James Bond, the iconic British spy, is entering a new era as Amazon acquires the rights to the franchise in a groundbreaking $1 billion deal. This marks the end of a long-standing partnership between Danjaq LLC (EON Productions) and MGM Studios, which has been the creative force behind the Bond films for decades. The deal comes after a four-year impasse following the release of “No Time To Die” in 2021.
Amazon, having bought MGM for $8.45 billion, has been eager to dive into the lucrative franchise. However, EON’s Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, who have been at the helm of the Bond films since 1995, were initially resistant to the idea.
Broccoli, the daughter of legendary producer Albert “Cubby” Broccoli, grew up on Bond sets and has been deeply involved in the franchise’s success. Wilson, Cubby’s stepson, started as a production assistant on “Goldfinger” in 1964 and has co-written five Bond screenplays.
Amazon’s $1 billion Bond acquisition
The decision to step away from the franchise couldn’t have been easy for the duo. As Broccoli told Variety in 2020, “I thought James Bond was a real person until I was 7 or 8.”
With Amazon now in control, the future of the Bond franchise is uncertain. The global behemoth understands the huge responsibility and high expectations that come with the territory.
Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, said, “We 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.”
Fans are speculating about who will take on the coveted role of James Bond. Henry Cavill, a popular choice among fans, may be on the upper end of the age spectrum at 41. As for Broccoli and Wilson, they are stepping back to focus on other projects.
They are collaborating on the upcoming remake of Cubby Broccoli’s 1968 classic, “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,” based on Ian Fleming’s beloved children’s book. The Bond franchise has been a staple of cinema for over 60 years, and its future is now in the hands of Amazon. Only time will tell how the studio will handle the iconic spy and his adventures.
