James Bond release date ‘revealed’ with next film landing £250,000,000 Amazon budget
It's happening.
Following Amazon’s shock takeover, James Bond bosses have been given a £250,000,000 budget and three years to get the next film on the big screen, it is reported.
2021’s No Time To Die, which was Daniel Craig’s last outing as 007, was budgeted £30million less than the upcoming James Bond film.
This next installment is going to be fast-tracked, with Amazon aiming for it to hit cinemas by the end of 2027, it is reported.
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.’
Last month Bond fans were shocked after Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson handed creative control of the franchise over to Amazon after decades in a reported $1bn (£790m) deal.
Daniel Craig had his last outing at Bond in 2021’s No Time To Die (Picture: MGM/Eon/Danjaq/UPI/Kobal/Shutterstock)Craig portrayed Bond for 15 years, making him the longest serving actor in the role, but in 2017announced his next would be his final outing as the suave spy.
Ever since, speculation has been rife about who will step in Craig’s shoes, with names including Superman star Henry Cavill, Nosteratu’s Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Happy Valley’s James Norton, and Bridgerton heartthrob Rene-Jean Page.
Henry Cavill is the current bookies James Bond favourite (Picture: Theo Wargo/Getty Images)Others who have odds at 9/1 or less at the moment include Game of Thrones star Richard Madden, Josh O’Connor, Slow Horses star Jack Lowden, Paul Mescal after his Gladiator stint, and Callum Turner.
The news of Amazon MGM Studios taking creative control over the beloved films has caused some outrage among fans and stars, who worry it will change.
Bond Girl Valerie Leon, now 81, blasted the move during an appearance on Good Morning Britain.
‘I think it’s madness, absolute madness. We all enjoy Bond as it was. Daniel Craig was killed off in No Time To Die, and I just don’t understand,’ she said.
Michael G Wilson (right) and Barbara Broccoli (to the left of Daniel Craig) have handed over James Bond creative control to Amazon (Picture: Gregory Pace/REX/Shutterstock)‘Of course, money was involved and that’s why Amazon have taken it over. It’ll never be the same again, ever.’
Until now, the final say on key production issues went to producers and half-siblings Michael and Barbara, the children of famed Bond producer Albert ‘Cubby’ Broccoli.
The Amazon studio now owns 50% of the franchise, with Barbara, 64, and Michael, 83, maintaining co-ownership status.
However, creative decisions have been handed over as the siblings look to other projects and Michael takes a step back from filmmaking into retirement.
In December, a report in the Wall Street Journal, pointed at growing tensions as the producer believed she could ‘hold Bond hostage from Amazon for as long as she sees fit’.
The report claimed she didn’t see the studio as a good fit and she was quoted saying: ‘Don’t have temporary people make permanent decisions’ — something her father once said.
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