“R.I.P. James Bond”? Amazon Seizing Creative Control of Franchise Sparks Fears

by

Over the past four years, James Bond enthusiasts have eagerly sought any hint that a fresh Bond film was progressing after Daniel Craig’s departure. The recent announcement on Thursday that Amazon secured creative control of the franchise from Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, the rights holders, indicates that the lengthy standoff between the parties has been resolved. This development undoubtedly paves the way for the next Bond to make its appearance.

So why are so many acting like Amazon just beat the living daylights out of 007?

Renowned author Don Winslow expressed on topic X, “It’s truly heart-wrenching. The end of an era.” Film critic Griffen Schiller commented, “This might be the most disastrous event for this series… It seems like it will be overexploited.” Another forecasted, “Amazon is likely to reach rock bottom and shamelessly milk this.” Many others have lamented, “James Bond is dead.

The arrangement appeared quite unexpected since Broccoli had maintained such a firm hold on the character for so long, mirroring the path set by her father, Albert R. Broccoli. For many years, the Broccoli family’s diligent management has been recognized as a key factor in the franchise’s lasting popularity and its mostly successful transformations over almost eight decades. It was one of the few remaining intellectual properties that wasn’t owned by a large corporation, free from confusing TV spinoffs, excessive prequels, or intricate serialization.

Frequently, supporters express concerns and doubts when a cherished series gets new ownership. In this instance, their apprehensions aren’t unwarranted.

Initially, Amazon invested approximately $300 million in producing a spy drama akin to the Bond series titled “Citadel”. This production debuted in 2023 and received mixed reviews and low viewer ratings. Amazon aimed not only to create a television series but also an immediate franchise with spin-offs of “Citadel” planned for multiple countries, and characters who would eventually unite, much like the Avengers. In essence, they developed a global content strategy and then tried to craft a TV show around this concept, which is not typically how compelling narratives are created.

Besides the action dramas like Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan and Reacher in our studio, both decent productions, it’s important to note that they lean heavily towards television programming.

Apart from the series Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan and Reacher falling under the action drama category at our studio, they are well-made shows but they definitely have a strong TV feel to them.

Another cherished intellectual property that the company invested hundreds of millions to purchase, similar to Bond, was its “Lord of the Rings” prequel. The ensuing series, titled “The Rings of Power,” has sparked a wide range of opinions among fans, it must be said, although it remains popular in terms of viewership on streaming platforms.

Subsequently, there have been contentious encounters between Amazon and producers Broccoli and Wilson. According to an article in the Wall Street Journal, Broccoli once referred to Amazon executives as “foolish” individuals. Additionally, it was reported that Broccoli was upset by executives’ dismissive comments about James Bond, referring to him as mere “content.” The report also hinted at Amazon’s consideration for TV spin-offs featuring Moneypenny or a female Bond series, which sparked controversy when Broccoli stated that Bond could be of any race but is essentially an embodiment of masculinity. In essence, a TV adaptation of Bond might resemble a more lavish British equivalent of Netflix’s The Night Agent.

It’s clear why Amazon puts its focus on Prime Video streaming (for instance, it declined to distribute its revamped version of Road House in cinemas last year). However, this doesn’t necessarily mean they would refuse to showcase a Bond film in theaters. Nevertheless, making a Bond movie exclusive to Prime Video appears highly improbable, although not completely out of the question. The main takeaway is that Amazon doesn’t seem to have the same affection for cinema as a traditional movie studio, given its relatively limited background in creating films compared to a company producing the next Bond movie.

The company might be willing to splurge a substantial sum on a Bond venture, but doubts linger among fans regarding their casting decisions. Many find it questionable that the quick delivery service giant could select an impressive cast for the role. For example, it’s hard to envision Amazon selecting Daniel Craig as James Bond in his debut film, 2006’s Casino Royale. At the time, Craig wasn’t a popular choice due to his lack of fame and not fitting the typical matinee idol image. It’s challenging to imagine Amazon executives taking such a risky decision.

To illustrate: Regarding Citadel, Amazon selected Richard Madden following his success in BBC’s action-drama Bodyguard, leading many viewers to propose he would make a suitable James Bond. However, the studio opted for a predictable and secure choice at the moment. Even Bezos, inquiring about the next Bond after the announcement, seemed to be encouraging an online discussion, unwittingly setting himself on a potentially misguided path.

One advantage of the Bond series is that each film stands alone, making it easy for fans to enjoy any of the 25 movies without needing to watch the others first. However, the franchise has recently attempted some continuity in the last few films, which many critics and viewers felt did not succeed. It’s possible that Amazon might not be satisfied with producing a stand-alone movie every so often. There’s a concern that they could attempt something intricate like world-building, similar to what Disney did with Star Wars, which might become overly complicated.

In essence, Clint Eastwood once said, “A person needs to understand their own boundaries.” Translating this to Amazon’s potential Bond venture, it would be shrewd for them to acknowledge their limitations too: They should hire an exceptional director with a captivating vision for the Bond series that breathes freshness yet respects its heritage. Once the director is on board, it would be best for Amazon to step back and let creativity flourish. By successfully producing one outstanding Bond film for cinema release, they can demonstrate their competence and earn the right to carry out more missions, symbolized by the ‘license to kill.’

The company is likely to dismiss this approach, preferring a more interactive and complex one instead. In terms of Amazon’s aspirations for their content, the ordinary isn’t usually satisfactory.

Read More

2025-02-21 00:54