The night following her surrender of the James Bond franchise to Amazon, Barbara Broccoli socialized with a former Bond girl, a woman who had assisted the MI6 agent in thwarting a billionaire tycoon’s attempts at world conquest in technology and media.
On February 21st, Broccoli went to a screening of the Sing J. Lee movie “The Accidental Getaway Driver”, which she is an executive producer for, at the Film Academy. That night, she was accompanied by Michelle Yeoh, the award-winning actress, who wore a maroon velvet pantsuit and sneakers, just like Broccoli. They were seen together at the event. Michelle Yeoh played Wai Lin, the Chinese secret agent and Bond love interest in “Tomorrow Never Dies”.
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On February 21st, Broccoli was present at a Film Academy screening for Sing J. Lee’s movie “The Accidental Getaway Driver”, where she serves as an executive producer. She was accompanied by Michelle Yeoh, the Oscar-winning actress known for her role as Wai Lin in “Tomorrow Never Dies”. Both women were dressed casually in maroon velvet pantsuits and sneakers.
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On February 21st, Broccoli attended a screening of Sing J. Lee’s film “The Accidental Getaway Driver”, where she is an executive producer at the Film Academy. She was joined by Michelle Yeoh, the award-winning actress who played Wai Lin in “Tomorrow Never Dies”. Both were dressed in maroon velvet pantsuits and sneakers for the event.
or
On Feb 21st, Broccoli was at a Film Academy screening of Sing J. Lee’s movie “The Accidental Getaway Driver”, where she serves as an executive producer. There, she was with Michelle Yeoh, the Oscar-winning actress who played Wai Lin in “Tomorrow Never Dies”. Both were dressed in matching maroon velvet pantsuits and sneakers.
In the 1997 movie, Bond, portrayed by Pierce Brosnan, teams up with Wai Lin to confront the business magnate Elliot Carver, played by Jonathan Pryce. Their goal is to exploit Carver’s corporate dominion in an attempt to rule the world.
It may have been ahead of its time.
Back in the day when Tomorrow Never Dies was unveiled, Amazon primarily functioned as an online bookstore, challenging Barnes & Noble. However, it’s important to note that Amazon’s founder Jeff Bezos harbored much bigger dreams. Today, he oversees one of the globe’s most influential tech giants, a significant player in the world of streaming services with Prime Video, a renowned news organization, The Washington Post, and even a company pioneering space travel through Blue Origin, launching rockets and satellites.
And as of Feb. 20, he also controls Bond, James Bond.
At a showing of The Getaway Driver, Broccoli was asked by The Hollywood Reporter about relinquishing control of the famous franchise. Instead of discussing the agreement, she chose to concentrate on the film she was promoting. “It’s great you’re here to watch the movie,” she said.
The sensational agreement that sent shockwaves through Hollywood will grant Amazon’s MGM Studios custody over the Bond series from Barbara Broccoli and her half-brother Michael G. Wilson. While specifics of the deal remain undisclosed, both parties have announced that Wilson’s retirement is a key factor in the decision, and they will retain a certain financial stake in the franchise. In a statement, Wilson expressed, “Barbara and I concur, it is now Amazon MGM Studios’ responsibility to guide James Bond into the future.
It’s evident that this venture won’t come at a low cost. Beyond the initial payment for ownership, the ongoing financial interest is expected to generate a “Bond dividend” for the families for many years. As per U.K. corporate records, EON Productions – the Broccoli and Wilson company previously in charge of Bond – garnered approximately £235 million in 2021, the year the last Bond film, ‘No Time to Die’, was released. Even in years without new films, EON still made significant profits: over £22 million in 2023 and nearly £16 million in 2022.
The astonishing and impressive nature of this agreement highlights the scarcity of significant transactions involving highly influential intellectual properties. When Amazon shelled out $8.5 billion for MGM Studios, Bezos himself admitted that they did so due to MGM’s extensive, rich archive of widely cherished intellectual property.
However, although it gained rights to other franchises such as Rocky, Creed, Road House, and The Silence of the Lambs, ownership of James Bond continued to prove difficult. Yet, if Amazon manages to pull it off, the cost could be justified.
According to Lightshed analyst Rich Greenfield, Cementing Bond could potentially cover this transaction numerous times in the future. As for whether Bond could become the next Marvel, that’s uncertain. Historically, Bond has been closely guarded with few films and no TV series or theme park world associated with it. The question then arises: How can one construct the universe of Bond?
In today’s Hollywood landscape, it’s clear we’re in an age dominated by Intellectual Properties (IP), and Jeff Bezos’ acquisition of the Bond franchise could be seen as the highest demonstration of the substantial sums companies are willing to invest in acquiring what they believe the public desires (or at least what they assume the public wants).
According to a leading entertainment executive, finding top-tier intellectual properties (IP) is becoming increasingly challenging, so companies must maximize the potential of what they currently own, often running the risk of excessive exposure. Moreover, they should strive to create fresh IP, despite its high production costs, lengthy development period, and inherent risks.
Warner Bros. Discovery is making an attempt to rejuvenate its DC Comics film series, featuring iconic characters such as Batman and Wonder Woman. This year, WBD is investing heavily in the upcoming Superman movie, aiming to launch a new cinematic universe – the first step in a multi-billion dollar gamble on DC intellectual properties. The company’s strategy is to create two live-action films and one animated movie annually, as well as producing two live-action and two animated series for Max each year.
James Gunn, one of the co-CEOs at DC Studios, explains their 80-year legacy of legendary heroes and villains. They aim to preserve this tradition, ensuring these characters remain vibrant. They’re eager to create fresh narratives and breathe new life into them, introducing these iconic figures to future generations.
As a devoted fan myself, I’m excited to share that Peter Safran, Gunn’s co-CEO, has reassured us that they are committed to upholding and expanding the DC legacy, not just for the executives like David Zaslav, but also for the fans who cherish these iconic characters. However, it’s not just about satisfying the existing fanbase; it’s equally crucial to introduce these captivating tales to those yet to experience the enchantment and potency of this rich canon. We, as a team, are determined to use all our resources to keep that promise.
Should a high-value entertainment franchise come up for grabs, companies must be prepared to go the extra mile to secure a share of it.
Consider Bluey.
The Australian cartoon show has grown into a worldwide sensation, earning the title of the most sought-after preschool brand globally and the most-watched show in the U.S. last year, according to Nielsen. This is quite an achievement for Disney+, especially considering Netflix’s vast reach.
The main issue is that Disney, which has unrivaled experience in leveraging intellectual property among all entertainment companies globally, does not hold the rights to Bluey. Instead, it’s Australia’s Ludo Studios and BBC Studios who manage the franchise.
Disney took an innovative approach by agreeing on a deal for the debut of a Bluey movie, granting Disney worldwide theatrical distribution rights. Additionally, the beloved Bluey characters will be making appearances at Disney’s theme parks and cruise lines globally.
Even if you can’t buy the IP, getting a piece of it is better than nothing.
In a similar manner, Illumination and Comcast took control of a project they initiated on their own. One of the rare companies to develop significant new intellectual properties lately (the Minions are omnipresent), Illumination’s CEO Chris Meledandri managed to secure one of the last untapped franchises for his studio: Nintendo’s Super Mario Bros. Although Nintendo retains ownership of the plumbers, Comcast and Illumination now have an entire animated universe at their disposal for cinema releases (a new Mario Bros sequel is set for 2026), complementing the physical worlds found in Universal theme parks.
Occasionally, a unique agreement may be struck to purchase intellectual property (IP) outright. For instance, in 2021, Netflix invested over $500 million into an entity set up by the Roald Dahl family, as disclosed in U.K. filings. This substantial sum granted Netflix ownership of IP encompassing titles like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, James and the Giant Peach, The BFG, The Fantastic Mr. Fox, and other beloved characters from Roald Dahl’s universe.
Despite the deal serving as a lesson learned, it’s worth noting that, apart from the 2023 short film “The Marvelous Tale of Henry Sugar” and this year’s animated production “The Twits,” Netflix hasn’t fully realized the potential of the Roald Dahl intellectual property as yet.
As a gaming enthusiast, I’ve come to realize that maintaining a successful franchise is like striking a constant balance between risks and rewards. When we hit it right, it keeps churning out profits for years, generating income through movies, TV shows, soundtracks, merchandise, and even theme park experiences. However, neglecting or over-saturating the market can lead to its downfall, making the high costs no longer seem justified.
For a corporation similar to Amazon, which leverages its extensive retail operations for various ventures, James Bond isn’t merely an intellectual property tied to films and series; it’s also a consumer products opportunity. In fact, James Bond action figures and merchandise are just a click and two-day shipping away.
For numerous conventional entertainment firms, staying relevant and maintaining competitiveness can prove quite challenging.
Even Disney, with its vast resources and iconic brands, is not exempt from facing risks. The Star Wars franchise, guided by Kathleen Kennedy as Lucasfilm chief, is a lucrative asset boasting successful series like The Mandalorian and popular theme park areas. However, it’s been six years since the release of a feature film, and Disney has faced challenges in revitalizing the saga around new characters (with Mando being an exception).
Indeed, the widely acclaimed Marvel Cinematic Universe, considered as the most prosperous modern movie franchise globally, is currently experiencing a challenging phase. While earlier films were undeniably hits, more recent productions like “Captain America: New World Order” and “The Marvels” have shown mixed results. However, an upcoming reboot of The Fantastic Four later this year instills optimism in Disney executives that the momentum of the MCU might resume.
As per Jeremy Goldman, an analyst at eMarketer, the traditional media giants are gradually being pushed out of significant intellectual property battles that will take place in the future. It’s a matter of time before these few remaining players fade away, and everyone else needs to find ways to save money and make the most of opportunities that may slip through their fingers.”
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“According to Jeremy Goldman, an analyst at eMarketer, traditional media giants are becoming less relevant in upcoming intellectual property conflicts. It’s only a matter of time before these few remaining players disappear, leaving everyone else to find ways to cut costs and maximize opportunities that might be missed.
Additionally, as Amazon plans to feature characters like James Bond (notably, the entire roster of heroes and villains from the Bond universe) across their various services, it’s beneficial to study strategies employed by competitors.
As a fervent admirer, I can’t help but express optimism. I truly hope they’ve learned from the blunders of their predecessors and exercise caution in their pace and scale. Yet, I am convinced that this franchise holds a promise far greater than sporadic films every few years. Its potential transcends cinematic boundaries.
For years, I’ve seen how franchises can both enthrall and disappoint, even becoming the stuff of jokes in some circles, like a recurring gag in a Bond film.
Just before Bond uses a large drilling device to eliminate Carver in the movie “Tomorrow Never Dies”, he seizes the villain, gazes intently into his eyes, and exclaims, “You overlooked the fundamental principle of mass communication, Elliot. Provide the public with what they desire!
Now, the roles have switched, and it’s the tycoon who now holds the secret agent captive. Regardless of whether it’s good or bad news, Amazon and Bezos are gearing up to deliver an abundance of James Bond-style experiences to the public.
The tale was initially published in the February 26th edition of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. If you’d like to get the magazine delivered to you, simply click [here]() to subscribe.
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2025-02-26 16:55