Former 007 star Daniel Craig has commented on Amazon MGM Studios taking over creative control of the James Bond franchise – see what he had to say below.
It was announced yesterday (February 20) that long-serving producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli are stepping back from the creative process and handing over control of the beloved franchise to the studio, ending over 60 years of the Broccoli family overseeing the film series.
There has been no official announcement regarding the next James Bond film, with the last being Daniel Craig’s farewell in 2021’s No Time To Die. Craig has now shared his thoughts on the new development, saying in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter: “My respect, admiration and love for Barbara and Michael remain constant and undiminished.”
He continued: “I wish Michael a long, relaxing (and well-deserved) retirement and whatever ventures Barbara goes on to do, I know they will be spectacular and I hope I can be part of them.”
A new joint venture between the two parties sees both share the intellectual property rights, with creative control moving to Amazon MGM Studios as part of the deal and both parties retaining ownership. Amazon acquired the rights to the James Bond franchise in 2021 when they purchased studio Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM). The acquisition gave them access to the previous films and distribution of future movies, but up until now not the creative direction.
Additionally, Jeff Bezos, founder and executive chairman of Amazon – which owns Amazon MGM Studios – has taken to social media to ask fans for their opinions on who should next portray the beloved spy.
Who’d you pick as the next Bond? pic.twitter.com/u7nBaRROlf
— Jeff Bezos (@JeffBezos) February 20, 2025
Among the most common replies in response to Bezos’ question are Henry Cavill, Idris Elba, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Theo James and James McAvoy.
Aaron Taylor-John has been in the front-running for the role since Craig retired as 007. Last year, it was reported that he had been offered the role, although the actor avoided the question when asked about it on the red carpet for action-comedy The Fall Guy.
Former Bond actor Pierce Brosnan has also weighed in on the potential casting, showing his support for Taylor-Johnson early last year: “I think the man has the chops and the talent and the charisma to play Bond, very much so.”
Recently, the James Bond name made headlines as part of a legal dispute, with a Dubai-based developer seeking to take control of certain copyrights surrounding the franchise.
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