Watch Out Studios: Apple & Amazon Vie For James Bond Film Rights

In a world where intellectual property barely exists if it doesn’t exist in multiple formats across multiple platforms, the James Bond franchise remains a remarkable anomaly: longtime producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson are basically interested only in making theatrically-released films about the iconic British spy. But Apple and Amazon stand poised to test the character’s potential on streaming and broadcast formats after joining the bidding war for rights to the series after Sony’s deal to produce 007 adventures expired in 2015 with “Spectre.”

According to a report in The Hollywood Reporter, the tech giants are courting longtime rights holder MGM for the rights to Bond, in an effort to anchor their respective ventures into content creation in one of the most enduring and beloved franchises in cinema history. Apple’s bid hints at a possible larger deal for rights to earlier films or even possible television projects, while Amazon’s interest would augment the company’s burgeoning theatrical arm, if also challenge its nascent efforts at self-distribution, which launched in July with Woody Allen’s “Wonder Wheel.”

Producers Reportedly Considering James Bond Cinematic Universe

The increasing dominance of streaming services has empowered tech companies to penetrate the theatrical space, but their competitors aren’t obsolete just yet: Warner Bros., the current front runner in the Bond “sweepstakes,” might still be involved in distribution, even if Apple or Amazon prevail. Amazon is already teaming up with Warners to co-finance an adaptation of Donna Tartt’s “The Goldfinch,” paving the way for potential collaborations in the future. At the same time, an unnamed source indicates that Apple and Amazon joining the fray might also open the door for other “outsiders” to get into the Bond business, including Chinese companies eager to acquire international licensing rights.

Particularly at a time when rights are being divvied up on all platforms into seeming perpetuity, Bond feels like one of the last untapped properties that hasn’t landed a stable home, thanks in no small part to MGM’s multiple restructuring efforts over the last several years. According to an insider who spoke to the Hollywood Reporter , “in the world of Lucasfilm and Marvel, Bond feels really underdeveloped.” UTA’s Yale Chasin suggests that it comes as little surprise that giants in the digital space would throw their hat into the ring: “Apple is the biggest digital outlet for movies, so I think they are always present in the conversation whether they’re up front or behind any other distributor out there that’s turning to them for real control in the digital market.”

Daniel Craig Is Back As James Bond

Meanwhile, it’s a no-brainer that Bond would produce a major commercial windfall for the company that nabs the rights to the 55-year-old film series. The franchise had a major resurgence in the last decade with Daniel Craig taking over the leading role and reviving the franchise, particularly after 2012’s “Skyfall” grossed $1.1 billion worldwide, becoming the most successful entry in the series’ history. And though “Spectre” fell short of its predecessor with only $881 million worldwide, anticipation is already high for a follow-up: Craig has already confirmed he will reprise the role in at least one more installment, with a release date set for Nov. 8, 2019. [THR]