Everyone was left breathless when they saw their beloved hero die with an official funeral in the last “James Bond” film starring Daniel Craig as 007. Fans spoke of an unimaginable twist in the franchise’s history and the final blow after years of the British spy’s transformation into a depressed romantic. The creators of the James Bond franchise hurried to reassure audiences by writing in bold letters after the credits: “James Bond will return.”

Now, four years later, the franchise has passed into the hands of Jeff Bezos, official owner of Amazon-MGM. For the first time since the Broccoli dynasty succumbed to the lure of a massive deal, Bezos will have the leading say—whatever that may entail. As many fear that Bond’s stoic profile might undergo drastic changes, the question arises: how legitimate is it to morph the British spy into a superhero, according to the new standards Amazon is promoting?

Changing of the Guard

If it’s hard to imagine James Bond drinking a non-alcoholic cocktail, it’s just as hard to believe the new hero will be in his twenties and follow Gen Z trends. Yet with the franchise now controlled by Bezos, it’s clear the new James Bond will not only be younger in age but will also adopt a different style to suit a more youthful audience.

This historic shift mainly stems from iconic producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson stepping back. Having overseen the project for decades and knowing every detail of the character and his reactions, they are no longer in charge. Concerns over Bond’s new profile after their departure are running high, as seen in Variety and YouTube’s The Bond Experience channel.

What the New Plans Say

Bond experts—always wary of changes to their favorite character—argue that the stoic Brit can’t have anything in common with Marvel superheroes or the youthful aesthetic of the later Star Wars films, which clearly shifted audience demographics.

New producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman, in announcing the radical changes that will mark the return and resurrection of the new hero, stated:

“James Bond is one of the most iconic characters in cinema history. We’re grateful for the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson, who made incredible films. We feel truly honored and genuinely excited to keep Bond’s spirit alive as he prepares for his next adventure.”

Still, this is far from a clear guarantee that the hero’s essence will remain unchanged. Pascal was brought in because of her knack for rebooting classic superheroes in a more (post)modern way. She was behind the youthful spin of the recent Spider-Man series, aimed at attracting younger audiences. She also worked on The Chronicles of Narnia and was involved in the much-discussed, albeit commercially disappointing, Barbie film, which included more moral messaging than many teens could digest.

Now she hopes to bring a similar post-Bond freshness to the franchise, modernizing the hero’s profile. Her partner in this is producer David Heyman, best known for the hugely successful Harry Potter film series, Gravity, and the unexpected hit Once Upon a Time in… Hollywood—soon to get a sequel, though not by Tarantino.

Their modern vision naturally led them to seek a director beyond the usual suspects. Previous director Sam Mendes had a cinephile approach, but a different take was now needed. Unsurprisingly, their top choice was Denis Villeneuve.

Strictly for 20-Year-Olds

Canadian director Denis Villeneuve, despite being 57, is seen as the perfect choice to reboot Bond. He has shown he understands what younger audiences want—without sacrificing quality. His films are filled with suspense and substance, offering the cinematic atmosphere that fans of sophisticated adventure crave.

His love for futuristic stories and strange worlds led him to Blade Runner 2049, a sequel to Ridley Scott’s iconic film. It was a risky move that paid off, staying true to the original characters and ambiance. This formula, as proven with Blade Runner and Dune, could help revive James Bond for both loyal fans and newer audiences. His sci-fi affinity turned the Dune films into favorites among tech freaks, who saw in them a futuristic universe they had long envisioned—making Villeneuve their favorite director.

Asked why he would take on such a different project with British identity and history, Villeneuve said:

“My earliest memories of cinema are tied to 007. I grew up watching Bond movies with my father, from Dr. No with Sean Connery to today. I’m a die-hard fan, and for me, James Bond is sacred.”
He added that his goal is to honor the tradition while opening new paths for the legendary spy’s future missions.

The Watch Brand

For now, Villeneuve is busy with Dune: Part Three and an epic Cleopatra project, meaning Bond’s return won’t be immediate. Still, he is actively involved as co-producer—not only with the film’s launch but also in selecting the next actor to portray the iconic hero. Names currently in the mix include Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Tom Holland, Jacob Elordi, and Harris Dickinson, with Taylor-Johnson as the current front-runner.

While Broccoli had previously stated Bond should be younger than the now-50-year-old Craig but not under 30, the new producers insist Bond must be nearly… beardless—meaning in his twenties—so he can directly resonate with the Amazon and Marvel generation.

Although all four candidates seem equally likely, some claim a recent watch commercial gave a clue about who the lead contender might be—suggesting one remains at the top of the list.

According to a recent report by Variety, the top current picks are Tom Holland, Jacob Elordi, and Harris Dickinson, who are overtaking Taylor-Johnson due to his age, following the producers’ remarks about lowering the age limit.

Elordi has risen to the top after HBO’s Euphoria, combining British style—thanks to his education and Australian heritage—with the sex appeal crucial for a charismatic spy like Bond. He also proved his action chops with Pirates of the Caribbean, and his versatility with his Elvis portrayal in Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis.

However, Elordi’s biggest competitor is Tom Holland, already tested in the superhero role of Spider-Man and praised for his work ethic by director Christopher Nolan.

The Audience Pushes Back

As for Dickinson, his candidacy seems less likely since Sam Mendes is expected to direct him in an upcoming Beatles film series, leaving little time for Bond. Finally, Taylor-Johnson—the once-favored Broccoli pick—is still in the race, but his chances seem diminished due to the producers’ preference for a younger Bond.

Still, the money he received from Omega, a key James Bond sponsor, raises suspicions that his candidacy may already be a done deal.

A recent informal poll by Britain’s Daily Mail, however, suggests the public is more disapproving than supportive of the four leading Bond contenders.

Nonetheless, everyone agrees: the frenzy over who will be the next Bond is just another form of brilliant marketing for a franchise that has never wasted its money—even if it chose to kill off its beloved, immortal hero.