One of the world’s richest men is now playing with his new shiny billion-dollar toy, it would seem. Following the bombshell news thatAmazon MGM Studios has taken full creative control of theJames Bondfranchise from longtime producersBarbara BroccoliandMichael G. Wilson,Jeff Bezoswasted no time in weighing in on the future of 007 — by asking his social media followers who they’d cast asthe next Bond.“Who’d you pick as the next Bond?“Bezos posted, attaching a screenshot of the BBC headline announcing Amazon’s takeover.
Bezos’ post quickly triggered a frenzy of fan suggestions, many of which were simply ludicrous — but potentially concerning given that Amazon can now just cast a big name if they want to — with names likeHenry Cavill, James McAvoy, Tom Cruise,andTheo Jamesdominating the replies. Cavill, in particular, has long been a favorite amongst the fanbase for the role,having famously auditioned back in 2005whenDaniel Craigwas ultimately chosen forCasino Royale.Cavill’s notoriously vociferous fanbase dominated Bezos' replies, too, so he’s sure to be considered a favorite given how close he came before.
According to directorMartin Campbell, Cavill“looked great in the audition. His acting was tremendous… He just looked a little young at that time.”Now at 41, some question whether he’s aged out of the role, given that Bond actors typically commit for at least a decade. “By the time he’s done the third one, he’s going to be 50,” Campbell noted last year.
A Worrying Time for James Bond
Bezos’ involvement, even just through a tweet, underscores the dramatic shift in Bond’s future. The franchise has historically been tightly controlled by the Broccoli family throughEON Productions, with anemphasis on quality over quantitybut, under Amazon’s leadership, concerns are growing that Bond may now be treated like other major Hollywood franchises — expanded into a sprawling cinematic universe with spin-offs, prequels, and endless brand tie-ins. James Bond Presents: Blofeld and Oddjob, anyone?
Many fans and industry insiders have pointed toStar Wars, Lord of the Rings,Marvel, DC,andStar Trekas cautionary tales, where corporate ownership has led to oversaturation and inconsistent quality. While Amazon has yet to announce its next steps, some fear that Bond, which has long been revered as the gold standard of spy cinema, could be diluted into just another IP machine. Time will tell.
