Timothy Dalton, the former James Bond actor, has shared his concerns over the sale of the iconic 007 franchise to Amazon.
The actor, who starred as the famous British spy in The Living Daylights and Licence to Kill, expressed his dismay over the deal, calling it “sad.”
Dalton is the latest in a line of Bond veterans to voice their worries about the future of the series following its acquisition by Amazon.
Amazon’s Takeover and the Future of Bond
Last week, long-time Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson announced that they were handing over creative control of the franchise to Amazon, the tech giant founded by Jeff Bezos.
While they will remain co-owners, fans and former Bond stars alike have voiced concerns about how the series will evolve under Amazon’s leadership.
Dalton, who is now 78, was one of seven actors to play James Bond on screen, following in the footsteps of icons like Sean Connery, Roger Moore, and Pierce Brosnan.
In his comments to The Telegraph, he questioned what impact the Amazon deal would have on the future of the Bond films, which have long been seen as a part of British culture.
The Legacy of Bond and the Importance of a British Actor
When discussing the next Bond, Dalton made it clear that he believes the actor should be British.
He said, “It is one of the few wonderful stories we’ve got in film that is British. The leading character is British.
We can call it our own.” Dalton emphasized that Bond’s British roots are integral to the character, stating that the stories originated in the UK and should continue to reflect that heritage.
Despite his reservations about the new direction of the franchise, Dalton expressed some hope for the future.
He acknowledged that Amazon has the resources and capability to make Bond films successful but remained uncertain about how they would approach the iconic spy series.
“Everyone who’s got anything to do with it will be working very hard to make it a hit,” Dalton said, though he admitted that the new direction might still feel a bit off.
Casting Speculation and the Fate of the 007 Franchise
As fans eagerly await news on who will replace Daniel Craig as the next Bond, several actors have been rumored to be in the running, including James Norton, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Theo James.
Some even still hope for Tom Hardy or Idris Elba to take on the role, though critics argue they may now be too old for the part.
Meanwhile, acclaimed casting director Debbie McWilliams, who helped select Bond actors for over 40 years, announced her departure following the Amazon deal.
McWilliams, who worked with the Broccolis on 13 Bond films, expressed her sadness about the changes and hinted that the films may never be the same without her involvement.
Social Media Backlash and Concerns Over Future Quality
The announcement of Amazon’s control over the Bond franchise has sparked a backlash on social media, with many fans worried that the series could lose its distinctive British identity and quality.
Some have even compared it to Disney’s handling of Star Wars, with one fan expressing fears that Amazon might destroy the Bond legacy in the same way Disney has done with Star Wars.
There are also rumors that Amazon might spin off beloved Bond characters, such as Q, Moneypenny, and M, into their own series, which could change the landscape of the Bond universe.
A New Era for James Bond
With the new partnership between Amazon and MGM Studios, Amazon now holds the rights to distribute all Bond films and manage the franchise’s intellectual property.
The deal has been heralded as the beginning of a new era for 007, although it’s clear that many fans are apprehensive about what the future holds for the legendary spy.
Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, expressed his excitement about continuing the Bond legacy, stating that they look forward to bringing Bond into the next phase for audiences worldwide.
Despite the changes, it’s clear that the iconic character will continue to play a significant role in popular culture, though the shape of that future remains to be seen.