Is 007 getting a Mad Men makeover? Bond set to return to the Sixties as film bosses make a play for the creator of hit US series
- Mad Men's Matthew Weiner could give the next movie a retro reimagining
- Producers want to take the series back to its roots with Weiner on board
- The £4 billion franchise will be given the overhaul after Craig's Departure
James Bond is set to return to its original time period of the swinging Sixties with the possibility of TV's award-winning Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner at the helm.
MGM producers have asked Weiner to come on board to bring a sense of nostalgia to the next blockbuster, in contrast to the recent Daniel Craig movies which take place in present day.
The Baltimore born writer, who has won nine Emmy Awards including Outstanding Drama Series for Mad Men, is being tasked with taking the £4billion franchise back to its roots and emulate his iconic hit show.
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The first ever Bond movie, Goldfinger (1964) stars Sean Connery as 'shaken not stirred' James Bond
Daniel Craig is rumoured to be bidding farewell to the franchise in this year's hotly anticipated Spectre
An MGM executive told the Express: 'This won't be a retro one-off. We're taking him right back to his roots.
'We'll go forwards by taking 007 back to the era in which we believe he fits most comfortably.'
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The first six Bond movies - Dr No, From Russia With Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball, You Only Live Twice and On Her Majesty's Service - were all made and released in the Sixties.
Sean Connery assumed the role of 007 in the first five film adaptations of Ian Fleming's suave spy series, while George Lazenby took over after in the sixth.
Goldfinger (1964): Starring Shirley Eaton as Jill Masterson and Sean Connery as James Bond
On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969): George Lazenby took over Connery as the second Bond
Weiner's Mad Men, set in the late Sixties, received critical acclaim for its stylish depiction of the media world with its sharp suits and savvy speeches.
The award-winning show sees Jon Hamm as smooth talking lothario Don Draper, who regularly scores the most impressive clients and the sexiest women.
The show hung up its hat earlier this year freeing up Weiner's time to pursue larger projects.
The TV writer may also bring some of the Mad Men cast with him to appear alongside the next Bond, which is yet to be confirmed.
There has been much speculation about who might take over the role, with Damian Lewis, Tom Hardy, Michael Fassbender and Idris Elba's names all rumoured to be in the running.
Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner has been approached to give the franchise a nostalgic reimagining
Skyfall (2012): Daniel Craig suits up as James Bond in perhaps his penultimate film as the secret service spy
Earlier this week Daniel Craig, who is set to appear in Spectre this month, declared that he would rather self harm than play 007 again.
'I'd rather break this glass and slit my wrists,' Craig, 47, told Time Out magazine.
'I'm over it at the moment. All I want to do is move on.'
The interview was thought to have been conducted in July, just after filming on the 24th Bond film was completed.
Craig said that living up to the image Bond has to project is onerous, and he had to put all his energy into the latest one.
'Every idea I've had for a Bond movie, I've stuck into this one. It's gone in. The Bond bank is dry.
Daniel Craig poses with the iconic Aston Martin car as featured in the first Bond movie Goldfinger
'If you're asking me what would I do with another Bond movie? I haven't a clue. Go into space? Let's do it! They already did it. Let's do it again.'
Sam Mendes' Skyfall, which was released in 2012, made its own nostalgic nod to the original film by featuring the iconic Aston Martin car in its closing chapter.
Sean Connery got behind the wheel of the vintage car in Goldfinger, and fans were delighted to see its return with Craig in the driver's seat.
The latest Bond movie, Spectre will be released in Britain and Ireland on October 26 and worldwide in early November.
Mad Men: (L-R) Roger Sterling (John Slattery) and Don Draper (Jon Hamm) in the Emmy Award winning TV series
Christina Hendricks plays the curvaceous Joan Harris in Matthew Weiner's stylish hit show
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