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Amazon MGM Studios chief Mike Hopkins says that the studio is determined to make James Bond “relevant” for the modern era.<\/p>\n
\nThe studio has acquired full creative control of the spy franchise and explained how assembling a strong creative team \u2013 including director Denis Villeneuve and writer Steven Knight \u2013 was pivotal as the legendary series enters a new chapter after Daniel Craig bowed out as Bond in the previous film No Time to Die.<\/p>\n
\nHopkins, the head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, told Variety’s Strictly Business podcast: “It was a big part of our pursuit of MGM, was this franchise.<\/p>\n
\n“The first step was, ‘Let’s hire the best people in the world to bring this new story to life, this new chapter in the Bond franchise.’<\/p>\n
\n“So between Denis and Amy (Pascal) and David Heyman and Steven Knight writing the script, we feel like we’ve got a world-class storytelling team there working with us.”<\/p>\n
\nHopkins also revealed that the studio is setting out their vision for Bond’s future, after recently announcing that the casting process to find Craig’s successor had begun.<\/p>\n
\nHe said: “The second thing is, we are gonna try and figure out, how does James Bond get into the next chapter and then be relevant for customers for a long period of time. And so there was still a lot of work to do.<\/p>\n
\n“We’re sort of in the bottom half of the first inning of bringing this to life.”<\/p>\n
\nMeanwhile, Hopkins reassured Bond fans that the franchise’s future remains on the big screen despite the involvement of Prime Video.<\/p>\n
\nHe said: “We’ve made a big investment in theatrical. I would be shocked if that were any different with James Bond in the future.”<\/p>\n
\nAmazon MGM Studios confirmed last month that the search to find the new Bond had kicked off.<\/p>\n
\nThey said in a statement: “The search for the next James Bond is underway. While we don\u2019t plan to comment on specific details during the casting process, we\u2019re excited to share more news with 007 fans as soon as the time is right.”<\/p>\n
\nVariety reports Amazon MGM bosses have brought in star casting agent Nina Gold- who has worked on the Star Wars franchise as well as Les Miserables and The Martian – to help find the next 007.<\/p>\n
\nThe news comes after the studio’s head of film Courtenay Valenti gave fans an update revealing the new movie is “coming” but they’re taking their time.<\/p>\n
\nDuring an appearance at CinemaCon in Las Vegas earlier this year, Courtenay said: “Now, I know you\u2019re all wondering when we\u2019re going to announce who\u2019s playing James Bond. Don\u2019t get too excited. <\/p>\n
\n“Please know that we\u2019re taking the time to do this with care and deep respect. It is the dream of a lifetime for all of us to bring audiences this next chapter, and it\u2019s a responsibility we don\u2019t take lightly.”<\/p>\n
\nThe movie executive added: “What I can tell you is this: when you pair one of the most beloved franchises in history with a world-class filmmaking team, including the brilliant director Denis Villeneuve, extraordinary producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman, executive producer Tanya Lapointe, and screenwriter Steven Knight, you\u2019re setting the stage for something that\u2019s truly worthy of the Bond legacy. <\/p>\n
\n“That film is coming, and when the time is right, we\u2019ll have much more to share.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n