He’s a bit shaken.
Amazon’s newfound inventive management of the “James Bond” franchise has “shocked” one actor who beforehand held the 007 title.
In a brand new interview, Timothy Dalton, who performed the notorious agent in “The Living Daylights” (1987) and “License to Kill” (1989), reacted to the information that Amazon MGM Studios gained inventive management over the movie franchise after producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson introduced they’d be taking a step again.
“I was very, very surprised and shocked,” Dalton, 78, instructed the Radio Occasions.
“Barbara is I think a fabulous woman and a wonderful producer, as was her father Cubby Broccoli, who I got on with very well and liked a lot. He was a very powerful and strong anchor for the project. Nothing went on that he didn’t want and it’s sad that he’s not with us anymore, that’s all I can say. He was well in charge of the show and that’s not so anymore.”
The late Albert “Cubby” Broccoli, the creator and producer of the movies, handed down the franchise to his daughter, Barbara, and stepson, Wilson, in 1955.
The pair maintained inventive management over the film sequence by way of their very own firm Eon Productions regardless of the franchise being owned by MGM Studios, which was later acquired by Amazon in 2022.
However on Thursday, a press release from Wilson, 83, and Barbara, 64, introduced they’d be taking a step again from the franchise — him to “focus on art and charitable projects” and her to concentrate on “other projects.” The duo will nonetheless be co-owners of the Bond franchise, per Selection.
The deal reportedly value Amazon roughly $1 billion, in accordance with Deadline.
“The movies have taken different courses over the years, but there is something very good about the original and I hope Amazon latch onto that and give us the kind of film that’s brought so much excitement and fun to so many people,” Dalton stated.
“Anyway, good luck to them, I say. I do wish them all the very, very best. They’ll be doing their best to make a lot of money, so hopefully they will make good movies.”
The information has been met with a flurry of criticism. The Put up’s leisure critic Johnny Oleksinski predicted that Amazon will produce “forgettable Bond television series and spin-off films,” calling the deal “the death of an iconic brand.”
“RIP James Bond. Amazon will destroy a great franchise, like Disney have destroyed Star Wars,” one fan lamented on social media.
“It’s kinda sad to see the last family-owned movie franchise handed over to the suits, and I’m sure Amazon MGM is salivating, BUT… DON’T cinematic universe James Bond. It is one of our last, great theatrical events. Don’t dilute that with a plethora of streaming spin-offs,” implored one other on X.
In the meantime, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos appeared chipper.
“Who’d you pick as the next Bond?” he wrote on X.
Former 007 Daniel Craig additionally weighed in on the deal.
“My respect, admiration and love for Barbara and Michael remain constant and undiminished,” Craig, 56, stated in a press release to 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.”
