Shocking deal: Amazon takes over rights of Bond franchise

The James Bond movie franchise is heading into a new eera,with Amazon MGM Studios and longtime Bond producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli forming a joint venture to oversee the legendary spy series.

Amazon takes over creative control

Under the new agreement, Amazon MGM Studios will have full creative control over the James Bond franchise, while Wilson and Broccoli will remain co-owners of the 60-year-old property. This marks a major shift for the series, which has long been steered by the Broccoli family.

Amazon’s involvement in Bond began in 2022, when it acquired MGM and its vast film and TV catalog, which includes over 4,000 films and 17,000 TV shows. Since then, Amazon has held distribution rights to all past Bond films, and with this new deal, it will now spearhead future productions.

A new era for 007

Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, praised the Broccoli family’s contributions and expressed excitement about leading Bond into the future.

“We are grateful to the late Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman for bringing James Bond to movie theaters around the world, and to Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli for their unyielding dedication,” Hopkins said. “We are honored to continue this treasured heritage and look forward to ushering in the next phase of the legendary 007.”

Wilson and Broccoli step back

Wilson announced he would be retiring from Bond productions to focus on art and charitable projects.

“Barbara and I agree, it is time for our trusted partner, Amazon MGM Studios, to lead James Bond into the future,” he stated.

Broccoli, who has been a driving force behind the franchise, also confirmed she would be stepping away after overseeing four James Bond actors and decades of films.

“My life has been dedicated to maintaining and building upon the extraordinary legacy handed to Michael and me by our father, producer Cubby Broccoli,” she said. “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’s next for Bond?

The news comes as speculation about Bond 26 continues to swirl. Daniel Craig’s departure in 2021’s No Time to Die left the role of 007 wide open, and fans have been eagerly waiting for an update on the next actor to don the tuxedo.

With Amazon now in charge of the creative direction, the franchise is poised for its biggest transformation in decades. The question remains—who will be the next James Bond?