Timothy Dalton’s Sadness Over Amazon’s Control of James Bond
In a heartfelt revelation, former James Bond actor Timothy Dalton has expressed his deep sadness regarding Amazon’s recent acquisition of creative control over the iconic British franchise. Dalton, who portrayed 007 in “The Living Daylights” and “Licence to Kill,” shared his concerns in an interview with The Daily Telegraph.
A British Icon Under American Influence
Dalton lamented the idea of a cherished British icon like James Bond falling under the creative control of an American company. He emphasized the importance of the franchise’s British roots, stating, “It is one of the few wonderful stories we’ve got in film that is British. The leading character is British. We can call it our own.” His comments come at a time when Amazon MGM Studios has secured a $1B deal with Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, the long-time producers of the Bond series.
The Impact on Bond’s Unique Touch
One of Dalton’s primary concerns is the potential loss of Barbara Broccoli’s unique touch on the franchise. He praised her for carefully managing the brand and resisting the temptation to turn Ian Fleming’s hero into “content” with endless spin-offs. Dalton explained, “Barbara is one of the best women in the whole world. I think she’s fantastic. Around a Bond movie, everyone’s got an opinion. That tends to make something less special, but if you keep it to people who know what they’re doing and know what they want, then it will sharpen up and be good. Barbara had that.”
Uncertainty and Hope for the Future
While Dalton expressed uncertainty about Amazon’s plans for the franchise, he remains hopeful that the series will continue to thrive. He acknowledged the importance of maintaining Bond’s British heritage, stating, “I have no idea what Amazon would do with it, and I have no idea what the relationship of Amazon to the Broccolis will be. But it is a damn fine series of movies. I was watching it when I was young, we all were. It’s been part of our lives, so anything that threatens it is kind of sad.”
Dalton also stressed the importance of casting a British actor as Bond, emphasizing that “that’s where it was born, that’s what the stories are.” As speculation continues over who will step into the iconic role following Daniel Craig’s departure, names like Aaron Taylor-Johnson, James Norton, Damson Idris, Theo James, and Josh O’Connor have been mentioned, along with Tom Hardy, Idris Elba, and Henry Cavill.
Amazon’s Commitment to Bond’s Legacy
Following the deal, Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, paid homage to Bond’s heritage, stating, “Since his theatrical introduction over 60 years ago, James Bond has been one of the most iconic characters in filmed entertainment … We are honored to continue this treasured heritage, and look forward to ushering in the next phase of the legendary 007 for audiences around the world.”
Dalton concluded with a note of optimism, saying, “Everyone who’s got anything to do with it will be working very hard to make it a hit. Amazon are quite capable of making it a hit.”
In Conclusion
Timothy Dalton’s concerns about Amazon’s creative control over James Bond highlight the deep emotional connection fans have with the franchise. As the future of 007 remains uncertain, fans can only hope that the essence of this British icon will be preserved. For more insights into the world of cinema and entertainment, stay updated with the latest news and join the conversation in the comments below.
This article is based on information sourced from Deadline.
