"Nolan's Oppenheimer Born After Bond Rejection"

In a surprising turn of events, Amazon has assumed full creative control of the James Bond franchise, marking a significant shift as long-time producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson step away. Amidst swirling rumors that Amazon might pivot the series towards a television format, Variety has confirmed that a new Bond film remains the franchise's "top priority."

Amazon's immediate next step involves finding a new producer to steer the franchise into its next era. Reports suggest that the company is eyeing someone with a track record similar to David Heyman, the visionary behind the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts series, to bring a cohesive vision to the iconic spy saga.

In a surprising twist, Christopher Nolan expressed interest in directing a Bond film post-Tenet. However, his aspirations were thwarted when Broccoli, still at the helm at the time, refused to grant him "final cut" privileges. Nolan subsequently directed Oppenheimer, which not only grossed nearly $1 billion globally but also clinched the Best Picture and Best Director Oscars.

Variety reports that Amazon cannot proceed with casting until the finalization of its deal with Broccoli and Wilson, expected sometime this year. This news comes on the heels of an explosive report suggesting that the James Bond franchise was "on pause" due to a contentious standoff between the Broccoli family and Amazon.

The behind-the-scenes tension stems from Amazon's acquisition of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer for $8.45 billion in 2021, which included the rights to release Bond movies. This move positioned Amazon in direct conflict with Broccoli, who had long held creative control and the power to choose who would portray the iconic British spy, leaving the franchise's future in limbo.

As of now, neither Amazon nor Eon Productions have issued a public statement regarding these developments.