Amazon MGM Studios takes control of James Bond franchise

• Amazon MGM Studios now has full creative control of the James Bond franchise following a new joint venture with longtime producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli. Wilson and Broccoli are stepping away from the franchise to focus on other projects.
• With Wilson and Broccoli’s departure, the search for the next James Bond continues.
• Fans have mixed reactions to Amazon MGM Studios taking control of the franchise, comparing it to their handling of “The Rings of Power.”

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Amazon MGM Studios now has full creative control of the James Bond franchise. The move, which was announced Thursday, Feb. 20, follows a new joint venture with longtime producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli.

James Bond first hit theaters in 1962. The character’s big-screen debut in “Dr. No” was spearheaded by Albert R. Broccoli, Barbara Broccoli’s father, and Harry Saltzman.

In 2022, Amazon acquired MGM, gaining access to more than 4,000 films and 17,000 TV shows. The deal included distribution rights to the Bond films.

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Producers step back from James Bond franchise

Wilson and Broccoli, who have overseen the James Bond franchise for decades, are now stepping away.

“I have had the honour of working closely with four of the tremendously talented actors who have played 007 and thousands of wonderful artists within the industry,” Broccoli said in a statement. “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.”

Wilson echoed Broccoli’s sentiments.

“I am stepping back from producing the James Bond films to focus on art and charitable projects,” Wilson said. “Therefore, Barbara and I agree, it is time for our trusted partner, Amazon MGM Studios, to lead James Bond into the future.”

Search for next James Bond continues

With Wilson and Broccoli stepping back, the next big challenge for Amazon MGM Studios is finding a new James Bond.

Daniel Craig portrayed 007 in five films, starting with “Casino Royale” in 2006 and ending with “No Time to Die” in 2021. In the franchise’s latest installment, Bond dies, marking Craig’s exit from the role. The search for a new James Bond has been ongoing since Craig’s first film.

Even Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos weighed in, asking his Instagram followers, “Who would you pick as the next Bond?”

Fans react to Amazon MGM Studios taking control

Thursday’s announcement sparked mixed reactions from fans. Some expressed excitement and curiosity about the future of the James Bond franchise.

Others were less optimistic. One Reddit user commented, “Given how Amazon have handled LOTR / ‘Rings of Power,’ can’t say I’m thrilled by this.”

Amazon acquired the TV rights to “The Lord of the Rings” in 2017. The deal required Amazon to commit to producing at least five seasons of a new series.

The first season of “The Rings of Power” received praise for its cinematography and visual effects. However, some viewers criticized the show’s pacing and character development. Despite mixed reviews, the show attracted tens of millions of viewers globally and helped boost Amazon Prime subscriptions.

Still, data from Luminate shows that season two of “The Rings of Power” experienced a 60% drop in total viewing minutes compared to season one.

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Next phase of James Bond franchise begins

With Broccoli and Wilson stepping away from the James Bond franchise, Amazon MGM Studios is set to take the character into a new era. The head of Prime Video and MGM Studios says the company looks forward to ushering in the next phase of 007.