{"id":277328,"date":"2025-04-08T21:05:04","date_gmt":"2025-04-08T21:05:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.talkwithrattan.com\/index.php\/2025\/04\/08\/amazons-mgm-studios-to-take-creative-control-over-james-bond-franchise\/"},"modified":"2025-04-08T21:05:04","modified_gmt":"2025-04-08T21:05:04","slug":"amazons-mgm-studios-to-take-creative-control-over-james-bond-franchise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.talkwithrattan.com\/index.php\/2025\/04\/08\/amazons-mgm-studios-to-take-creative-control-over-james-bond-franchise\/","title":{"rendered":"Amazon\u2019s MGM Studios to take creative control over James Bond franchise"},"content":{"rendered":"
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In a James Bond shakeup that stirred the film industry, Amazon MGM announced Thursday that the studio has taken the creative reins of the 007 franchise after decades of family control. Longtime Bond custodians Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli said they would be stepping back.<\/p>\n

Financial terms weren\u2019t disclosed. The deal is expected to close sometime this year.<\/p>\n

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\u201cWith 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,\u201d Wilson said in a statement. \u201cTherefore, Barbara and I agree, it is time for our trusted partner, Amazon MGM Studios, to lead James Bond into the future.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Amazon bought MGM Studios in 2022 for $6.1 billion, a purchase that was significantly motivated by the acquisition of one of the movies\u2019 most beloved and long-running franchises. Since the Daniel Craig era of 007 concluded with 2021\u2019s \u201cNo Time to Die,\u201d Broccoli and Wilson have reportedly clashed with Amazon MGM over the direction of Bond.<\/p>\n

The announcement Thursday means that for the first time in the more than half a century of Bond, a Broccoli won\u2019t be greenlighting the next 007 film, or picking who inherits his tux. Amazon MGM also anticipates expanding the franchise beyond movies.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are grateful to the late Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman for bringing James Bond to movie theaters 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,\u201d said Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios. \u201cWe are honored to continue this treasured heritage, and look forward to ushering in the next phase of the legendary 007 for audiences around the world.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bond had been a family business since Albert \u201cCubby\u201d Broccoli secured the rights to adaptations of Ian Fleming\u2019s novels and kicked off a run of 25 Bond films produced by Eon Productions, beginning with 1962\u2019s \u201cDr. No.\u201d Those movies have accrued $7.6 billion in box office.<\/p>\n

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In 1995, the elder Broccoli handed over control of Eon to his daughter, Broccoli, and stepson, Wilson. In recent years, the 64-year-old Broccoli has largely taken the lead as Wilson, 83, has aged into retirement.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy 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,\u201d Broccoli said in a statement. \u201cI 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 \u2018No Time to Die\u2019 and Michael retiring from the films, I feel it is time to focus on my other projects.\u201d<\/p>\n

Broccoli and Wilson\u2019s previous standoff with Amazon MGM had essentially frozen development on the next Bond movie. No script, director or star has yet been announced for the next installment, an unusually long break for a franchise that has typically spaced films two or three years apart. Broccoli also produced the 2022 film \u201cTill\u201d and the musical \u201cBuena Vista Social Club,\u201d opening next month on Broadway.<\/p>\n

ALSO READ |<\/strong> Explained: The enduring legacy of James Bond<\/a><\/p>\n

Financial terms weren\u2019t disclosed. The deal is expected to close sometime this year.<\/p>\n

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\u201cWith 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,\u201d Wilson said in a statement. \u201cTherefore, Barbara and I agree, it is time for our trusted partner, Amazon MGM Studios, to lead James Bond into the future.\u201d<\/p>\n

A key point for the producers in the Amazon acquisition of MGM was a commitment to theatrically release James Bond films. That Bond\u2019s future is now in the hands of an e-commerce giant with one of the leading streaming services will immediately prompted doubts from some fans about Bond\u2019s new corporate overloads. Other billion-dollar movie franchises, such as the Disney-owned \u201cStar Wars\u201d and Marvel brands, have in recent years struggled with over-saturation.<\/p>\n

Even Joe Russo, co-director of four Marvel Cinematic Universe films including \u201cAvengers: Endgame,\u201d pleaded to Amazon MGM: \u201cDON\u2019T cinematic universe James Bond.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is one of our last, great theatrical events,\u201d Russo said on X. \u201cDon\u2019t dilute that with a plethora of streaming spin-offs.\u201d<\/p>\n

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In an interview last fall ahead of receiving an honorary Oscar alongside her brother, Broccoli told The Associated Press that, in an era of upheaval in the movie industry, boldness was necessary.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople are playing it very safe,\u201d Broccoli said. \u201cI think in times of crisis like this, you\u2019ve got to be brave.\u201d<\/p>\n

After the announcement, Daniel Craig expressed his admiration for the producers in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter: My respect, admiration and love for Barbara and Michael remain constant and undiminished. I wish Michael a long, relaxing (and well-deserved) retirement and whatever ventures Barbara goes on to do, I know they will be spectacular, and I hope I can be part of them.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n