Amazon MGM Studios Takes Creative Control of James Bond Franchise
Image credits: Joel C Ryan/Invision/The Associated Press
Amazon MGM Studios is set to take creative control of the James Bond franchise, in a shock announcement that is sure to shake the industry. The news was made alongside the announcement that long-time producers and custodians of 007, Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, would be stepping back. As per details of the historic agreement, Amazon MGM Studios, Wilson, and Broccoli have formed a new joint venture to house the James Bond intellectual property rights. The three parties will remain co-owners of the iconic franchise but Amazon MGM will have creative control.
The announcement comes after Amazon bought MGM for $8.5 billion in 2022, acquiring a vast catalog with more than 4,000 films and 17,000 TV shows alongside the rights to distribute all of the James Bond films. The last Bond film, "No Time to Die" — the 25th James Bond film and Daniel Craig's fifth and final turn as 007 — was released in 2021 and earned $775 million. Since then, despite endless speculation in the press, there have been no announcements regarding the timeline for production of the next film or Craig's replacement. The deal with MGM had bolstered the tech giant's foray into the media business, as it included a vast catalogue with more than 4,000 films and 17,000 TV shows, helping it gain more ground with streaming rivals Netflix and Disney+.
Under the terms of the joint venture, all parties would remain co-owners of the franchise's intellectual property rights, but Amazon MGM would have full creative control. This would give the tech giant a lot more freedom in its approach to the series, as fans await the 26th Bond film and the reveal of who will don the iconic tuxedo after Craig's 2021 exit. Some of the actors rumored to be in the running to play the next Bond include Happy Valley actor James Norton, Divergent star Theo James, and Kick-Ass actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson. The announcement also means that for the first time in the more than half a century of Bond, a Broccoli won't be greenlighting the next 007 film, or picking who inherits his tux.
The James Bond franchise has spanned over 60 years, grossing more than $7 billion US at the global box office, making it one of the most successful ever. Inspired by Ian Fleming's novels, the franchise has seen many changes in the business, including new corporate overlords. With the conclusion of "No Time to Die" and Michael retiring from the films, Barbara Broccoli feels it is time to focus on her other projects. The future of the franchise is uncertain, but one thing is clear - Amazon MGM Studios is now in charge, and fans will have to wait and see what the tech giant has in store for the iconic character.
Some of the upcoming events and releases related to the James Bond franchise include:
- The release of the next Bond film, which is expected to be announced soon
- The reveal of the new actor who will play Bond, which is highly anticipated by fans
- The expansion of the franchise beyond movies, which is expected to include TV shows and other media
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