Christopher Nolan was 'turned down' from directing James Bond after making one request

Hearing the names ‘Christopher Nolan’ and ‘James Bond’ in the same sentence is enough to get any film fan giddy with excitement.

But it seems just hearing that will be as far as it gets for now, as the director was reportedly turned down from directing the next 007 movie.

And it was apparently due to a specific request he made.

You can’t deny that the idea of the Oppenheimer and Interstellar creator working on a Bond flick would be a dream – something that seems to have also been an interest of Nolan.

Last week, it was announced that Amazon MGM had gained full creative control of the legendary British franchise with long-serving producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson stepping back from producing future films.

We might've had a Nolan Bond. ( Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for DGA)

Still remaining as co-owners, it’s well known that until now, Broccoli kept tight control of the world of James Bond.

And that seems to be what blocked our chance of having Nolan direct one of the movies.

Sources claimed to Variety that The Dark Knight director expressed interest in having a go with a Bond film following the release of 2020’s Tenet.

But he also wanted to have final cut over the project, which was an absolute no-go for the producers.

Broccoli reportedly made it ‘clear that no director would have final cut while Bond was under her purview’. Instead, the next Bond film ended up being directed by Carj Joji Fukunaga – 2021’s No Time to Die.

As we all know, the final-cut director ended up making Oppenheimer as his Tenet follow up, scooping best picture at the Oscars and racking in nearly $1 billion at the global box office.

Bond has new producers after decades. (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer)

However, who knows, now maybe Broccoli has handed over that creative control, fans could speculate Nolan may have another shot at giving us his take on Bond.

Following the announcement over the producers stepping down from their positions with the franchise, Bond star Daniel Craig released an emotional statement.

“My respect, admiration and love for Barbara and Michael remain constant and undiminished,” the five-time lead actor told The Hollywood Reporter.

He continued: “I wish Michael a long, relaxing (and well-deserved) retirement and whatever ventures Barbara goes on to do, I know they will be spectacular and I hope I can be part of them.”

And Broccoli said in a statement: “I have had the honour of working closely with four of the tremendously talented actors who have played 007 and thousands of wonderful artists within the industry.

"With the conclusion of No Time to Die and Michael retiring from the films, I feel it is time to focus on my other projects.”

LADbible has contacted Nolan’s reps for comment.