Amazon Shakeup: Studio Head Fired Over James Bond, Rings of Power

Thursday afternoon brought the big news that Jennifer Salke, head of Amazon MGM Studios, had stepped down after seven years.

While it’s been claimed it was her decision and that she will be moving on to producing, it’s actually said that Amazon fired her—reportedly due to the recent James Bond deal and even the failure of The Rings of Power. Christopher Nolan might also have something to do with the decision.

Update: The Citadel TV series bombing is also being blamed.

James Bond clash

Amazon recently purchased the entire rights to James Bond, with it announced Amy Pascal and David Heyman will be running things.

According to Deadline, that’s what sealed Jennifer Salke’s fate. Coming from more of a TV background, she reportedly clashed with Pascal, Heyman, and longtime Bond producer Barbara Broccoli. Under Salke’s leadership, Amazon developed The Rings of Power, The Wheel of Time, Reacher, Jack Ryan, The Boys, Citadel, and more.

According to the site’s sources, Jennifer Salke wasn’t involved in the talks surrounding the James Bond deal, which reportedly cost another billion dollars on top of the previous deal worth $8.5 billion.

Amy Pascal and David Heyman are said to have negotiated with former Warner Bros. film executive Courtenay Valenti, who had been working under Salke. Salke’s role won’t be replaced, as Valenti will now report directly to Amazon MGM Studios head Mike Hopkins.

It’s claimed that as a condition of singing on to oversee the James Bond franchise at Amazon that Pascal and Heyman requested that they report to Valenti, and not Salke.

It’s also said that Barbara Broccoli didn’t get along with Jennifer Salke. A recent Wall Street Journal report claimed Broccoli called Amazon “f’n idiots.” Reportedly, when Amazon owner Jeff Bezos heard what Broccoli said, he ordered James Bond to be acquired at any cost—and wanted Broccoli out.

Reports claim that under Jennifer Salke, Amazon wanted to take the James Bond franchise in a new direction—with a female lead and spinoffs featuring diverse characters in a Marvel-style cinematic universe. Rumors say Jeff Bezos pushed back, sending a company-wide memo stating that James Bond will remain British and male.

Rings of Power fades

The Rings of Power is also cited as a factor. As the most expensive TV show in history, it’s been reported that the series has lost a substantial portion of its viewership. Deadline says:

The high priced Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, weren’t game changing enough to cover off an executive who spent a lot of money with not enough results.

Christopher Nolan wanted by Amazon to direct

Christopher Nolan might also be a major reason behind Salke’s exit.

Deadline notes that the controversy over not giving Road House a theatrical release may have contributed to her dismissal, with director Doug Liman publicly voicing his frustration.

It’s worth noting that Nolan left Warner Bros. after they released their entire 2020 slate simultaneously in theaters and on streaming. He’s now reportedly a contender to direct Amazon’s new James Bond film.