their father Albert “Cubby” Broccoli in 1995.
Whereas the siblings will stay co-owners, Amazon is now answerable for artistic choices for the model.
In line with Deadline, the deal to take the reins price Amazon round $1 billion. That’s on prime of the $8.4 billion the Jeff Bezos-owner firm paid to amass 007 distributor MGM in 2022.
Craig has labored with Broccoli exterior of the Bond franchise and the movie trade basically.
His outdated boss produced the Broadway revival of “Macbeth” that the actor starred in in 2022. She’s produced different Broadway exhibits, together with “Prima Facie” with Jodie Comer and the Tony Award-winning musical “The Band’s Visit.” This season, Broccoli is engaged on “Buena Vista Social Club.”
The final Bond movie to hit theaters was “No Time to Die,” starring Craig, in 2021. The actor’s ultimate outing because the MI6 agent with a license to kill grossed $774 million on the worldwide field workplace.
No plans or casting have been introduced for a twenty sixth movie.
