Christopher Nolan Tried to Make a JAMES BOND Movie and Was Shut Down: A Missed Opportunity for the Franchise

Christopher Nolan directing a James Bond film should have been a no-brainer. The Oscar-winning filmmaker has long expressed his admiration for the franchise, and his cinematic style, intricate storytelling, practical effects, and large-scale action seems tailor-made for 007.

But when he showed interest in helming a Bond movie after Tenet, he was swiftly shut down by franchise producer Barbara Broccoli. And that was a massive mistake.

According to a recent report on Amazon's growing control over MGM and the Bond franchise, Nolan “expressed interest” in directing a Bond film after he made Tenet. However, he walked away from it when it became clear that Broccoli “made clear that no director would have final cut” as long as she was in charge.

Nolan, known for having full creative control on his films, understandably wasn't willing to compromise. Broccoli’s “too cautious and exerted outsize control” over Bond’s future just got in the way of making smart decisions.

Since Daniel Craig’s tenure ended with No Time to Die, development on Bond 26 has been sluggish, reportedly frustrating Amazon, which shelled out $8.5 billion to acquire MGM.

Nolan has never been shy about his Bond aspirations. In past interviews, he said, “It would be an amazing privilege to do one. At the same time, when you take on a character like that you’re working with a particular set of constraints.”

He elaborated further, explaining, “It has to be the right moment in your creative life where you can express what you want to express and really burrow into something within the appropriate constraints because you would never want to take on something like that and do it wrong.”

His conversations with Broccoli and longtime Bond producer Michael G. Wilson have happened over the years, and in regard that that Nolan said:

“I’ve spoken to the producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson over the years. I deeply love the character, and I’m always excited to see what they do with it.

“Maybe one day that would work out. You’d have to be needed, if you know what I mean. It has to need reinvention; it has to need you. And they’re getting along very well.”

For a while, it seemed like Bond 26 might actually go to Nolan. Reports claimed that EON and Amazon were pushing hard for him, and he was interested… if they met his creative demands.

Rumors suggested EON wanted to reboot Bond entirely, returning to classic Ian Fleming novels with period-accurate adaptations. The idea was for Nolan to direct three films and serve as an executive producer for the franchise’s future. But if they couldn’t land him? “Back to the drawing board.”

Then, earlier this month, Broccoli and Wilson agreed to share ownership rights of the Bond franchise with Amazon, giving them the final say on creative decisions, which is something that was previously unheard of.

Meanwhile, Nolan moved on. He followed Tenet with Oppenheimer, which dominated the Oscars, winning Best Picture and Best Director. Now, he’s tackling The Odyssey with another star-studded cast, set for release next summer.

This entire situation is a colossal missed opportunity. Nolan’s filmmaking style align perfectly with what Bond needs right now: a fresh, yet reverent, approach. He understands spectacle, he knows action, and most importantly, he gets Bond.

I have no doubt that his take on the franchise would have been an awesome and thrilling moving going experience.