Former James Bond Timothy Dalton has branded the sale of the film franchise to Amazon as 'Sad' – while he says that the next actor to play 007 should be British.
Dalton, who played as the Super-Spy in the living daylight and license to kill, has become the last to express concerning concern about the new takeover just announced.
For a long time bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson revealed last week that they handed in creative control to streaming Gigant Amazon, founded by tech billionaire Jeff Bezos.
The couple is the daughter and stepson of Albert 'Cubby' Broccoli who launched the British Spy -Franchise in 1962.
They remain co-owners, but fans and former Bond film stars have expressed concern about how the future of the legendary 007 series will take place.
The most recent Bond film No Time to that was released in 2021 and there has still been no decision about who Daniel Craig will follow in the lead role.
Dalton, now 78, is one of only seven actors who portray Bond on the silver screen – together with Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Pierce Brosnan and Craig, while David Niven could be seen in one unofficial, non -on production film.
The actor born in Welsh, whose recent credits include playing Princess Margaret's ex-lover Peter Townsend in drama series The Crown, has now expressed the Amazon agreement that Bond lovers disrupted.
Timothy Dalton, can be seen here at James Bond in 1989 Film License To Kill, described the new sale of the 007 franchise to stream Giant Amazon as 'Sad'
Dalton, who played the super-spy in license to kill (photo) as well as the Living Daylights from 1987, has also insisted that the next actor should remain in the lead role British
The Welsh born in Welsh, now 78, played an license to kill next to 'Bond Girl' Lowell Carey
There were concern among James Bond -fans about the new deal with Amazon, whose Chief Executive and founder billionaire Jeff Bezos is (depicted in California in September 2012)
Asked about the fears that are expressed, he told the Telegraph: 'I also think it is sad. Barbara is one of the best women in the world. I think they are fantastic.
'Everyone has an opinion around a Bond film. That tends to make a little less special, but if you stick to people who know what they do and know what they want, then it will be sharpening and being good. Barbara had that.
'I have no idea what Amazon would do with it, and I have no idea what the relationship of Amazon will be with the broccolis.
“But it's a damn beautiful series of films. I looked at it when I was young, we were all. It has been a part of our lives, so everything it threatens is a bit sad. '
And about the subject or the next actor chose the leading role created in the novels of Ian Fleming should be British, Dalton insisted: “I would agree.
'It is one of the few wonderful stories that we have in film that is British. The leading character is British. We can call it our own.
'Yes. Yes. Because that's where it was born, that's what the stories are. Certainly. One hundred percent. '
Yet he has expressed some optimism for what the future could entail for the bond franchise under the new regime-led regime.
Timothy Dalton, depicted on the Los Angeles -Première of TV series 1923 on February 19, said about the Bond films: 'It is one of the few wonderful stories we have in film that is British' '
Producer Barbara Broccoli, 64, checked the Bond films for 30 years after she took over from her father – Dalton gave her a tribute as 'one of the best women in the world'
Dalton, whose most recent work includes the US Western Drama TV series 1923, said about the prospects of 007: 'Everyone who has something to do with it works very hard to make it a hit. Amazon is quite able to make it a hit, I should think. '
Actors who were thought to be in the race to succeed Craig as Bond, include Bookmakers' favorite James Norton, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Harris Dickinson and Theo James.
Previous candidates have long been said that they include Tom Hardy and Idris Elba, although some critics have suggested that both are now too old for the role.
The acclaimed casting director Debbie McWilliams, who has released the last 13 Bond films – who brought Dalton, Brosnan and Daniel Craig to the role – has now stopped after the creative control of the films had been sold to Amazon.
McWilliams, who had worked with Bond producers for more than 40 years, told the film Bible Screen International: 'I wish everyone good luck and hope that the transition can be relatively painless. But it won't be the same. '
There is also a return on social media with claims that could follow the Bond brand to follow other iconic franchises that have been bought out by entertainment giants.
In 2012, Disney Star Wars owner Lucasfilm took over for £ 3.2 billion and has since launched a series of new films, series and animated spin-offs.
The new deal with Amazon MGM Studios could possibly open the door for very popular bond characters who get their own series – including Q, the quartermaster of MI6 who delivers 007 with his gadgets, Moneypenny, Bond's Secretary, and M, the head of Mi6 and Bond's boss.
Michael G Wilson (left), Daniel Craig (center) and Barbara Broccoli (right) all say goodbye to the franchise
The next James Bond has yet to be announced, but actors James Norton (left) and Aaron Taylor-Johnson (right) are currently the favorites of the Bookmakers
Legendary casting agent Debbie McWilliams (photo) – who found the last three bonds – announced her departure after the creative control over the films was sold to Amazon
Mrs. McWilliams has been James Bond Casting Director for more than 40 years in 13 films and was responsible for choosing Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig
One user in mourning at 007 made his feelings clear and posted: 'Rip James Bond. Amazon will destroy a large franchise, as Disney Star Wars has destroyed. '
Another X user, Mike Beauvais, suggested that the Amazon takeover would lead to a loss of quality control and an endless stream of follow -up.
Former Bond actress Valerie Leon, who appeared next to Roger Moore in the spy that loved me and with Sean Connery in Never Say Never again, said about ITV's Good Morning Britain: “I think it is madness, absolute madness.
'I think it's really very sad that Amazon does this. The bond franchise was very British and it will no longer be. '
Mrs. Broccoli, 64, and 83-year-old Mr. Wilson announced the new Amazon deal last week that formed a new joint venture to accommodate the intellectual property rights of the film ownership
Since the acquisition of MGM for £ 5 billion in 2022, Amazon has held the rights to distribute all bond films and the huge catalog of MGM with more than 4,000 films and 17,000 TV programs.
The new agreement gives Amazon Creative Control of the Bond franchise.
Mr. Wilson said the announcement of his departure: 'With my 007 career of almost 60 incredible years, I step back from producing the James Bond films to concentrate on art and charity projects.
Daniel Craig had been playing James Bond for more than a decade, but announced that he was resigning from the role after filming of 2021's no time to that – his successor has yet to be revealed
James Bond author Ian Fleming wrote 14 books in the series, including Casino Royale, Diamonds are forever and from Russia with love
“That's why, Barbara and I agree, it's time for our familiar partner, Amazon MGM Studios, to lead James Bond to the future.”
Mrs. Broccoli added: 'My life is dedicated to maintaining and building on the extraordinary inheritance that was handed over by our father, producer Cubby Broccoli, to Michael and me.
'I had the honor of working closely with four of the enormously talented actors who played 007 and thousands of beautiful artists in the industry.
“With the conclusion of no time to Die and Michael who withdraws from the films, I think it's time to concentrate on my other projects.”
Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, said in a statement: 'We are grateful for the late Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman for bringing James Bond to film theaters around the world, and to Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli for their unyielding dedication and their role in continuing the inheritance of the franchise that is cherished By legions of fans worldwide.
“We are honored to continue this cherished heritage and look forward to reading in the next phase of the legendary 007 for the public all over the world.”
