Get ready to shake your martinis to the iconic sounds ofJames Bondtheme songs, as the longtime producers of the seminal cinematic franchise are set to be honored with a musical tribute at the 97th annual Academy Awards. According to reports, producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson will be honored on the main stage after receiving their own Honorary Oscars at the Governors Awards.
In a new report fromVariety— though the Academy Awards themselves have not yet commented on the matter — it was confirmed thatWickedwill not be the only musical moment to take place during Sunday’s Oscar ceremony. Though details on specifics remain scarce,Varietyhad this to say about what they did know about the musical moment:
“It is unclear whether the tribute will focus solely on Oscar-winning and nominated songs or take a broader approach to celebrating all 26 Bond themes. However, according to sources, the tribute will include what is being described as an assembly of surprising and immense talents.”
Since 1962, James Bond Has Been Giving Us Some Incredible Theme Songs
Few cinematic theme songs have done what the James Bond theme songs and instantly-recognizable instrumentals have done and continue to do. The multi-award-winning tunes have featured a bevy of big-name performers, including Shirley Bassey’s “Goldfinger,” Nancy Sinatra’s “You Only Live Twice,” Paul McCartney’s “Live and Let Die,” Carly Simon’s “Nobody Does It Better,” Sheena Easton’s “For Your Eyes Only,” Duran Duran’s “A View to a Kill,” Tina Turner’s “GoldenEye,” “Tomorrow Never Dies” by Sheryl Crowe, Madonna’s “Die Another Day,” Adele’s “Skyfall,” Sam Smith’s “Writing’s On The Wall,” and “No Time To Die” from Billie Eilish. Of all those songs, six have received Oscar nominations, with three of them even winning the big prize:
The move comes as the Bond franchise is undergoing several behind-the-scenes changesnow that it is an Amazon Studios property— to say nothing of the current musings about who might become the next 007.Current speculationputsSlow Horsesstar Jack Lowden at the top of the current list of would-be stars, but these things change all the time, so don’t get your hopes up (or down) just yet.
If the Oscars could get even three of those folks to appear on stage, it would be a big deal. Of course, there’s also the theme song from British composer Monty Norman, and “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” from the 1969 Bond film of the same name. The former tune has been used as the signature theme of the James Bond film series, featuring in every Bond film since 1962’sDr. No. Here’s hoping they honor those moments as well.
