After months — nix that, years — of turmoil, it appears the worst has happened to the James Bond franchise: long-time producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson have ceded their creative control of 007 to Amazon MGM Studios, who now hold the IP’s future entirely in their hands.
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The updated agreement continues to see Wilson and Broccoli as franchise co-owners, but the new joint venture now gives Amazon MGM complete creative control over Bond’s future. Unfortunately, that means the suave superspy will likely be subject to myriad spinoffs, TV series, and prequels on Prime Video and elsewhere. So much for one of cinema’s most esteemed franchises holding onto its cultural prestige.
Talks between Broccoli, Wilson, and Amazon MGM about 007’s future have grown increasingly tense since Amazon acquired MGM and its vast catalog in 2022. The latest update came in a deliciously thorny WSJ piece last December, which quotes Broccoli calling Amazon MGM execs “f*cking idiots” for what they’d like to do to the character. In short, Broccoli and the studio have been in a prickly standoff over the franchise’s upcoming reboot. Broccoli and Wilson wanted to stick with what makes the Bond brand work, while Amazon MGM execs see 007 as “content” they can diversify in various ways via streaming and spinoffs.
With this new deal, which sees Broccoli and Wilson concede creative control, it’s clear that the deadlock exhausted the old Bond producers, and they no longer want to fight the good fight. And that likely spells doom for 007, at least for fans who don’t want to see him get the cinematic universe treatment. It’s now no longer about which British actor will don Bond’s tuxedo in the next film; it’s more about how badly Amazon MGM will ruin the IP.
“Since his theatrical introduction over 60 years ago, James Bond has been one of the most iconic characters in filmed entertainment,” said Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios in a press statement. “We are grateful to the late Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman for bringing James Bond to movie theatres around the world, and to Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli for their unyielding dedication and their role in continuing the legacy of the franchise that is cherished by legions of fans worldwide. We are honoured to continue this treasured heritage, and look forward to ushering in the next phase of the legendary 007 for audiences around the world.”
Wilson had a statement of his own: “With my 007 career spanning nearly 60 incredible years, I am stepping back from producing the James Bond films to focus on art and charitable projects. Therefore, Barbara and I agree, it is time for our trusted partner, Amazon MGM Studios, to lead James Bond into the future.”
Broccoli added “My life has been dedicated to maintaining and building upon the extraordinary legacy that was handed to Michael and me by our father, producer Cubby Broccoli. I have had the honor of working closely with four of the tremendously talented actors who have played 007 and thousands of wonderful artists within the industry. With the conclusion of “No Time to Die” and Michael retiring from the films, I feel it is time to focus on my other projects.”
So what will the “next phase” of 007 be? A huge shake-up beyond just a replacement for Daniel Craig, but hopefully one that doesn’t result in a stagnant, watered-down franchise á la “Star Wars.” Feel free to speculate, Bond fans, but it’s safe to expect the worst.
