Amazon MGM Studios is to gain creative control of the James Bond franchise following a deal with 007’s long-term producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli.
Wilson and Broccoli have formed a new joint venture with Amazon MGM Studios to house the James Bond intellectual property rights, and will remain co-owners of the franchise.
As a result of the new transaction, Amazon MGM Studios will have creative control over future Bond productions while Broccoli and Wilson will step down.
The new deal comes after mounting speculation about the future of James Bond, four years after the release of No Time to Die, which was also Daniel Craig's final appearance in the role.
Amazon will now decide which actor will take over the famous character, but there is still no timescale for when that that will happen or when the next film will be made.
Since the acquisition of MGM and its catalogue in 2022, Amazon has held the rights to distribute all of the James Bond films.
Broccoli said: “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.”
“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. Therefore, Barbara and I agree, it is time for our trusted partner, Amazon MGM Studios, to lead James Bond into the future,” said Wilson.
“Since his theatrical introduction over 60 years ago, James Bond has been one of the most iconic characters in filmed entertainment,” said Mike Hopkins, Head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios. “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 that is cherished by legions of fans worldwide. We are honoured to continue this treasured heritage, and look forward to ushering in the next phase of the legendary 007 for audiences around the world.”
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