Let’s give a moment of silence for James Bond as the character is officially dead after 62 years.
[…]
The film adaptations of James Bond started on October 10, 1962, starring Sean Connery in Dr. No. Twenty-five more films would be made with the last released in 2021 starring Daniel Craig, No Time To Die. Well, it turns out it was James Bond’s time to die.
What happened?
It’s learned that Amazon Studios now has full control over James Bond. On Thursday, long-time owners Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson handed over the reins of the franchise to Amazon who purchased the rights in 2022 for $8.5 Billion. While Broccoli and Wilson still retain an ownership stake, they have relinquished all creative control. It’s expected that Broccoli and Wilson will receive another payout and take part in future profits going forward.
The trades are reporting this will enable Amazon to move “more quickly to figure out how to keep Bond relevant” and to “really reimagine” the series.
Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson respond
The 82-year-old Michael G. Wilson said in a statement, “I am stepping back from producing the James Bond films to focus on art and charitable projects.”
Barbara Broccoli, 64, added, “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.”
Daniel Craig reacts
“My respect, admiration and love for Barbara and Michael remain constant and undiminished,” Craig said in a statement to Entertainment Weekly. “I wish Michael a long, relaxing (and well-deserved) retirement and whatever ventures Barbara goes on to do, I know they will be spectacular and I hope I can be part of them.”
What’s next for James Bond at Amazon?
Everything James Bond is currently on hold as the deal is still subject to regulatory approval and expected to close sometime this year.
A new movie has been said to be in development, but it has been in creative hell, in part due to it said how Broccoli and Wilson were clashing with Amazon. A recent report from the WSJ said Broccoli referred to Amazon as f’n idiots.
It’s reported that Broccoli and Wilson kept James Bond close to their chest and oversaw everything with fine tooth comb, while other studios wanted to take Bond in a different direction, including TV series, spinoffs, and a Bond cinematic universe similar to Star Wars and Marvel.
Following the announcement of the deal, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos took to social media to ask fans who they want to play the next James Bond. Fans overwhelmingly responded with Henry Cavill.
Amazon will now begin to look for their “Kathleen Kennedy” and “Kevin Feige” of their new Bond universe prior to casting a new actor as 007.
Who’d you pick as the next Bond? pic.twitter.com/u7nBaRROlf
— Jeff Bezos (@JeffBezos) February 20, 2025
