James Bond Franchise Producer Will Adapt ‘Othello’

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Barbara Broccoli, the producer famous for the James Bond films, is starting a new movie project through her recent deal with Amazon, which now controls the Bond franchise. After years of leading the 007 series, Broccoli is moving onto a different story: an adaptation of William Shakespeare’s play, Othello.

According to Deadline, a movie adaptation of Shakespeare’s Othello has received funding and is planned to begin filming in Qatar in late 2026. Producer Barbara Broccoli has been developing this project since her 2016 stage production of the play. The film will draw inspiration from the changes made in that production, which updated the setting from 17th-century Venice to the Iraq War, focusing on American soldiers. Broccoli revealed plans for the movie during a talk about creative producing.

I’ve been hoping to turn our 2016 New York stage production of Othello into a film ever since. I’m thrilled that David Oyelowo is directing and returning as Othello, alongside Rachel Brosnahan as Desdemona and Cynthia Erivo as Emilia. We’re grateful for the Film Committee’s support and plan to film in Qatar in the fall of 2026.

Sam Gold directed the stage version of the play, while David Oyelowo, known for his role in Selma, will direct the movie. This project will be Oyelowo’s second time directing a feature film, following the 2020 fantasy The Water Man. Producer Barbara Broccoli announced that Rachel Brosnahan, who played Lois Lane in Superman, will reprise her role as Desdemona, and Cynthia Erivo, from Wicked, will play Emilia, Desdemona’s maid. Oyelowo himself made a surprise appearance to help Broccoli reveal the project.

Our film version of Othello is both strikingly contemporary and boldly reimagined. To achieve that vision, we needed actors willing to take risks. Cynthia is an exceptionally gifted performer and someone I truly enjoy working with, and Rachel was wonderful to collaborate with in our first stage production. She’s been a fantastic source of inspiration as we create this new adaptation of the classic story.

What does James Bond’s future look like at Amazon?


Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Now that Daniel Craig has finished playing James Bond, the search is on for a new actor to take on the role. Several names, including Jack O’Connell, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Jacob Elordi, have been mentioned as possibilities, but nothing is official. Plans for the next Bond film are still being developed.

Earlier this year, director Denis Villeneuve, famous for films like Dune and Blade Runner 2049, was confirmed to direct the next James Bond movie, which will be a fresh start for the series. Steven Knight, who created Peaky Blinders and See, is writing the script, but details are still secret. Despite the impressive team involved, some fans are worried because longtime producer Barbara Broccoli is taking a step back. Adding to the concern, rumors suggest Amazon’s Jeff Bezos is hoping his girlfriend, Lauren Sánchez, will be cast as a Bond girl. While much remains unconfirmed, a new James Bond film is definitely in development. Broccoli also seems to be successfully expanding her production work beyond the Bond franchise, with a new adaptation of Othello leading the way.

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2025-11-24 14:52