James Bond facing huge shake-up as Amazon takes over franchise in historic move
Fans are still waiting for news on the next 007 film.
After more than 60 years in charge, the Broccoli family have ceded creative control of the James Bond franchise to Amazon MGM Studios.
Amazon acquired the rights to the 007 franchise through its parent studio Eon, founded in 1961, when it bought MGM in 2022 for $8.45billion (£6.69bn), duly forming its own studio.
However, until now, final say on key production issues would have gone to producers and half-siblings Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, children of famed Bond producer Albert ‘Cubby’ Broccoli – decisions such as casting and director, as fans eagerly await the announcement of a new Bond.
But Amazon MGM Studios and producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli have ‘formed a new joint venture to house the James Bond intellectual property rights’, it was announced today.
This sees Broccoli and Wilson ‘remaining co-owners of the franchise’, but Amazon MGM Studios ‘will gain creative control’ of 007.
Wilson, 83, said in a statement to the BBC: ‘With 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.
Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson have shepherded 007 since 1995 (Picture: Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP,)‘Therefore, Barbara and I agree, it is time for our trusted partner, Amazon MGM Studios, to lead James Bond into the future.’
Broccoli, 64, added: ‘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.
‘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.’
They were in charge of Daniel Craig’s casting in the part, but are now ‘stepping back’ from Bond creatively as Wilson retires from films (Picture: Getty) Albert ‘Cubby’ Broccoli (L) brought Bond to the screen, producing the franchise’s films for over 30 years (pictured with Roger Moore as Bond and Barbara Bach for The Spy Who Loved Me (Picture: Screen Archives/Getty Images)This comes amid rampant speculation over the cause of perceived delays in the run-up to the next James Bond film, after Daniel Craig retired from the role in 2021 with No Time to Die.
While the rumour mill offering plenty of front-runners for the role, such as Aaron Taylor-Johnson, whose casting was denied in March 2024, there had only been breadcrumbs so far from the producers.
Comment nowWhat do you think this news means for the Bond franchise?Comment NowIn November, they confirmed that the next Bond would be male, in his 30s and that they were open to casting a non-white actor, while in 2022 they had estimated that filming was ‘at least two years away’
But since then, sources have reported on tensions between Eon and Amazon with their approach to the franchise.
In December, it was claimed that the relationship between Broccoli and Amazon had completely broken down, according to executives, business partners and friends in the know.
