Actor Timothy Dalton, who portrayed James Bond in The Living Daylights (1987) and Licence to Kill (1989), has responded to Amazon MGM’s acquisition of “creative control” over the iconic film franchise, announced on February 20.
In an interview with Radio Times, the British actor said he was “very surprised” and “shocked” by the decision. However, he remains hopeful that Amazon Studios will “make some good films.”
“I was very, very surprised and shocked (…) The films have taken very different directions over the years, but there’s still something great about the originals,” he stated.
“I hope Amazon will deliver the kind of film that has brought so much excitement and joy to so many people. Whatever happens, I wish them the best of luck! They’ll do their best to make a lot of money, and I hope they’ll also make great films,” he added.
A Major Shift for the Franchise
On February 20, Amazon MGM Studios announced that they had taken “creative control” of the James Bond franchise following an agreement with Michael Wilson and Barbara Broccoli.
Although the half-sibling duo will remain co-owners of the franchise, they are stepping back from direct involvement in film production. They have been at the helm since GoldenEye (1995), after Barbara Broccoli’s father, Albert, handed over control.
This agreement marks a major shift for one of the most influential franchises in cinema history, giving Amazon the power to shape the future of the spy films, which have been in limbo since the release of No Time to Die in 2021.
