James Bond film underway with major hire from Harry Potter franchise

Harry Potter producer David Heyman will be producing the new James Bond film (Picture Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for Warner Bros. Pictures)

Spider-Man and Harry Potter producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman are to produce the next film in the James Bond series for Amazon MGM Studios.

It comes after Amazon gained creative control of the British spy franchise in February, following a deal which saw Eon Productions, run by Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli – who have produced the franchise since the death of Albert ‘Cubby’ Broccoli – become co-owners with Amazon MGM Studios.

The new agreement over creative control means Bond – and whoever is next to play the spy – will be stepping with his shiny shoes into a new era.

What that will look like remains unclear, but this new team of producers said they will ‘keep the spirit of Bond very much alive’ as they are ‘humbled’ by the opportunity to continue the franchise.

Speaking about taking on the next film, Pascal and Heyman said in a joint statement: ‘James Bond is one of the most iconic characters in the history of cinema.

‘We are humbled to follow in the footsteps of Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson who made so many extraordinary films and honoured and excited to keep the spirit of Bond very much alive as he embarks on his next adventure.’

Amy Pascal will be co-producing the new film, which is rumoured to be aiming for a 2027 release (Picture: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images) After Daniel Craig exited the franchise following No Time To Die, it’s been all change – and a lot of speculation – over how the films will move forward (Picture: Danjaq/Eon Productions/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock)

Pascal, who is best-known for her work on the last three Spider-Man films, is currently working on the Phil Lord and Christopher Miller-directed Project Hail Mary, starring Ryan Gosling, for Amazon MGM Studios.

She has also produced the Luca Guadagnino-directed Challengers, and is working on Narnia alongside Mark Gordon, which Greta Gerwig is directing for Netflix.

Heyman produced all eight film adaptations of JK Rowling’s Harry Potter books, as well as the three Fantastic Beasts films, and has also worked on Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time… In Hollywood and Gravity, as well as Paddington and Paddington 2.

He is currently in pre-production on a Harry Potter television series and in post-production on Taika Waititi’s adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguru’s Klara And The Sun, starring Jenna Ortega and Amy Adams.

Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson handed over the creative control of the franchise to Amazon after decades (Picture: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images,)

Amazon MGM Studios head of film, Courtenay Valenti, said of the announcement: ‘We are approaching every creative decision with James Bond, which Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson have so masterfully steered, with the greatest sense of responsibility.

‘Part of an elite group of producers who have developed and managed massive film franchises to box office success and critical acclaim, Amy Pascal and David Heyman are two of the most accomplished, experienced, and respected film producers in our industry.

‘We are honoured to be working with them on James Bond’s next chapter and are excited to deliver to global audiences storytelling that upholds the impeccable legacy of this beloved character.’

Who will be the next James Bond

Bet 365 has Henry Cavill as favourite to play the next James Bond after Daniel Craig announced his departure after No Time To Die.

Here are the odds at the time of writing:

Henry Cavill 6/4

Aaron Taylor-Johnson 5/1

James Norton 8/1

Harris Dickinson 9/1

Rene-Jean Page 12/1

Josh O’Connor 12/1

Richard Madden: 14/1

Jack Lowden: 14/1

Paul Mescal: 18/1

Callum Turner: 18/1

Pascal will produce the film via Pascal Pictures, and Heyman will produce via Heyday Films.

This development comes after it was reported the next Bond installment is going to be fast-tracked, with Amazon aiming for it to hit cinemas by the end of 2027.

A source told The Sun: ‘The Bond bosses had already proposed broad plots and reboot ideas.

‘The writers’ rooms are being assembled in the hope of recouping their investment ASAP.’

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