Amazon MGM takes creative reins of James Bond, ending an era of family control of 007

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Source: Associated Press, via WTOP

Amazon MGM takes creative reins of James Bond, ending an era of family control of 007

The Associated Press
February 20, 2025, 10:29 AM

NEW YORK (AP) — In a James Bond shakeup that stirred the film industry, Amazon MGM announced Thursday that the studio has taken the creative reins of the 007 franchise after decades of family control. Longtime Bond custodians Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli said they would be stepping back.

Amazon MGM Studios, Wilson and Broccoli formed a new joint venture in which they will co-own James Bond intellectual property rights — but Amazon MGM will have creative control. ... Financial terms weren’t disclosed. The deal is expected to close sometime this year.

“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,” Wilson said in a statement. “Therefore, Barbara and I agree, it is time for our trusted partner, Amazon MGM Studios, to lead James Bond into the future.”

Amazon bought MGM Studios in 2022 for $6.1 billion, a purchase that was significantly motivated by the acquisition of one of the movies’ most beloved and long-running franchises. Since the Daniel Craig era of 007 concluded with 2021’s “No Time to Die,” Broccoli and Wilson have reportedly clashed with Amazon MGM over the direction of Bond.

{Snip}

Read more: https://wtop.com/entertainment/2025/02/amazon-mgm-takes-creative-reins-of-james-bond-ending-an-era-of-family-control-of-007/

[Itchinjim]

1. A Bond villain in an era of Bond villains now has control of Bond.

How fitting.

[BoRaGard]

2. Buh bye Broccoli - musical tribute

[Sneederbunk]

3. Franchise to be renamed Lame Don.

[Diamond_Dog]

4. Surprised Traitor didn't take it over

So he could put himself in the starring role.

[not fooled]

5. Because it went so well with Tolkein's work

when Amazon bought the rights.

Gaaaccckkk.....

[highplainsdem]

6. Bezos is already posting about it:

Link to tweet

[Wonder Why]

8. eloon guts CIA so bezos guts MI5 (or is it 6?)

[LudwigPastorius]

9. There is no way in hell they will in this fascist political climate, but...

I so badly want the next bond to be Jaimie Bond, a black lesbian with a license to kill.

[bmichaelh]

10. No more Fleming novels or stories to adapt

The producers stopped directly adapting Ian Fleming novels years ago.

They either tried to amalgamate several Fleming plots and/or something new.

[travelingthrulife]

11. I have never been able to finish even one James Bond movie. Boring character

[mdbl]

12. Another interesting take in the variety article

https://variety.com/2025/film/news/amazon-james-bond-next-movie-limbo-1236314095/

I am convinced the creative control over the franchise until now has been Bond's biggest advantage. I have enjoyed most of the bond films - especially the earlier versions. The later versions violence became somewhat more graphic and gritty and less enjoyable for me but probably because I am old and loved the "save the world while making a joke" genre of the early films.

I am sure Amazon will turn it into something unrecognizable. Whether the public eats it up the same way I used to will be up to the generations after me. At least I still have all the DVD's. Many thanks to the Broccoli family for all the years or work. I can understand being exhausted with it at this point - especially when fighting with oligarchs whose only skin in the game is making a quick buck with short term goals and no creative vision and, more importantly, no loyalty to anything except the stock price.

[hunter]

13. I'm boycotting everything Amazon, at least while the republican party is in power...

... and probably forever.

I've deleted my Amazon account and abandoned my Amazon library of ebooks and movies.

There's no way James Bond can be James Bond working for Jeff Bezos.

Bond would blow up the Amazon fortress and walk away with a hot woman, flames in the background, as Bezos was torn apart and eaten by his own crocodiles.