Latest news with #MichaelGWilson
CNET
a day ago
- Entertainment
- CNET
007 First Light: Here's What James Bond Might Be Up to in His Next Game, Based Mostly on My Hopes and Dreams
More than 70 years after the character first appeared in the novel Casino Royale, James Bond is being reinvented yet again. The latest news comes from IO Interactive, makers of the Hitman games, who announced the title of its upcoming Bond game: 007 First Light, which will be shown off later this week. It has been an interesting year for Bond, with longtime producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson handing creative control over to Amazon MGM Studios in February, and the studio hiring Amy Pascal and David Heyman as their effective replacements. And almost 30 years after the iconic GoldenEye 007 blended espionage elements into first-person shooter gameplay on the N64, we're getting a glimpse of the next incarnation of Bond video games, from a studio that has lots of experience with stealth and subterfuge. The website for First Light describes it as "a wholly original Bond origin story" that will be about Bond earning his 00 status. In Bond lore, agents are only granted 00 status after killing one (sometimes multiple) people as part of an assignment. But guessing that James Bond will have to shoot someone in an upcoming 007 game isn't exactly the boldest prediction. So, what should we expect Bond to be up to in this game? I own all of the Ian Fleming 007 novels and most of the movies and have seen every official Eon-produced Bond film. Based on that extensive experience and (moreso) the willingness to blindly gaze into a crystal ball, here's what I think we might see in First Light. Searching for a missing 007 After decades of books and movies following myriad incarnations of James Bond, a lot has already been explored, but one thing the movies haven't really touched is what happened to the previous 007. That point comes up in the plot of an Anthony Horowitz Bond novel, but is otherwise fresh territory for a game portraying Bond's origins. James inheriting the 007 designation after investigating the disappearance of his predecessor could add new layers of meaning and weight to the title. Discovering Spectre Spectre, the Special Executive for Counter-intelligence, Terrorism, Revenge and Extortion organization, became a recurring antagonist in Fleming's later novels and a frequent presence in Connery films. It's basically a melting pot of criminal organizations from around the world, allowing for conveniently apolitical villainous agendas. Bond unraveling the threads that lead to MI6's first encounter with SPECTRE would be a fun way to nod to the character's history while still treading new ground. Uncovering MI6 corruption Bond himself is prone to going rogue, usually because he of course knows better than the official orders handed to him, so another possible angle is sending him to investigate possible traitorous activity inside his own organization. This could play nicely with the "earning 00 status" element, presenting Bond with situations where he's tasked with taking out former agents gone bad. IO Interactive has said that this will be an original incarnation of Bond -- no Connery, Craig, etc. look-alike. The title teaser shows us a silhouette of the character, but we should get our first proper look at the character in a few days.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Why the next James Bond should NOT be a woman, female ex-CIA intelligence officer has surprising good reasons
Since the release of No Time to Die in 2021, rumors have swirled about who will be the next James Bond. The conversations are heating up again now that producer Barbara Broccoli and producer-writer Michael G Wilson sold the franchise to Amazon. Will he remain British? What race will he be? And could Bond be a woman? Names tipped to succeed Daniel Craig in the iconic role have included Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Henry Cavill and Theo James. Actresses Sydney Sweeney and Zendaya have both been suggested as possible Bond girls, and it seems Amazon has, at least for now, silenced any possibility of a female 007. As a former CIA intelligence officer - and a woman - myself, people naturally assume I'm in favor of a female Bond. Imagine their surprise when they learn I'm not. It's no secret that espionage has long been a 'man's world' - the disparities in pay and position between men and women at the CIA were documented as early as 1953, around the same time Ian Fleming first introduced us to the suave, womanizing spy in his novel Casino Royale. The Bond world Fleming created largely reflected this male-centric reality, its female characters relegated to seemingly less important roles behind a typewriter or at the British spy's side as his far less capable companion. And don't get me started on their scandalous attire and sexual innuendo-filled names. The reality at the CIA was that women donned sensible skirts with pantyhose - pants weren't permitted - and wore crisp, white gloves. Despite having both the skill and desire to work in clandestine operations, women served in positions that 'better suited' their abilities - think secretaries, librarians and file clerks. Many even began their espionage careers as unpaid 'CIA wives,' providing secretarial and administrative support to field stations. It was an undoubtedly clever, yet misogynistic, strategy in which the agency leveraged male case officers' highly educated spouses for free labor. 'I always felt like, you know, I'm not stupid - and here I was, doing filing, typing,' Marti Peterson told me of her time as a CIA wife in Laos in the early 1970s. In 1975, Peterson became the first female case officer to operate in Moscow, only after turning down the CIA's initial offer to become an entry-level secretary. A mere month into her tour, she began handling one of the Moscow station's most prized assets, even delivering a suicide pill to him at his request. (He wanted to be prepared to die by suicide in the event the KGB arrested him for treason.) Hidden in a fountain pen, the lethal package was tucked into Peterson's waistband and held close to her body as she twisted and turned through the streets of Moscow ensuring she wasn't being followed, before making the delivery. After months of operating freely in one of the harshest counterintelligence environments - women were largely able to go undetected as our enemies didn't expect us to carry out plans - Peterson's world changed. This time, when she conducted the dead drop, she was accosted by nearly two dozen KGB officers who she said forced her into a van and off to Lubyanka prison for interrogation. Peterson didn't break under their questioning, and was released after several hours with strict orders to leave the country and never return. Her male managers accused her of failing to spot a surveillance team on her, a cardinal sin in espionage. Peterson shouldered that blame for seven years until it was revealed that the asset was compromised by double agents working for both the CIA and the Czech intelligence service. She could finally rest easy knowing she wasn't to blame for the arrest of that most important Moscow asset. It was thanks to her bravery that the asset was able to boldly choose his own fate, rather than be subjected to whatever punishment the KGB had in mind for him. There were others like Peterson - intrepid women who successfully convinced their male colleagues they had more to offer than typing and filing skills. Janine Brookner, for example, entered on duty in 1968 and by the '80s became the first female chief of a station in Latin America, in one of the Caribbean's most dangerous posts. Around that time, more women were conducting clandestine operations - and they were good at it. Really good. This should have come as no surprise, given that women had already operated in this capacity unofficially for decades. Even so, women had to fight for the best cases that traditionally went to male counterparts, and despite repeated operational successes, the mostly male managers still doubted their clandestine capabilities. The same stereotypes meant women were equally underestimated by the enemy - a situation we continue to take full advantage of even today, allowing us to go unnoticed in some of the most dangerous environments in the world. Janine Brookner became the first female chief of station in Latin America, in one of the Caribbean's most dangerous posts Across the Atlantic, women in the UK have also been key players in the British Secret Intelligence Service, MI6. Kathleen Pettigrew, for example, served as the personal assistant to not one but three MI6 chiefs, making her far more powerful than the Miss Moneypenny character she inspired. In her book, Her Secret Service, author and historian Claire Hubbard-Hall describes the forgotten women of British Intelligence as 'the true custodians of the secret world,' whose contributions largely remain shrouded in mystery, while men's are often cemented in our collective memory thanks to their self-aggrandizing memoirs. At the same time women were making slow gains in intelligence, the Bond girl was evolving on the silver screen, a credit to Broccoli who, together with her half-brother Wilson, took over the rights from their ailing father in 1995. In the decades since, Broccoli expertly shepherded Bond through an ever-changing global and political landscape, adding nuance to the charming, deeply flawed intelligence operative so many of us have grown to love. Perhaps just as importantly, she brought balance and inclusivity to the films, creating multi-dimensional, capable Bond girls and even casting a woman as 'M,' the head of MI6, in 1995. The real MI6, on the other hand, has yet to have a woman in its top leadership role, and it wasn't until 2018 that the CIA saw its first female director. It's taken every bit of the past 70-plus years to somewhat level the playing field for real women in espionage, so one might argue that it's about time for a female James Bond. Certainly, women are capable - a history of successful female intelligence officers from both sides of the pond already proves that. But what if it's not a question of whether she's able to believably pull off the role but whether that's something viewers, especially women, actually want? Broccoli didn't seem to think so. 'I'm not particularly interested in taking a male character and having a woman play it. I think women are far more interesting than that,' Broccoli told Variety in 2020. Perhaps she knew something the rest of us didn't - or something we just weren't ready to admit: Women don't want to be James Bond. Not because we're content as his sexy sidekick, but because we want our own spy. The success of shows like Netflix's Black Doves and Paramount's Lioness suggest a female-led spy thriller isn't just palatable for audiences - it's satisfying a hunger for something new: a unique spy character created specifically for a woman. And while we're at it, let's make her more capable than Bond. After all, that reflects the reality on the ground. The best spies are those who operate in the shadows and avoid romantic entanglements with their adversaries - the antithesis of James Bond. Spies who are unassuming and underestimated. Delivering poison right under the noses of our greatest adversaries. Spies who are, dare I say, women? Christina Hillsberg is a former CIA intelligence officer and author of Agents of Change: The Women Who Transformed the CIA, published June 24.
News.com.au
11-05-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Amazon could make James Bond into a 'Marvel-style multiverse'
With Amazon's acquisition of MGM and the recent buyout of EON Productions, the once tightly controlled cinematic legacy of 007 is poised for an unprecedented expansion. As befits a Bond film, there is a ticking clock counting down. Not to an explosion, but perhaps something equally impactful: In 10 years Ian Fleming's superspy enters the public domain — so anyone will be able to make their own (legal) James Bond project. So get ready for Amazon to unleash a deluge of Bond-related content across every conceivable medium. This would a dramatic departure from the stewardship of EON Productions, which famously protected the franchise's exclusivity, producing a carefully curated series of 25 films over six decades. Amazon, by contrast, is expected to be (surprise, surprise) aggressive in the marketplace. With sole ownership of the franchise, the tech giant is likely to pursue a 'scorched earth' strategy: flooding the market with films, television shows, and spin-offs to cement its dominance and discourage competition once Fleming's works become public property. The end of EON's era For decades, EON Productions, led by Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, maintained an iron grip on Bond's cinematic legacy. Their deliberate approach sought to preserve Bond's prestige, releasing films only when the story and casting were deemed perfect. This cautious strategy created a sense of occasion with every new Bond instalment, and protected the brand from oversaturation. However, Amazon's corporate ethos differs sharply. With a business model that thrives on high churn of content and continuous engagement, the company is unlikely to adhere to EON's patient, film-centric philosophy, instead transforming Bond from a singular film series into a sprawling multimedia multiverse. Amazon's multiverse of Bond This approach would mirror the success of franchises like Marvel and DC, where multiple versions of the same character coexist across different films, television shows, and streaming platforms. For Bond fans, this could mean simultaneous projects featuring multiple actors portraying different versions of the iconic spy. Imagine a gritty, grounded Bond series on Amazon Prime exploring the origins of the 00 program, while a separate blockbuster film franchise continues the traditional globetrotting adventures. There could even be alternate universe Bonds — from a futuristic cyber-espionage take to a Cold War period piece faithful to Fleming's original novels. This multiverse approach would allow Amazon to cater to diverse audiences while maintaining a near-constant flow of Bond-related content. Such an approach also serves a strategic purpose. Once James Bond enters the public domain competitors could theoretically develop their own adaptations of Bond's original adventures. However, anything derived from the films or original characters not present in Fleming's novels — such as the iconic Aston Martin — remains under Amazon's copyright. By flooding the market with an array of distinctive Bond properties, Amazon would make it difficult for competitors to carve out their own space. A future of endless Bonds? With no legal restrictions preventing multiple Bonds at once, Amazon could leverage the franchise in several innovative ways: 1. Television spin-offs: High-budget Bond TV series could delve into backstories of fan-favourite characters like M, Q, or Felix Leiter, or explore the intricacies of MI6. 2. Competing bonds: Different Bonds providing fresh interpretations, while allowing global audiences to engage with the version of Bond that resonates most with them. 3. Event crossovers: In a move echoing comic-book multiverses, Amazon could stage crossover events, bringing different Bonds together on-screen. And if they experiment with the use of AI, fans could finally see Sean Connery's suave Bond face off against Daniel Craig's brooding agent — or their modern equivalents. 4. Animated series: Animated adaptations could bring Fleming's novels to life for younger audiences. Maybe even a tween or teen Bond? Risk vs. reward This approach is not without risks. Overexposure could dilute the Bond brand's mystique, transforming what was once an eagerly anticipated cinematic event into just another streaming option. Additionally, Amazon faces the challenge of maintaining Bond's core identity while updating the character across many iterations. Historically, the Bond franchise has thrived by evolving slowly. Too many Bond and Bond-adjacent projects could undermine the franchise's carefully crafted image and alienate long-time fans. Yet the rewards are potentially enormous. Amazon has already demonstrated its willingness to invest heavily in blockbuster properties, as evidenced by its billion-dollar Lord of the Rings series. By transforming Bond into a myriad of Bonds, Amazon is both protecting a lucrative asset and reinventing 007 for a whole new generation. Dr Darren Paul Fisher is the Head of Film, Screen and Creative Media at Bond University. An award-winning screenwriter, producer and director, Darren's first book ' Film as Argument ' will be released later this year.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Amazon plans for ‘drastic changes' to James Bond after new movie ‘gets release date'
Fans of 007 can expect a drastic change from the next James Bond if reports are to be believed. In February, it was announced that Amazon MGM had taken full creative control of the Bond franchise after striking a deal with long-time producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli. The duo remain co-owners of the franchise, but the business decision leaves creative control of future James Bond productions in the hands of American-owned Amazon, prompting concern from fans over potential changes to the beloved franchise. They were right to be concerned, it seems, with new reports emerging that Amazon bosses are planning dramatic changes to the format. According to The Sun, the next film will cast the youngest ever James Bond – and it will be set in the Fifties and Sixties. The publication reports that they are looking to cast an actor in their twenties. Referring to Daniel Craig's 007 death in No Time to Die, an insider told The Sun: 'As sensational as it was, Daniel's exit caused a headache because the death is still fresh in the minds of fans. 'They can't just pretend it didn't happen. So they're now looking at his story as a younger man in a different era.' The hunt for a new Bond to replace Craig has heated up in recent weeks, with rumours including Aaron Taylor-Johnson (34), Harris Dickinson (28) and James Norton (39). Taylor-Johnson, however, has since distanced himself from the claims. In terms of producers, Puck reports that David Heyman (Harry Potter) and Amy Pascal (Tom Holland's Spider-Man films) are in talks to develop the outing. This news follows shortly after reports emerged that production on the next James Bond film is underway after being 'fast-tracked' for release. According to The Sun, the film is expected to be in cinemas by the end of 2027, with a source stating: 'The Bond bosses had already proposed broad plots and reboot ideas. 'The writers' rooms are being assembled in the hope of recouping their investment ASAP.' Bond films are typically released in October and November. Amazon's acquisition of the Bond franchise is expected to lead to a series of spin-offs, but the source states the streaming giant 'knows fans want and expect a movie' and 'wants filming to be done by the end of next year'. When the film arrives, it will match the record for the longest time the world has had to wait for a new Bond film since Sean Connery first played the British spy in 1962's Dr No. The previous record was GoldenEye, which arrived in 1995 – six years after Timothy Dalton appeared in Licence to Kill.
The Independent
01-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Amazon plans for ‘drastic changes' to James Bond after new movie ‘gets release date'
Fans of 007 can expect a drastic change from the next James Bond if reports are to be believed. In February, it was announced that Amazon MGM had taken full creative control of the Bond franchise after striking a deal with long-time producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli. The duo remain co-owners of the franchise, but the business decision leaves creative control of future James Bond productions in the hands of American-owned Amazon, prompting concern from fans over potential changes to the beloved franchise. They were right to be concerned, it seems, with new reports emerging that Amazon bosses are planning dramatic changes to the format. According to The Sun, the next film will cast the youngest ever James Bond – and it will be set in the Fifties and Sixties. The publication reports that they are looking to cast an actor in their twenties. Referring to Daniel Craig's 007 death in No Time to Die, an insider told The Sun: 'As sensational as it was, Daniel's exit caused a headache because the death is still fresh in the minds of fans. 'They can't just pretend it didn't happen. So they're now looking at his story as a younger man in a different era.' The hunt for a new Bond to replace Craig has heated up in recent weeks, with rumours including Aaron Taylor-Johnson (34), Harris Dickinson (28) and James Norton (39). Taylor-Johnson, however, has since distanced himself from the claims. In terms of producers, Puck reports that David Heyman (Harry Potter) and Amy Pascal (Tom Holland's Spider-Man films) are in talks to develop the outing. This news follows shortly after reports emerged that production on the next James Bond film is underway after being 'fast-tracked' for release. According to The Sun, the film is expected to be in cinemas by the end of 2027, with a source stating: 'The Bond bosses had already proposed broad plots and reboot ideas. 'The writers' rooms are being assembled in the hope of recouping their investment ASAP.' Bond films are typically released in October and November. Amazon's acquisition of the Bond franchise is expected to lead to a series of spin-offs, but the source states the streaming giant 'knows fans want and expect a movie' and 'wants filming to be done by the end of next year'. When the film arrives, it will match the record for the longest time the world has had to wait for a new Bond film since Sean Connery first played the British spy in 1962's Dr No. The previous record was GoldenEye, which arrived in 1995 – six years after Timothy Dalton appeared in Licence to Kill.
