/indigomusic/media/media_files/2025/06/25/tony-gilroy-reveals-that-he-steven-soderbergh-had-a-james-bond-pitch-they-took-to-barbara-broccoli-2025-06-25-09-09-19.jpg)
Photograph: (Image Courtesy: The Playlist)
‘Andor’ creator Tony Gilroy has shared his thoughts on the James Bond franchise, suggesting that its biggest weakness in recent years has been the lack of a compelling villain. Speaking on The Rogue Ones podcast, Gilroy reflected on a past pitch he and director Steven Soderbergh had made for a Bond film that would have taken the character back to his 1960s roots.
Gilroy shared that he and Soderbergh had imagined a stylish, black-and-white Bond film set in Carnaby Street, with a relatively modest budget of approximately $30 million. However, their proposal didn’t move forward, reportedly due to the reluctance of long-time Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson to relinquish creative control.
/filters:format(webp)/indigomusic/media/media_files/2025/06/25/the-bond-franchise-2025-06-25-09-10-02.png)
He also revealed that, in a separate attempt to develop a Bond project, he had a strong antagonist in mind — possibly adapted from another film — but the idea never materialised. Gilroy claimed that the franchise’s inability to deliver an effective villain in recent instalments has been its biggest creative hurdle, arguing that everything else would fall into place with a properly written adversary.
In a major shift, Broccoli and Wilson have since stepped back from hands-on involvement, with Amazon MGM Studios now overseeing the Bond property. This marks the end of more than six decades of Broccoli family stewardship over the films. Amy Pascal and David Heyman — best known for producing the ‘Spider-Man’ and ‘Harry Potter’ franchises — are reportedly in the running to take over leadership of the Bond series.
Bond’s Future: Fan Concerns, Retro Reboot Rumours, and Boyle’s Regret
Some Bond fans have expressed concern over the franchise’s move to Amazon, fearing it could lead to over-commercialisation and uninspired spin-offs. Meanwhile, British actor Daniel Mays recently echoed rumours that the series could be rebooted with a younger actor and a throwback setting. He noted that plans might involve returning to the 1960s aesthetic, complete with vintage cars and retro vibes.
Elsewhere, director Danny Boyle recently reflected on his decision to walk away from helming ‘No Time to Die’, calling it one of his biggest creative regrets.
