Nolan Turned Down for Bond, Chose Oppenheimer

Following the surprising news that Amazon has assumed full creative control of the James Bond franchise, with long-time producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson stepping back, new insights into the future of 007 have emerged. Amidst speculation about a potential shift to a Bond TV series, Variety has confirmed that a new Bond film remains Amazon's "top priority." The next step for Amazon is to appoint a new producer for the franchise, with David Heyman, known for his work on the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts series, reportedly being the kind of visionary producer they are seeking.

In an intriguing twist, it has been revealed that acclaimed director Christopher Nolan had shown interest in helming a Bond film following his work on Tenet. However, Barbara Broccoli, during her tenure, rejected Nolan's proposal, refusing to grant him "final cut" privileges. Nolan subsequently directed Oppenheimer, which not only grossed nearly $1 billion worldwide but also clinched the Oscars for Best Picture and Best Director.

Who’d You Pick as the Next Bond? --------------------------------

Henry CavillTom HardyJames McAvoyMichael FassbenderAaron Taylor-JohnsonIdris ElbaSomeone else (tell us who in the comments!)

AnswerSee ResultsFans are eagerly awaiting the announcement of who will step into the iconic role of James Bond next. Among the speculated candidates are Tom Hardy, known for his role in Venom; Idris Elba from the MCU; James McAvoy, who played Professor X; Michael Fassbender, who portrayed Magneto; and Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who starred in Kraven and was previously rumored to be a top contender. However, Henry Cavill, celebrated for his roles as Superman and in The Witcher, remains the clear fan-favorite.

According to Variety, Amazon cannot proceed with hiring anyone for the Bond project until the finalization of their deal with Broccoli and Wilson, which is anticipated to occur later this year. This development comes after reports of a contentious stalemate between the Broccoli family and Amazon, which had put the future of the James Bond franchise "on pause." The Wall Street Journal described this situation as "ugly," highlighting how the struggle for creative control between Barbara Broccoli, who had long decided who would play the iconic British spy, and Amazon, which gained the rights to distribute Bond films following its $8.45 billion acquisition of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 2021, left the franchise in limbo.

Neither Amazon nor Eon Productions have issued a public statement on these developments.