Former James Bond villain Jonathan Pryce has urged Amazon to bring back 007’s witty humour.
The 77-year-old British actor played megalomaniac media mogul Elliot Carver, in the 1997 Bond film ‘Tomorrow Never Dies’, starring opposite Pierce Brosnan as the secret agent.
Pryce has noted that the newer Bond films - the most recent of which was 2021's 'No Time To Die' starring Daniel Craig as 007 - were admirable action pictures but hopes that Amazon MGM Studios will bring back the signature tongue-in-cheek gags from the early films that starred Sean Connery and Roger Moore as Bond.
In an exclusive interview with BANG Showbiz at 'The Penguin Lessons' UK premiere in London on Thursday night (03.04.25), he said: "The recent ones have been great films. They've been great action films, but I think they lost some of the sense of humour that was in the early films. So I’d like them to get back to that.
”Whatever they want to do is fine, but I think for those who really care about James Bond, they should preserve that sense of humour.”
Amazon MGM Studios acquired creative control of the James Bond franchise, after its long-time producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson ceded control.
Amy Pascal and David Heyman will be leading the series as the new producers and Amazon MGM's head of Film, Streaming and Theatrical, Courtenay Valenti, and global marketing chief Sue Kroll took to the stage at CinemaCon to give fans an update on their plans for James Bond.
As reported by Deadline, Valenti said: "We are committed to honouring the legacy of this iconic character, while bringing a fresh, exhilarating new chapter to audiences around the world alongside Amy and David."
Pryce's latest role see him play a headteacher in 'The Penguin Lessons' which is based on Tom Michell's 2016 memoir which documents the British teacher's move to a boarding school in Argentina in 1976 and how his life and the school are transformed by an orphaned penguin he rescues from an oil slick on a beach.
The film was shot in Spain and stars Steve Coogan as Tom as well as real life penguins as Tom's unusual pet.
Pryce was recently nominated for a BAFTA for his role as David Cartwright in the Apple TV original series ‘Slow Horses’ and he is delighted that the show, as well as himself, are getting the recognition they deserve.
Discussing the nomination at the premiere of 'The Penguin Lessons' at the Curzon Mayfair, Pryce said: "I’m feeling good. It's a show that I'm really proud of. I think it's great. I think everyone in it is great. The production is great. I'm glad it's getting the recognition it deserves.”
