Amazon on Thursday announced that it has gained “creative control of the James Bond franchise” following a major new deal. It’s the conclusion of one of Hollywood’s most heated blockbuster battles.
In December, a spicy report from the Wall Street Journal revealed a behind-the-scenes fight over the fate of James Bond between Amazon; its subsidiary Amazon MGM Studios; and Barbara Broccoli, the rights holder of the 007 series. At that time, there was an uncertain future for Bond: Amazon wanted more (lots more, including spinoffs and cinematic universes), and Broccoli wanted to preserve the monolithic legacy of the franchise. “These people are f— idiots,” Broccoli reportedly said of her partners at Amazon.
In 2022, Amazon Studios closed an $8.5 billion deal to acquire MGM and the legendary studio’s century-deep catalog of films. But despite the transfer of the IP gold mine, Broccoli retained creative control over the James Bond character, thanks to deals struck by her father Albert “Cubby” Broccoli dating back to the 1960s and the production of Dr. No. According to the Wall Street Journal, Amazon pushed Broccoli and her stepbrother and collaborator Michael G. Wilson to follow the most recent Daniel Craig 007 film, 2021’s No Time to Die, with a more modern strategy, from left-field casting ideas to Moneypenny-focused TV projects. Broccoli didn’t budge — until now.
“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,” Barbara Broccoli said in a statement about the new Amazon deal. “I have had the honour 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.”
Wilson added in a statement that he will move on from the Bond franchise to “focus on art and charitable projects.” The news release specified that Broccoli and Wilson, along with Amazon, “will remain co-owners of the franchise.” But creative control is now entirely in the hands of Amazon MGM Studios executives.
Broccoli has been heavily involved with the creative decisions around the Bond franchise since 1987’s The Living Daylights, playing a key role in casting both Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig and their 30 years’ worth of Bond missions. The franchise as people know it is done — for better or worse.
“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,” Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, said in a statement. “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.”