Next James Bond movie suffers devastating blow as production plunges into crisis-Asyia Iftikhar-Entertainment – Metro

The new James Bond movie is facing fresh trouble (Picture:Pics/Everett/REX/Shutterstock)

After months of speculation over the new James Bond movie, reports have emerged that the iconic series could be indefinitely delayed.

Much like the fictional British agent, now the franchise itself seems to be fighting for its own survival.

Although it’s been over three years since Daniel Craig’s final Bond film, No Time To Die, it appears we are no closer to the next movie amid an alleged feud between Amazon and producing partner Barbara Broccoli.

Amazon acquired half the rights to Bond a few years ago through the purchase of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studio for £6.4billion.

This meant Eon productions (helmed by Broccoli and half-brother Michael G Wilson) maintained creative control of the long-running franchise. Broccoli inherited the role from her father, original Bond producer Albert R. Broccoli.

However, according to those behind-the-scenes, including executives, business partners and friends, the relatuonship between Broccoli and Amazon has completely broken down.

Barbara Broccoli is in an alleged feud with Amazon (Picture: Getty)

Amazon boss Jennifer Salke helps liase the relationship between the producing partners and Amazon (Picture: Getty)

Broccoli allegedly said to friends about Amazon: ‘These people are f***ing idiots’, per the Wall Street Journal.

There’s also claims she has expressed discontent with Bond being associated with a streamer also known for the sale of items like toilet paper.

Amazon are unable to go ahead with production without Broccoli’s go-ahead or creative okay, and reports from The Times in September alluded that there was still no script, no director and no actor in place.

The only Bond content Amazon has rolled out since its 2021 purchase has been a reality series 007: Road to a Million, hosted by Brian Cox, which will return for another season.

During one company meeting about the new season, one Amazon employee reportedly said: ‘I have to be honest. I don’t think James Bond is a hero’ which was met with silence.

It is unclear if or when the Amazon-Broccoli feud may thaw but as more time passes, the bigger the gap grows ahead of the premiere of the new movie.

Although three-years is a typical wait, Bond fans have been known to have to wait up to six years (such as between License to Kill and GoldenEye).

Predicting the release timeline a senior talent representative’s best guess was ‘late 2026, at the ­earliest. Maybe 2027. Perhaps even 2028,’ per The Telegraph.

The reported stalling hasn’t stopped the rumour mill swirling (Picture: MGM/Eon/Danjaq/UPI/Kobal/Shutterstock)

Broccoli and Wilson received the 2024 Irving G. Thalberg Award (from the institue behind the Oscars) for her work with the Bond franchise for the past 30 years.

During the award ceremony in November, atteneded by Craig, Broccoli made no mention of Amazon in her acceptance speech.

Although she added: ‘Thank you for acknowledging producers at a time when career producers are undervalued and unappreciated.

‘When producer credits are being handed out on productions like party favors at a time when we are needed more than ever. To all the producers out there struggling to get their projects made – keep going.’

Prior to the awards ceremony, the producers discussed the future of Bond with AP, with Broccoli saying: ‘People are playing it very safe. I think in times of crisis like this, you’ve got to be brave.

‘It’s certainly a new era in the movie business, so we’re trying to figure it out.’

And Wilson offered rarely seen insight into their approach for casting the new Bond, saying that although he wasn’t guaranteed to be white he would likely be a man in his 30s.

‘Every time we cast a new actor, the films change. It’s the excitement of a new Bond, a new direction. Every one of these people who took on the role offered something new and different,’ he added.

Despite this huge blow to the production timeline, the Bond rumour mill is just as strong as ever.

Alongside the hugely popular choice of Aaron Taylor-Johnson, other contenders have included Josh O’Connor, Aaron Pierre and Leo Woodall.

Meanwhile, Irish actor Saoirse Ronan has experessed her entuisiasm to play a Bond villain to switch up her portfolio.

Metro has reached out to EON Productions for comment.

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