Shaken, not stirred, and now in new hands. After decades under the careful watch of Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, the James Bond franchise is preparing for its next chapter at Amazon MGM Studios with new producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman, who are tasked with steering 007 into uncharted territory. It marks the first time since the 1960s that someone outside the Broccoli family has taken creative control of the iconic spy series.
Per Deadline, Pascal will produce through her banner, Pascal Pictures, while Heyman will oversee the project via Heyday Films. Both are no strangers to blockbuster territory. Pascal helped revitalise Sony’s Spider-Man franchise, guiding it to multibillion-dollar success with Tom Holland’s trilogy and producing the Oscar-winning Spider-Verse films. Heyman, meanwhile, was the architect behind the Harry Potter juggernaut and the Fantastic Beasts spin-offs. Their combined experience with globally successful franchises makes them a logical choice for Bond’s next phase, even as fans continue to speculate about what exactly that will look like.
Amazon MGM has not confirmed whether Pascal and Heyman will remain attached beyond the upcoming feature. Still, their appointment signals a definitive shift in the studio’s ambitions for the franchise. In announcing the move, Amazon MGM’s film head Courtenay Valenti emphasised the weight of the transition, “We are approaching every creative decision with James Bond, which Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson have so masterfully steered, with the greatest sense of responsibility. Part of an elite group of producers who have developed and managed massive film franchises to box office success and critical acclaim, Amy Pascal and David Heyman are two of the most accomplished, experienced, and respected film producers in our industry. We are honored to be working with them on James Bond’s next chapter and are excited to deliver to global audiences storytelling that upholds the impeccable legacy of this beloved character.”
Both producers echoed the sentiment in a joint statement, “James Bond is one of the most iconic characters in the history of cinema. We are humbled to follow in the footsteps of Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson who made so many extraordinary films and honored and excited to keep the spirit of Bond very much alive as he embarks on his next adventure.”
Both Pascal and Heyman are currently juggling high-profile projects. Pascal recently produced Challengers, starring Zendaya, and continues work on future Spider-Verse titles. Heyman is deep into pre-production on HBO’s Harry Potter television reboot and is also wrapping up Klara and the Sun, a sci-fi adaptation directed by Taika Waititi and starring Jenna Ortega and Amy Adams. The pair are also collaborating on Jay Kelly, a Noah Baumbach film headlined by George Clooney and Adam Sandler.
As the world waits to see who will next order a martini or drive the Aston Martin, Bond’s future seems poised to evolve under new leadership. What remains unchanged is the weight of legacy — and the pressure to deliver a film worthy of the name.
Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, and anime — you name it. When she’s not reading or being a dedicated cinephile, she’s probably playing gacha and tabletop games, or daydreaming of Caleb from Love and Deepspace.
Kevin Low
