It is no secret that ex-Superman Henry Cavill always had his eyes on playing the popular fan-favorite James Bond. Also, Christopher Nolan grabbed headlines as many speculated that the acclaimed director was up for directing a James Bond movie.
The speculation remained, a new James Bond update still making room for Nolan to direct a 007 movie, or perhaps a franchise, but what about Cavill’s long-time dream role? As Ian Fleming’s original James Bond novels will be in the public domain in several countries by 2035, it’s hard to imagine Cavill taking up the spot for the titular character.
Also read: Upcoming Movie May Be a Threat to Henry Cavill’s James Bond Dreams
James Bond Will Be in Public Domain in 2035, What Does It Mean?
The power of picking up 007 without any lawsuit would be the primary concern for EON Productions as the novel series would be available for anyone to grab by 2035. Different potential versions of Bond from different countries may hit the screens, big screens or streamers, or perhaps a few shows, but that would be beyond EON Productions’ official spy universe.
But it would not be similar to Charlie Chaplin’s works entering the public domain. Bond expert and franchise insider Mark O’Connell spoke to express.co.uk regarding that.
“There is scant revenue potential in remaking Animal Crackers for a modern-day studio trying to work its way through the streaming era. And that is why 007 is very different. As Bond’s movie producers EON Productions and MGM Amazon Studios team up post-Daniel Craig and his literary advocates Ian Fleming Publications pointedly reprint the original novels for newer readers, both houses are no doubt wholly mindful of what 2035 could mean for the property. Amazon Studios would not have ignored that caveat when taking on the MGM catalogue and its golden poster boy 007 in March 2022,” O’Connell said.
Several actors have played the character with utter grace and it has a long history with actors including Timothy Dalton, Roger Moore, Sean Connery, Pierce Brosnan, and of course, Daniel Craig played the MI6 agent for 16 years.
Also read: “I probably could have prepared better”: Henry Cavill Blames Himself for Losing $7.8B Role
The Future of James Bond Movies
Now, as Bond is set to move to the public domain, what would be the future of the glorious franchise under EON Productions and MGM Amazon Studios? Also, the likes of Henry Cavill playing the role would be very slim. If some studios may think of casting him, arguably, he would be too old to play 007.
But Christopher Nolan would have all the space and time for his version of a James Bond franchise. Regardless, a post-Craig James Bond franchise is far ahead as there is no report of another franchise, and the clock is ticking with just over a decade left for EON Productions and MGM Amazon Studios.
“Less maybe an ominous ticking clock and maybe more a gilded memo on the fridge door, the possible movie future of Bond will be fully mindful of the eleven years left on the original clock. Daniel Craig alone was in the role for sixteen years. But just like timers on deadly explosives in Bond movies, clocks can be reset,” O’Connell told the outlet.
However, “with the ex-lawyer Michael G. Wilson still with his producing name above Bond’s metaphorical door” It is not in the straight line to “assume that someone will just ring a bell at midnight on New Year’s Eve 2034 with a ‘Time Commander Bond, please!’ shout-out and the keys to the DB5 are thrown in the air for anyone to catch.”
Regardless, it would be fair to assume that Cavill is out of the picture even in 2035, but there is every bit of possibility that the actor might end up playing a Bond villain.
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