The announcement surprised many. On February 20, Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson revealed their intention to transfer control of the franchise to Amazon MGM Studios. For over sixty years, the Broccoli family has been behind the scenes, bringing new adventures of the famous spy to life. During their tenure, four actors have portrayed 007. In 2021, they were still in charge when Daniel Craig bid farewell to the character.
Fans of the British spy have been eagerly awaiting news of a new film, with speculation surrounding who will take on the iconic role. However, the involvement of Amazon raised concerns, as reports suggested tension between the legendary producers and the e-commerce giant. Barbara Broccoli allegedly refused to continue developing James Bond 26 under these conditions, stating, “These people are idiots, so no script, no story, and no new Bond.” Ultimately, Amazon will take creative control of the character for a rumored sum of one billion.
According to Deadline, Amazon MGM Studios is working to find successors for Broccoli and Wilson, with Amy Pascal and David Heyman being potential candidates. Pascal has worked on major franchises like Spider-Man, while Heyman is known for his involvement in the Harry Potter series. If negotiations with these producers conclude successfully, it could mark a new era for the character created by Ian Fleming. Amazon is also reportedly considering expanding the James Bond mythology through spin-off projects, but it remains uncertain if the franchise can reinvent itself without its historic producers.
