WE FINALLY MADE IT! WE ARE HERE! The 25th James Bond film No Time To Die is released this week, but this won’t stop us talking about who’ll be the seventh actor to become 007.
Bondmania is running wild in the UK with the promotion hitting the high end with the world premiere happening tomorrow night (Tuesday 28th September) at the Royal Albert Hall. Bond producer Barbara Broccoli spoke on BBC Radio 4’s Today program (via Deadline) and stated she won’t be thinking about Daniel Craig’s replacement until next year.
2022 marks a big year for the character as it marks 60 years since the release of Dr No, and it would be the perfect time to unveil the new 007. However, it will be hard for Broccoli to find someone as she admits to being “in denial” about losing Craig following his five-film stint.
It’s clear the producer adores her leading man when you hear her talk in the “Being James Bond” documentary and even in the Casino Royale bonus features stating Craig was the only one she wanted. It makes sense, given this was the first Bond she had to cast (alongside fellow producer Michael G. Wilson) without her dad Albert ‘Cubby’ Broccoli.
“We want Daniel to have his time of celebration”, Broccoli states. “Next year we’ll start thinking about the future.”
Wilson adds they’ll be some “big shoes to fill” following Craig’s departure.
Next year is a big year for the franchise in general as not only celebrating an anniversary, but also they’ll be living under a new roof as Amazon will become their studio partners, having bought MGM in the summer.
Broccoli was speaking to Sky over the weekend about EON’s relationship with her new bosses and they have talked about the future and by these early signs, the future looks strong.
“We focused on making the films for theatrical release and… I think that’s our position. [Amazon] certainly have told us that the films will be theatrical films in the future. And we’ll see what happens.”
It would be wise for Amazon to continue to release these films in cinemas as it will be the quickest way of making their money back. Eon could focus on more mid-budget releases, in between 007 adventures, like Film Stars Don’t Die In Liverpool or more Rhythm Section movies released exclusively on Prime.
You can read more about my wishlist for the 60th Anniversary, including the announcement of not just a new Bond but a new film as well.
I will keep everything crossed that Henry Golding will become James Bond because I felt he would be perfect and nothing has changed my mind since seeing his first lead role in 2018’s Crazy Rich Asians.
The Bear Cave 