Amazon plans ‘contemporary’ James Bond however will respect 007 legacy

We nonetheless do not know who the subsequent James Bond might be, however 007’s new house owners, Amazon MGM, say they’re laborious at work on the subsequent movie in London and that they may supply a “contemporary” tackle the franchise and honour the “legacy of this iconic character.”

The Bond anthem Goldfinger welcomed visitors into the Colosseum Theatre in Las Vegas for Amazon MGM Studio’s first ever look at CinemaCon – heightening anticipation – however there was little or no Bond information in an in any other case star-studded showcase for the streaming big.

Since 1962, James Bond motion pictures have been managed by the notoriously protecting Broccoli household. It shocked many followers and business insiders when producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson agreed earlier this 12 months to promote artistic management of the franchise to Amazon – reportedly for $1bn (£760m).

Many anticipated the brand new producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman to seem at CinemaCon to disclose some particulars of their plans for James Bond amid rife hypothesis that Amazon will churn out prequels, spinoffs, and origin tales galore.

However in an almost two-hour presentation – Ben Affleck, Ryan Gosling, Chris Pratt and Halle Berry all showcased new movies – Bond was barely a blip.

Chris Hemsworth – who many speculate is within the working to turn out to be James Bond – was there to indicate off Crime 101, a thriller targeted on robberies alongside Los Angeles’ 101 Freeway.

Of their presentation, Amazon MGM executives Courtenay Valenti and Sue Kroll talked about James Bond solely in passing, commenting: “We’re dedicated to honouring the legacy of this iconic character whereas bringing a contemporary, unique new chapter to audiences world wide alongside Amy and David.”

They added they wished Pascal and Heyman might be in Las Vegas with them, however that they have been laborious at work in London. “They’re each in London getting began and could not be right here tonight, however we wished to thank them for what we all know to make an unbelievable partnership,” the pair stated.

Valenti and Droll then moved on to showcase Masters of The Universe

Pascal and Heyman are behind two of probably the most profitable franchises in movie historical past, Spider-Man for Pascal and Harry Potter for Heyman.

Amazon MGM confirmed off many different movies, together with Ryan Gosling’s house epic Challenge Hail Mary by which he play’s a reluctant astronaut tasked with saving humanity.

And Chris Pratt showcased Mercy whereas strapped to a chair on stage, spoofing his movie about an AI justice system which is decide, jury and executioner and provides him 90 minutes to show he did not kill his spouse.

As film theatres wrestle to herald audiences and as many shoppers keep residence and watch YouTube, Amazon MGM executives repeatedly informed the group they have been dedicated to the theatrical expertise.

Mike Hopkins, the pinnacle of Amazon MGM and Prime Video, stated they remained bullish on cinema and that they deliberate to make 15 motion pictures a 12 months by 2027 and that they have already got 14 movies able to launch in 2026.

“This actually speaks to our perception in the way forward for the theatrical movie enterprise,” he stated.