Timothy Dalton’s Heartfelt Reaction to Amazon’s James Bond Deal: ‘A Bit Sad’

Timothy Dalton, the former James Bond actor, recently shared his thoughts on Amazon’s new role in the Bond franchise. On February 20, Amazon announced that it would gain creative control over the upcoming films after talks with Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, who oversee the series.

In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, Dalton expressed his pride in the Bond story, saying, “It is one of the few wonderful stories we’ve got in film that is British.” He emphasized the significance of having a British lead character that people can relate to.

He had high praise for Barbara Broccoli, calling her “fantastic” and one of the best women in the world. Dalton expressed curiosity about how Amazon would handle the franchise. “I have no idea what Amazon would do with it. It’s been part of our lives, so anything that threatens it is kind of sad,” he commented.

Despite any uncertainties, Dalton isn’t worried about the financial aspect of the deal. He said, “Amazon are quite capable of making it a hit.” In another interview, he admitted to being “very, very surprised and shocked” by the news.

As Amazon gears up for this new chapter, Mike Hopkins, Amazon’s film chief, said the company is “honoured to continue this treasured heritage.” Reports suggest the deal cost Amazon around $1 billion. Almost immediately after, Jeff Bezos reached out to fans on social media, asking for their opinions on who should be the next James Bond.

Meanwhile, Daniel Craig, who played 007 from 2006 to 2020, also reacted to the announcement. He expressed his ongoing respect for Broccoli and Wilson. “I hope to be part of whatever ventures Barbara goes on to do,” he said.

Throughout its history, the James Bond films have grossed nearly $8 billion worldwide, showing the franchise’s enduring popularity.