Daniel Craig Shares Appreciation for James Bond Producers as They Step Back from Franchise
Daniel Craig has expressed his admiration and respect for James Bond producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli as they announce their departure from the franchise.
In an exclusive statement to Variety, Craig, who portrayed the iconic spy in five successful films, said, "My respect, admiration, and love for Barbara and Michael remain constant and undiminished." He went on to wish Wilson a "long, relaxing (and well-deserved) retirement" and expressed his hope to collaborate with Broccoli on future projects.
Amazon MGM, Wilson, and Broccoli have formed a joint venture to house the James Bond intellectual property rights. The trio will share ownership, but Amazon MGM will assume creative control over upcoming projects. Amazon, which acquired MGM in 2021, previously held distribution rights for James Bond films but had limited involvement in artistic decisions.
Wilson, who has co-written and produced several Bond films, has announced his retirement from Hollywood. "With my 007 career spanning nearly 60 incredible years, I am stepping back from producing the James Bond films to focus on art and charitable projects," he said.
Broccoli, meanwhile, plans to continue working in the film industry but will prioritize other projects. "My life has been dedicated to maintaining and building upon the extraordinary legacy that was handed to Michael and me by our father, producer Cubby Broccoli," she said. "With the conclusion of 'No Time to Die' and Michael retiring from the films, I feel it is time to focus on my other projects."
The announcement marks a significant change for the James Bond franchise, which has been under Wilson and Broccoli's leadership for decades. Their departure has sparked speculation about the future direction of the series, but official announcements are yet to be made.