NEW YORK (AP) 鈥� In a James Bond shakeup that stirred the film industry, announced Thursday that the studio has taken the creative reins of the 007 franchise after decades of family control. Longtime 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 鈥� but Amazon MGM will have creative control.
Financial terms weren鈥檛 disclosed. The deal is expected to close sometime this year.
鈥淲ith 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,鈥� Wilson said in a statement. 鈥淭herefore, Barbara and I agree, it is time for our trusted partner, Amazon MGM Studios, to lead James Bond into the future.鈥�
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 Broccoli and Wilson have reportedly clashed with Amazon MGM over the direction of Bond.
The announcement Thursday means that for the first time in the more than half a century of Bond, a Broccoli won't be greenlighting the next 007 film, Amazon MGM also anticipates expanding the franchise beyond movies.
鈥淲e 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 and their role in continuing the legacy of the franchise that is cherished by legions of fans worldwide,鈥� said Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios. 鈥淲e are honored to continue this treasured heritage, and look forward to ushering in the next phase of the legendary 007 for audiences around the world.鈥�
Bond had been a family business since Albert 鈥淐ubby鈥� Broccoli secured the rights to adaptations of Ian Fleming鈥檚 novels and kicked off a run of 25 Bond films produced by Eon Productions, beginning with 1962鈥檚 鈥淒r. No.鈥� Those movies have accrued $7.6 billion in box office.
In 1995, the elder Broccoli handed over control of Eon to his daughter, Broccoli, and stepson, Wilson. In recent years, the 64-year-old Broccoli has largely taken the lead as Wilson, 83, has aged into retirement.
鈥淢y life has been dedicated to maintaining and building upon the extraordinary legacy that was handed to Michael and me by our father, producer Cubby Broccoli,鈥� Broccoli said in a statement. 鈥淚 have had the honor of working closely with four of the tremendously talented actors who have played 007 and thousands of wonderful artists within the industry. With the conclusion of 鈥楴o Time to Die鈥� and Michael retiring from the films, I feel it is time to focus on my other projects."
Broccoli and Wilson鈥檚 previous standoff with Amazon MGM had essentially frozen development on the next Bond movie. No script, director or star has yet been announced for the next installment, an unusually long break for a franchise that has typically spaced films two or three years apart. Broccoli also produced the and the musical 鈥淏uena Vista Social Club,鈥� opening next month on Broadway.
A key point for the producers in the Amazon acquisition of MGM was a commitment to theatrically release James Bond films. That Bond's future is now in the hands of an e-commerce giant with one of the leading streaming services will immediately prompted doubts from some fans about Bond's new corporate overloads. Other billion-dollar movie franchises, such as the Disney-owned 鈥淪tar Wars鈥� and Marvel brands, have in recent years struggled with over-saturation.
Even Joe Russo, including 鈥淎vengers: Endgame,鈥� pleaded to Amazon MGM: 鈥淒ON'T cinematic universe James Bond.鈥�
鈥淚t is one of our last, great theatrical events,鈥� Russo said on X. 鈥淒on鈥檛 dilute that with a plethora of streaming spin-offs.鈥�
In an interview last fall ahead of alongside her brother, Broccoli told The Associated Press that, in an era of upheaval in the movie industry, boldness was necessary.
鈥淧eople are playing it very safe,鈥� Broccoli said. 鈥淚 think in times of crisis like this, you鈥檝e got to be brave.鈥�
Jake Coyle, The Associated Press
