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

Following the surprising announcement of Amazon's acquisition of full creative control over the James Bond franchise, with the long-standing producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson stepping aside, a recent report offers insights into the franchise's future plans – and a surprising revelation about a prominent director who was passed over.

While speculation abounds regarding 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 securing a new producer. Amazon is reportedly seeking a producer with a strong, cohesive vision, similar to that of David Heyman, known for his work on the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts franchises.

The report also claims that Christopher Nolan expressed interest in directing a Bond film following Tenet, but Broccoli, maintaining her firm stance against any director having final cut while she oversaw the franchise, declined his offer. Nolan subsequently directed Oppenheimer, a box-office behemoth that grossed nearly $1 billion globally and garnered numerous accolades, including Oscars for Best Picture and Best Director.

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

According to Variety, Amazon is currently unable to make any casting decisions until the completion of its acquisition of the Broccoli-Wilson deal, expected later this year. This follows reports of a tense standoff between the Broccoli family and Amazon, leaving the future of the franchise temporarily uncertain. The Wall Street Journal described the situation as an "ugly" stalemate, with Bond's future effectively "on pause."

Neither Amazon nor Eon Productions have yet commented publicly.