One former James Bond has a thing or two to say about the decision by longtime producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli to relinquish control of the franchise to Amazon MGM Studios.
While promoting his role in season 2 of Paramount+’s 1923, Timothy Dalton was asked what he thought about the new arrangement involving the spy movies that was revealed Thursday.
“I was very, very surprised and shocked,” Dalton told Radio Times. “Barbara is I think a fabulous woman and a wonderful producer, as was her father Cubby Broccoli, who I got on with very well and liked a lot. He was a very powerful and strong anchor for the project. Nothing went on that he didn’t want and it’s sad that he’s not with us anymore, that’s all I can say. He was well in charge of the show and that’s not so anymore.”
Under terms of the new venture, Amazon MGM Studios will gain creative control of 007. Financial details were not disclosed, but there is already industry speculation that Broccoli and Wilson received a healthy payday from Amazon and will continue to have some shared economics going forward.
Dalton played Bond in 1987’s The Living Daylights and 1989’s Licence To Kill.
“It’s a wonderful franchise,” he told the outlet. “The movies have taken different courses over the years, but there is something very good about the original and I hope Amazon latch onto that and give us the kind of film that’s brought so much excitement and fun to so many people … anyway, good luck to them, I say. I do wish them all the very, very best. They’ll be doing their best to make a lot of money, so hopefully they will make good movies.”
1923 returns this Sunday for a second season on Paramount+. Dalton plays Donald Whitfield, a land baron who has set his sights on the Yellowstone ranch.
