MOVIE NEWS – The recent acquisition of the James Bond franchise by Amazon MGM Studios has left many fans and former 007 actors in shock. The latest to weigh in on the massive shake-up is Timothy Dalton, who portrayed one of the most intense and grounded versions of Bond before Daniel Craig redefined the role in Casino Royale. Dalton expressed his surprise over Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson stepping away from future Bond projects.

Having starred in 1987’s The Living Daylights and 1989’s Licence to Kill, Dalton’s time as James Bond was relatively short, yet his interpretation remains one of the most underappreciated. Despite this, he didn’t hesitate to share his reaction to the franchise’s drastic new direction. Speaking to Radio Times, he stated:

“I was very, very surprised and shocked. Barbara is, in my opinion, a fantastic woman and an incredible producer, just like her father, Cubby Broccoli. I got on very well with him, and I had a great deal of respect for him. He was a strong and stabilizing force for the franchise. Nothing happened without his approval, and it’s a shame that he’s no longer with us. He was in complete control of the series, but that’s no longer the case.”

Timothy Dalton Says What Everyone Is Thinking About Amazon’s Bond Takeover

Though Dalton is no longer directly involved with the Bond franchise, he still holds fond memories of his time as 007. He hopes Amazon will honor the legacy of the series while acknowledging the company’s primary goal—turning a profit. He elaborated:

“Over the years, the films have taken different directions, but there’s something truly special about the originals. I hope Amazon recognizes that and delivers the kind of movies that have brought so much excitement and joy to audiences. In any case, I wish them the best of luck. They’ll do their best to make a lot of money, so hopefully, they’ll also make good films.”

Dalton’s remarks come just days after Amazon MGM Studios formally announced the leadership transition. Daniel Craig also reacted to the news, offering praise for Broccoli and Wilson but remaining silent on the franchise’s new direction. Meanwhile, fans have been vocal in their disapproval, calling the deal a “sellout” and suggesting that Bond’s on-screen demise in 2022’s No Time to Die now serves as a metaphor for the entire franchise.

It will likely take years before audiences see the full effects of this change and how Amazon intends to shape the future of Bond. Whether this turns out to be a fresh start or a disaster remains to be seen.

Source: Radio Times