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

While speculation abounds about a potential Bond TV series, Variety reports that a new Bond film remains Amazon's top priority. Their initial focus will reportedly be on securing a new producer. David Heyman, known for his cohesive vision behind the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films, is allegedly the type of producer Amazon seeks.

The report also claims that Christopher Nolan expressed interest in directing a Bond film after Tenet, but Broccoli, maintaining her then-unyielding control over the franchise, refused, stating no director would have final cut while she was in charge. Nolan subsequently directed Oppenheimer, a nearly $1 billion global box office success that garnered numerous accolades, including Best Picture and Best Director Oscars.

The question of the next Bond actor remains a hot topic. While names like Tom Hardy (Venom), Idris Elba (MCU), James McAvoy (Professor X), Michael Fassbender (Magneto), and Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Kraven)—previously rumored as a frontrunner—are frequently mentioned, Henry Cavill (Superman, The Witcher) is a clear fan favorite.

According to Variety, Amazon is unable to make any casting decisions until the completion of its acquisition of the Broccoli-Wilson deal, expected sometime this year. This follows reports of a tense stalemate between the Broccoli family and Amazon, leaving the future of the James Bond franchise temporarily uncertain.

The conflict stems from Barbara Broccoli’s previous control over creative aspects, including actor selection, and Amazon's newly acquired rights after its $8.45 billion purchase of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 2021. The Wall Street Journal described the situation as an "ugly" impasse, leaving the Bond franchise in a state of limbo.

Amazon and Eon Productions have yet to publicly comment.