James Bond Producers Allegedly Turned Down Christopher Nolan, Who Ended Up Making Oppenheimer Instead

Following the surprising news that Amazon has assumed full creative control of the James Bond franchise, with longtime producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson stepping aside, a new report details the next steps—and reveals a surprising rejection of a high-profile director.

While speculation swirls about a potential Bond TV series, Variety reports that a new Bond film remains Amazon's top priority. The next step, according to the report, involves finding a new producer. David Heyman, known for his cohesive vision behind the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films, is reportedly the type of producer Amazon is seeking.

The report also alleges that Christopher Nolan expressed interest in directing a Bond film after Tenet, but Broccoli, maintaining her then-existing control, refused, stating that no director would have final cut authority under her leadership. Nolan subsequently directed Oppenheimer, a nearly $1 billion global box office success that garnered numerous accolades, including Best Picture and Best Director Oscars.

Fan speculation about the next Bond is rampant. While names like Tom Hardy (Venom), Idris Elba (MCU), James McAvoy (Professor X), Michael Fassbender (Magneto), and Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Kraven)—previously rumored to be a frontrunner—are frequently mentioned, Henry Cavill (Superman, The Witcher) appears to be the clear fan favorite.

According to Variety, Amazon cannot begin hiring for the Bond role until the conclusion of its deal with Broccoli and Wilson, expected sometime this year. This news follows reports of a standstill between the Broccoli family and Amazon, described as an “ugly” stalemate that has left the future of the franchise temporarily on hold.

The conflict stems from Barbara Broccoli's previous retention of creative control, including casting decisions for the iconic British spy, clashing with Amazon's acquisition of the rights to release Bond films following its $8.45 billion purchase of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 2021. This power struggle, as reported by the Wall Street Journal, has effectively stalled the franchise.

Amazon and Eon Productions have yet to comment publicly.