James Bond Producers Allegedly Turned Down Christopher Nolan, Who Ended Up Making Oppenheimer Instead

Following the surprising announcement of Amazon's acquisition of full creative control over the James Bond franchise, with the departure of long-time producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, a recent report details the next steps for the iconic series – and reveals a surprising rejection of a prominent director.

While speculation swirls about a potential Bond TV series, Variety reports that a new Bond film remains Amazon's top priority. Their initial focus will reportedly be on securing a new producer, aiming for someone with a proven track record of maintaining a cohesive vision across a series, similar to David Heyman's work on the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films.

The report also claims that Christopher Nolan expressed interest in directing a Bond film following Tenet, but was ultimately turned down by Broccoli, who maintained that no director would have final cut authority under her stewardship. Nolan subsequently directed Oppenheimer, a box office and critical success.

Who's Your Choice for the Next Bond?

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Fan speculation regarding the next Bond actor is rampant. While actors like Tom Hardy, Idris Elba, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson (previously rumored as a frontrunner) are being discussed, Henry Cavill appears to be the current fan favorite.

According to Variety, Amazon's ability to make any casting decisions is contingent upon the completion of its acquisition of the Broccoli-Wilson production rights, expected later this year. This follows a report detailing a tense standoff between the Broccoli family and Amazon, leaving the future of the franchise temporarily uncertain.

Amazon and Eon Productions have yet to publicly comment.