Amazon is poised to take over creative control of the highly lucrative James Bond movie franchise from the Broccoli family, marking a significant shift in the series’ future direction. The announcement was made on Thursday, solidifying Amazon’s growing influence in the entertainment industry.
Transition from the Broccoli Family
For decades, the James Bond films have been under the creative leadership of Michael Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, who inherited control from their father, Albert “Cubby” Broccoli. However, with this new deal, the duo will hand over creative decision-making to MGM Studios, which Amazon acquired in 2021 for $8.45 billion. Previously, Amazon had only gained distribution rights through the MGM purchase, but this agreement cements its role in shaping Bond’s cinematic future.
A New Joint Venture
As part of the transition, Amazon’s MGM Studios, Wilson, and Broccoli have established a joint venture that will retain ownership of the Bond intellectual property rights. While Amazon will take the creative reins, Wilson and Broccoli remain co-owners of the franchise, ensuring continuity in the brand’s legacy.
Expressing gratitude for the franchise’s past and enthusiasm for its future, Amazon’s Prime Video and MGM Studios head Mike Hopkins stated, “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.”
The Future of 007
Wilson and Broccoli confirmed that they are stepping back from producing Bond films to explore other projects. Wilson remarked, “Barbara and I agree, it is time for our trusted partner, Amazon MGM Studios, to lead James Bond into the future.”
Following the announcement, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos hinted at the future of the franchise by asking on X, “Who’d you pick as the next Bond?”
With over six decades of success, the Bond franchise remains one of the highest-grossing in history. Now under Amazon’s creative direction, the iconic spy series is expected to play a key role in expanding the company’s entertainment empire, including its Prime Video streaming platform, which boasts over 200 million global subscribers.