He’s a bit shaken.
Amazon’s newfound creative control of the “James Bond” franchise has “shocked” one actor who previously held the 007 title.
In a new interview, Timothy Dalton, who played the infamous agent in “The Living Daylights” (1987) and “License to Kill” (1989), reacted to the news that Amazon MGM Studios gained creative control over the film franchise after producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson announced they would be taking a step back.
“I was very, very surprised and shocked,” Dalton, 78, told the Radio Times.
“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 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.”
The late Albert “Cubby” Broccoli, the creator and producer of the films, passed down the franchise to his daughter, Barbara, and stepson, Wilson, in 1955.
The pair maintained creative control over the movie series through their own company Eon Productions despite the franchise being owned by MGM Studios, which was later acquired by Amazon in 2022.
But on Thursday, a statement from Wilson, 83, and Barbara, 64, announced they would be taking a step back from the franchise — him to “focus on art and charitable projects” and her to focus on “other projects.” The duo will still be co-owners of the Bond franchise, per Variety.
The deal reportedly cost Amazon approximately $1 billion, according to Deadline.
“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,” Dalton said.
“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.”
The news has been met with a flurry of criticism. The Post’s entertainment critic Johnny Oleksinski predicted that Amazon will produce “forgettable Bond television series and spin-off films,” calling the deal “the death of an iconic brand.”
“RIP James Bond. Amazon will destroy a great franchise, like Disney have destroyed Star Wars,” one fan lamented on social media.
“It’s kinda sad to see the last family-owned movie franchise handed over to the suits, and I’m sure Amazon MGM is salivating, BUT… DON’T cinematic universe James Bond. It is one of our last, great theatrical events. Don’t dilute that with a plethora of streaming spin-offs,” implored another on X.
Meanwhile, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos seemed chipper.
“Who’d you pick as the next Bond?” he wrote on X.
Former 007 Daniel Craig also weighed in on the deal.
“My respect, admiration and love for Barbara and Michael remain constant and undiminished,” Craig, 56, said in a statement to Variety.
“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.”