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What just happened? Amazon MGM Studios has secured creative control over the iconic James Bond franchise as part of a new joint venture formed with Amazon MGM Studios, Michael G. Wilson, and Barbara Broccoli, the long-standing producers of the 007 series. As the dust settles on this landmark deal, all eyes will be on Amazon MGM Studios to see how it will shape the future of one of cinema’s most enduring and beloved characters.
The newly established partnership will house the James Bond intellectual property rights, with Amazon MGM Studios, Wilson, and Broccoli remaining co-owners of the franchise. However, the significant shift lies in the creative control, which will now rest with Amazon MGM Studios once the transaction is finalized.
This move marks a significant change in the franchise’s management, as the Broccoli family has been at the helm of James Bond productions since Albert “Cubby” Broccoli and Harry Saltzman launched the film series in 1962.
The deal represents a notable shift in Barbara Broccoli’s stance towards Amazon.
After Amazon’s substantial $6.5 billion acquisition of MGM Studios, which included the rights to distribute Bond films, the franchise’s future hit a snag, with the partnership between Amazon and the family controlling James Bond’s destiny deteriorating significantly. The strained relationship effectively halted any plans for a new Bond movie, dealing a blow to Amazon’s Hollywood aspirations. This setback was particularly significant given that the Bond franchise was a major factor in the hefty price tag Amazon paid for MGM.
The ultimate authority over Bond’s cinematic future rested with Barbara Broccoli, who inherited this responsibility from her father. For three decades, she had been the key decision-maker regarding the production of new Bond films.
Broccoli had been vocal about her concerns regarding Amazon’s potential impact on the franchise. She was reportedly skeptical of the studio’s algorithmically-driven approach to developing entertainment projects, even telling friends that “These people are f – idiots.” Because of the impasse, the last James Bond film produced was “No Time to Die,” released in September 2021.
However, both parties have managed to overcome their differences. In a statement, Broccoli expressed her desire to focus on other projects after dedicating her life to maintaining and building upon her father’s legacy. Wilson echoed this sentiment, stating their trust in Amazon MGM to lead James Bond into the future.
Who’d you pick as the next Bond? pic.twitter.com/u7nBaRROlf
– Jeff Bezos (@JeffBezos) February 20, 2025
The announcement has sparked immediate speculation about the future of the James Bond franchise, fueled by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who took to social media shortly after the announcement, asking his followers who they would pick as the next James Bond. This move suggests that the search for a new 007 may already be underway, with popular suggestions including Henry Cavill, James McAvoy, Tom Cruise, and Theo James.
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