For fans of 007, the future of James Bond has never been more uncertain than it is right now. It’s been unavoidable reports of disharmony between Bond producers the Broccoli family and Amazon/MGM, especially since Daniel Craig’s final film No Time to Die. And now today comes the news from Deadline that many have been dreading: producers and longtime creative stewards Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson have relinquished creative control of the spy franchise to Amazon MGM Studios.
This new venture will find Broccoli and Wilson retaining co-ownership of the James Bond rights, but taking a step back creatively. The Broccoli family has been the major force behind Bond for more than sixty years, with Barbara taking over in 1996.
Broccoli and Wilson, the latter also a co-writer on multiple films since 1981’s For Your Eyes Only, have navigated 007 through changing attitudes, cultural shifts, and momentary fads. While the franchise has definitely had its ups and downs, Bond has stayed relevant with many different actors taking on the role. In fact, they found the greatest success with the latest Bond, Daniel Craig, someone Broccoli championed from the start. They have stood against rising momentum to alter James Bond drastically. Remember when some vocal fans wanted to cast a woman? Or to make him non-English?
But problems seemed to arise with the streaming revolution. No Time to Die was nearly sold to Amazon at one point to be a streaming exclusive, only for them to acquire it anyway with the purchase of MGM. Since that film’s release in 2021 and the conclusion of Craig’s run, there has been no movement on a new Bond amid reports of a breakdown in the relationship between the producers and Amazon/MGM.
Admittedly, I am not the biggest James Bond fan but my Dad loved it and I have always appreciated the way the Broccolis treated it as precious. You don’t see a glut of Bond content out there. There’s no Bond streaming series, you don’t get a new movie every year quality be damned. Attempts to do loads of spinoffs (remember Jinx?) never happened. It makes every Bond movie feel like a major event to get them so irregularly.
With Amazon/MGM taking over, that could all change. It will be just another brand to them. Similar to when Disney acquired Lucasfilm and the Star Wars franchise, we could see Bond content everywhere all of the time. The possibility of a Bond/Reacher crossover event is greater now than ever. That might sound ridiculous, but you know it at least has a chance of happening, don’t you?
This is going to have massive ripple effects around Hollywood.
Here’s what Wilson had to say: “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.”
Broccoli has always been the most vocal driver of James Bond’s creative plans, so it’s shocking to see here step away. Here’s what she 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.”
What do you think happens to James Bond now?
