Who does Amazon MGM Studios have in mind to take over the James Bond franchise now that longtime producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson are out of the picture? Deadline reports the studio has their eye on two producers in particular, but their names may make the hearts of 007 fans sink.
According to the outlet, Amazon MGM wants to hand off the Bond reins to Amy Pascal and David Heyman. Pascal’s name shouldn’t come as a surprise to Bond diehards, as she oversaw production and distribution for three 007 pics at Sony: “Casino Royale,” “Quantum Of Solace,” and “Skyfall.” And “Skyfall” is the highest-grossing Bond film of all time, with a global take of $1.109 billion, the first move in the franchise to break the $1 billion barrier.
Since stepping down as Sony Motion Pictures Chief, however, Pascal’s production credits have been more uneven. She’s behind hits like Sony’s “Spiderverse” animated movies and the Tom Holland “Spider-Man” films (including the upcoming fourth one in 2026), but she’s also produced Tom Hardy‘s “Venom” movies, which are …their own thing entirely. In between those credits, there’s a handful of Oscar bait titles like “Molly’s Game,” “The Post,” and Greta Gerwig‘s “Little Women,” plus Luca Guadagnino‘s sensational “Challengers” last year. Is Pascal a good pick for a new Bond producer? Given her history with the franchise, there are worse choices. But her recent credits don’t really line up with what’s required to make a 007 movie right, unless of course James Bond’s future goes the superhero movie route.
But the choice of Heyman is a head-scratcher on Amazon MGM’s part. Sure, he’s a British producer who’s made a lot of box office hits with the original “Harry Potter” film franchise. And he won an Oscar over a decade ago for “Gravity” in 2013. But Heyman isn’t exactly an action movie producer, which is what the franchise needs. It’s nice to see his name behind recent modern marvels like “Paddington 2,” “Once Upon A Time… In Hollywood,” and “Barbie,” but, much like Pascal, his resume doesn’t make a lot of sense for producing a Bond film.
Then again, Pascal and Heyman may have a couple of hits in the next couple of years as plans for Bond’s future come into focus. Pascal produces Gerwig’s “Narnia,” Phil Lord & Christopher Miller‘s “Project Hail Mary,” and the previously mentioned “Spider-Man 4.” All three of those have the chance to be critical and box-office darlings. Meanwhile, Heyman’s “The Rivals Of Amziah King” has a lot of buzz coming off of its SXSW world premiere this month. And the pair co-produce Noah Baumbach‘s next picture for Netflix, “Jay Kelly,” too. If any of those five movies above pop off, then Amazon MGM’s potential hiring of these two looks a little less silly.
But don’t expect Amazon MGM to have their Bond problems solved any time soon. Expect the studio to take their time building a path forward for 007; after buying out Broccoli and Wilson, they need a perfect plan to maintain whatever good will remains from the franchise’s fans.
