NEW YORK — In a major shift in the film industry, Amazon MGM has announced that it has taken over the creative direction of the James Bond franchise, ending decades of management by the Broccoli family. This change was unveiled on Thursday, marking a significant transformation for one of cinema’s most iconic series. Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, who have been the longtime stewards of the franchise, revealed that they will be stepping back from their roles.
Under this new arrangement, a joint venture has been created between Amazon MGM Studios and the Broccoli family, allowing them to jointly own the intellectual property rights associated with James Bond. However, it will be Amazon MGM that holds the reins creatively. Specific financial details of the agreement have not been made public, but it is expected to finalize later this year.
Wilson reflected on his lengthy career in a statement, noting, “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.” He emphasized that it was the right moment for Amazon MGM Studios to take the lead in shaping the future of Bond. Since Amazon acquired MGM for $6.1 billion in 2022, part of the motivation was to take ownership of the beloved Bond franchise. Tensions regarding the direction of the series had reportedly arisen following the conclusion of Daniel Craig’s tenure in “No Time to Die” (2021).
This announcement signifies a historical moment—the first time in over 50 years that a member of the Broccoli family will not be overseeing the production of a new Bond film, including decisions regarding the casting of the next actor to don the iconic tuxedo. Moreover, Amazon MGM plans to explore ways to expand the Bond franchise beyond traditional movie releases.
Mike Hopkins, who heads Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, expressed gratitude for the contributions of the late Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman in bringing Bond to life on screen, and acknowledged the dedicated efforts of Wilson and Broccoli in maintaining the franchise’s legacy. He stated his enthusiasm for continuing to uphold this treasured heritage while looking forward to the next chapter of 007’s story for global audiences.
The Bond franchise has been a primarily family-led initiative ever since Albert “Cubby” Broccoli secured the rights to Ian Fleming’s novels and initiated the production of the first Bond film, “Dr. No,” in 1962. To date, the series includes 25 films and has generated an impressive $7.6 billion at the box office. In 1995, Cubby Broccoli passed the baton to his daughter, Barbara Broccoli, and stepson, Michael G. Wilson, with Barbara taking on a major leadership role as Wilson began to retire.
Reflecting on her journey, Broccoli expressed her pride in building upon the extraordinary legacy established by her father. She noted her honor in working closely with several talented actors who portrayed Bond and stated, “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.”
Notably, the ongoing tension between Broccoli, Wilson, and Amazon MGM had stalled the development of the next Bond film, resulting in an unusually prolonged hiatus for a franchise that usually releases films every two to three years. Adding to her portfolio, Broccoli is also producing the upcoming Broadway musical “Buena Vista Social Club,” set to debut next month.
Another essential aspect of the Amazon acquisition was the commitment to ensuring James Bond films will receive theatrical releases. However, fans have begun expressing concerns over an e-commerce giant taking control of the franchise, especially in light of complications observed in other franchises, like Disney’s “Star Wars” and Marvel Cinematic Universe films, which have faced criticism for over-saturation.
Joe Russo, who co-directed several Marvel films, famously cautioned Amazon MGM on social media, urging them to avoid creating a cinematic universe around Bond. “It is one of our last, great theatrical events,” he remarked. “Don’t dilute that with a plethora of streaming spin-offs.”
In an interview, Barbara Broccoli articulated her feelings on the current film industry landscape, indicating that a bold approach is needed during these transformative times. She remarked, “People are playing it very safe. I think in times of crisis like this, you’ve got to be brave.”
