James Bond Shake-Up: Amazon Takes Creative Control of Franchise From Broccoli Family In New Deal

The iconic James Bond film series is undergoing changes as Amazon MGM Studios, along with Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, have created a new partnership for managing the franchise’s copyrights and creative direction.

As a Bond enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that under the new deal, Amazon will take creative reigns over the James Bond franchise. However, Wilson and Broccoli will still retain co-ownership of this iconic 60-year-old property. Intriguingly, Amazon snapped up MGM back in 2022, which came with a treasure trove of over 4,000 films and 17,000 TV series!

Following the acquisition of MGM, Amazon now owns the distribution rights for all James Bond movies. Once the joint venture deal is finalized, they will also have control over the creative aspects in upcoming Bond film productions.

Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, expressed gratitude on Thursday for the pioneering work of Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman in bringing James Bond to movie theaters worldwide, as well as the enduring commitment of Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli in preserving the beloved franchise. Hopkins acknowledged their role in maintaining this cherished legacy and excitedly looked forward to contributing to the next chapter of the iconic 007 series for global audiences.

Wilson announced that he would be shifting away from creating James Bond films to concentrate on artistic pursuits and philanthropic endeavors instead. In his own words, he stated, “Consequently, Barbara and I believe it is now appropriate for our reliable partner, Amazon MGM Studios, to guide James Bond into the coming era.

The announcement of this collaboration arrives amidst ongoing discussions surrounding Bond 26, the upcoming installment in the 007 series, following Daniel Craig’s retirement from the role in the 2021 film “No Time to Die”. Barbara Broccoli has echoed this sentiment, suggesting it is now time for her to pass the baton and let Amazon MGM Studios assume creative control.

Throughout my career, I’ve been committed to preserving and expanding upon the exceptional legacy bestowed upon Michael and me by our producer father, Cubby Broccoli. I’ve had the privilege of collaborating closely with four incredibly gifted actors who portrayed 007, as well as countless talented artists within the industry. As we wrap up No Time to Die and Michael steps away from the films, I believe it’s time for me to shift my attention towards other projects.

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2025-02-20 17:54