Amazon has secured creative control over the iconic James Bond franchise, per gizmodo.com. The tech giant, which acquired MGM Studios in 2022, announced a new joint venture with longtime Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, marking a seismic shift in the future of the beloved spy series.
For decades, Broccoli and Wilson have been the guardians of the 007 legacy, fiercely protecting its creative direction. However, under the new agreement, they will step back from day-to-day involvement, leaving MGM Studios—and by extension, Amazon—to steer the franchise’s future. This unprecedented deal ends years of speculation about the series’ direction following Daniel Craig’s departure after No Time to Die in 2021.
Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and MGM Studios, expressed gratitude for Broccoli and Wilson’s stewardship, calling Bond a “treasured heritage” and promising to honour its legacy while ushering in a new era. Broccoli, in her statement, reflected on her decades-long dedication to the franchise but emphasised her desire to focus on other projects, signaling a definitive end to an era.
The deal comes after months of reported tension between Amazon and the Bond producers, with Broccoli allegedly criticising Amazon executives as “f***ing idiots” over creative disagreements. The lack of progress on a new Bond film since 2021 has also sparked bizarre legal battles, including an attempt by Austrian businessman Josef Kleindienst to claim the franchise’s trademarks under European non-use laws.
With Amazon now at the helm, fans are left wondering what’s next for 007. Will the tech giant modernide the franchise or stay true to its classic roots? One thing is certain: the world of James Bond will never be the same.
•Featured image © MGM Studios
