New York, NY – In late January of 2024, Barbara Broccoli, the longtime producer of James Bond films, attended a performance of her stage musical “Buena Vista Social Club” at the Atlantic Theater in New York. The evening was also attended by three top executives from Amazon MGM Studios – Jennifer Salke, Courtenay Valenti, and Julie Rapaport. Discussions were centered around the future of the James Bond franchise under Amazon’s ownership, following the studio’s acquisition of MGM in 2022 for $8.5 billion. Sources revealed that Broccoli left the meeting feeling uninspired by the studio’s plans and discussions soon began about potentially relinquishing creative control of the iconic James Bond brand, which is seen as one of the last untapped mega-brands comparable to Lucasfilm, Marvel, and DC.
Amazon’s acquisition of the James Bond franchise has been a year-long process that is expected to give the tech giant full control over the property, including its TV, licensing, spinoff, and cinematic universe potential. Regulatory approval in the U.S. and U.K. is still pending but is expected to be finalized this year. Amazon’s executive chairman Jeff Bezos played a key role in the acquisition, ensuring that Broccoli and her half-brother, Michael Wilson, retain a financial stake in the property and exploring ways to bring Bond into the digital age.
Former Amazon Studios chief Roy Price commented on the acquisition, comparing owning the Bond franchise without control over its direction to owning a Ferrari but not being able to drive it. The decision for the Broccoli siblings to cede creative control comes after years of resistance to fully exploit the Bond property, with disagreements between Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson at times hindering broader expansion of the brand.
Despite the success and longevity of the James Bond franchise, some critics have pointed out the caution exercised by Broccoli in maximizing the character’s potential. Renowned directors like Christopher Nolan have expressed interest in working on a Bond film but faced restrictions on creative control under Broccoli’s oversight. The balance between modernizing the iconic character and maintaining the essence of Bond’s charm and sophistication remains a challenge for those involved in the franchise.
As Amazon prepares to take the reins on the James Bond franchise, industry observers are confident in the potential for high-quality Bond films under the tech giant’s leadership. However, concerns linger about the studio’s track record with TV series, as costly productions like “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” have failed to meet expectations. Amazon’s next steps for the Bond franchise include prioritizing film projects and securing producers with a track record of successful cinematic universes.
Despite the impending changes under Amazon’s ownership, Barbara Broccoli remains creatively involved with the studio and continues to work on new projects, including a remake of “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.” The deal closure between Broccoli, Wilson, and Amazon will pave the way for the studio to move forward with hiring writers, directors, and talent for future Bond productions. With anticipation building for the next phase of the Bond franchise under Amazon’s control, the tech giant faces both challenges and opportunities in reimagining the iconic spy series for a new era.