Amazon MGM announced today, February 20, that the James Bond franchise is now under its control. Although the heirs of Albert “Cubby” Broccoli, Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, will still be involved, Amazon will have creative control over future James Bond productions, including films and series.
The company will create a new entity with the Broccoli heirs, where everyone will share the intellectual property of the 007 franchise, but Amazon will hold the reins when it comes to creative decisions. This move marks a significant shift in the franchise’s history, as the Broccoli family has been instrumental in producing James Bond films for nearly six decades.
According to a spokesman from Amazon MGM, the details of the agreement, particularly the financial aspects, are being kept private. It’s unclear how much Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson will receive from the deal, but it’s likely to be a substantial amount.
The agreement is expected to be finalized by 2025. Michael G. Wilson stated that he’s stepping down from producing James Bond films to focus on art and charitable projects, saying, “With my 007 career spanning almost 60 incredible years, I am stopping producing James Bond films.” He also expressed his trust in Amazon MGM, stating that it’s time for them to guide the franchise into the future.
As reported by The Guardian, Amazon MGM has agreed to create a new company with Broccoli and Wilson, where all parties will share intellectual property rights, but Amazon will have complete creative control. The Associated Press notes that the agreement is still being discussed and will be fully closed by 2025.
This new development marks a significant change in the James Bond franchise, with Amazon MGM now at the helm. It will be interesting to see how the company chooses to take the franchise forward, and what this means for the future of the beloved spy series.
