Timothy Dalton ‘Very Surprised and Shocked’ with Amazon MGM Bond Takeover
Absolutely no movie institutions are as enduring—or as fiercely guarded—as James Bond. Since Dr. No debuted in 1962, 007 has survived the Cold War, the rise of digital espionage, and even the occasional questionable theme song. But now, the franchise faces one of its most significant shifts to date.
With Amazon MGM taking full creative control of Bond, longtime producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson have stepped back, marking the end of an era that dates back to Cubby Broccoli’s stewardship.
The move follows Wilson’s retirement and leaves the future of James Bond 26 in uncharted territory. Among those taking note of the change is former Bond actor Timothy Dalton, who played the secret agent in The Living Daylights (1987) and Licence to Kill (1989), whose reaction is a mix of shock, nostalgia, and cautious optimism.
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Dalton’s Take: A Mix of Concern and Hope
Speaking to Radio Times, Dalton admitted he was caught off guard by the shake-up. “I was very, very surprised and shocked. Barbara is, I think, a fabulous woman and a wonderful producer, as was her father Cubby Broccoli, who I got on with very well and liked a lot.”
He went on to reflect on Cubby Broccoli’s influence over the franchise, “He was a very powerful and strong anchor for the project. Nothing went on that he didn’t want, and it’s sad that he’s not with us anymore, that’s all I can say. He was well in charge of the show and that’s not so anymore.”
Despite his surprise, Dalton remains hopeful that Amazon MGM will respect Bond’s legacy, rather than simply view it as a commercial asset. “It’s a wonderful franchise. The movies have taken different courses over the years, but there is something very good about the original, and I hope Amazon latch onto that and give us the kind of film that’s brought so much excitement and fun to so many people.”
Recently voted as the most handsome 007, Dalton also acknowledged the profound, almost mythical power of Bond’s cinematic debut for audiences across generations. “Can you remember the first time you saw a Bond movie? You were a kid, right? Me too! And that’s what got us going. Anyway, good luck to them, I say. I do wish them all the very, very best. They’ll be doing their best to make a lot of money, so hopefully they will make good movies.”
What Happens Next for 007?
Bond fans are no strangers to change. Over the decades, seven actors have donned the tuxedo, each bringing their own interpretation to Ian Fleming’s iconic spy. But the real question now is not who will play Bond next, but rather what Bond will look like in this new era of corporate control.
Amazon acquired MGM in 2022, securing distribution rights to 007’s cinematic legacy. However, it wasn’t until recently that the tech giant fully took the reins on Bond’s creative direction. The move all but guarantees an expanded media universe—perhaps spin-offs, series, or even an interconnected Bond cinematic world, a concept previously unthinkable under Broccoli and Wilson’s stewardship.
Everyone has an opinion—and naturally, they’re all right. The internet was ablaze last week, with Bond fans speculating that the franchise was about to go woke and change Bond beyond all recognition.
Yet, even with the franchise’s future firmly in Amazon’s hands, a new Bond film remains elusive. No Time to Die (2021) marked Daniel Craig’s dramatic exit, and as of now, no successor has been named. If production on Bond 26 doesn’t begin soon, the wait for the next installment could stretch to an unprecedented six-year gap—the longest hiatus in Bond’s history.
For now, Timothy Dalton’s sentiments seem to reflect a larger uncertainty among both fans and industry veterans: can Amazon MGM keep Bond’s essence intact, or will the world’s greatest spy become just another cog in a corporate machine?