Soderbergh Pitched Two Radical James Bond Plans, Including Splitting 007 Into Separate Auteur Lanes

The acclaimed director revealed he proposed a parallel R-rated 1960s Bond franchise and a twofer deal to Barbara Broccoli, but both ideas were ultimately rejected.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 8:34pm

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An abstract close-up image of shattered glass and cracked chrome surfaces, captured in dramatic high-contrast studio lighting to convey a sense of tension and fragmentation.Soderbergh's rejected Bond pitches hinted at the franchise's potential to embrace a more experimental, auteur-driven creative vision.Chicago Today

Oscar-winning filmmaker Steven Soderbergh says he pitched Barbara Broccoli two separate James Bond plans over the years, including a bold concept that would have effectively split the franchise into two separate creative tracks - one for a large-scale contemporary 007 film, and another for a stripped-down, auteur-driven period spin-off. While Broccoli's team was initially intrigued by Soderbergh's ideas, the director says the 'twofer' pitch was ultimately deemed too 'aggressive' to move forward.

Why it matters

Soderbergh's proposed Bond ideas represent a radical rethinking of the long-running franchise, potentially opening up new creative avenues and filmmaker-driven approaches beyond the traditional big-budget 007 formula. Though the plans were rejected, they offer a glimpse into how the iconic spy series could have evolved under a more experimental, auteur-centric vision.

The details

Soderbergh first pitched Broccoli on a parallel, R-rated 1960s-set Bond franchise in 2008, envisioning a 'violent, sexy' take with a different actor playing a fictional backstory tied to real historical events. A few years later, after the release of 'Skyfall,' Soderbergh returned with an even more ambitious 'twofer' proposal - he would direct both a contemporary, large-scale Bond film akin to 'Spectre,' as well as the stripped-down period spin-off he had previously suggested. However, Broccoli and the franchise's producers ultimately felt Soderbergh's dual-track vision was 'a little aggressive' to greenlight.

  • Soderbergh first pitched his ideas to Barbara Broccoli in 2008.
  • Soderbergh returned with his 'twofer' proposal a few years after the release of 'Skyfall' in 2012.

The players

Steven Soderbergh

An acclaimed Oscar-winning filmmaker who has discussed pitching radical ideas to reinvent the James Bond franchise.

Barbara Broccoli

The longtime producer of the James Bond film series, who oversees the creative direction of the iconic spy franchise.

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What they’re saying

“I had pitched in 2008 the idea to Barbara Broccoli of a parallel franchise. Set in the '60s, R-rated, violent, sexy. Fictional backstory to real historical events, different actor, different universe.”

— Steven Soderbergh, Filmmaker

“So, when I got back into the conversation [a few years] later, then I was pitching a twofer. Which was, 'Yeah, I'll do the contemporary extravaganza. But I also want to do the other one, after. Like, I want to do both.'”

— Steven Soderbergh, Filmmaker

The takeaway

While Soderbergh's bold Bond ideas were ultimately rejected, they illustrate the potential for the iconic spy franchise to explore more experimental, auteur-driven creative directions beyond the traditional big-budget formula. The proposals highlight the franchise's ongoing tension between commercial demands and artistic ambition.