BILLIONAIRE businessmen are no strangers to featuring in the James Bond movies – and now, the film franchise has handed its entire creative control over to one.
Amazon’s MGM Studios, behind the likes of A Very Royal Scandal and The Handmaids Tale, have acquired the franchise from film producer Albert ‘Cubby’ Broccoli’s family dynasty.
Barbara has stepped down from having creative control over the franchise[/caption]
Amazon were behind spin-off show 007 Road to a Million[/caption]
Gaining creative control could mean that Amazon are free to make a James Bond spin-off TV series, which could see the famous spy on the box for the first time ever.
In a move that is certain to shake and stir, billionaire Jeffrey Bezos‘s Amazon struck up a deal with Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson, the current 007 masterminds.
The daughter and step-son of Cubby, who launched the Bond films in 1962, announced they are stepping down to make way for the new deal.
And while all three parties will have co-ownership of Bond, it will be Amazon MGM who have creative control over its projects.
It comes amid growing speculation about the fate of the films, with the next James Bond film, Bond 26, currently in pre-production with no official release date.
The new film will follow on more than four years since the release of No Time To Die, which marked Daniel Craig’s last appearance in the iconic role.
Amazon will now get a say in which actor will get the chance to take over the role – with names including Babygirl’s Harris Dickinson and Scottish actor Stuart Martin both tipped for the role.
There is still no timeframe for when fans can expect to see the film.
Last year, Amazon was behind spin-off show 007: Road to a Million, which was hosted by Succession actor Brian Cox.
The series challenged nine teams to race through a series of spy-themed challenges for a chance to win £1million.
Barbara Broccoli said of the deal: “My life has been dedicated to maintaining and building upon the extraordinary legacy that was handed to Michael and me.
“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.
“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.”
Michael added: “It is time for our trusted partner, Amazon MGM Studios, to lead James Bond into the future.”
Amazon’s Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM studios, said: “Since his theatrical introduction over 60 years ago, James Bond has been one of the most iconic characters in filmed entertainment.
“We are honoured to continue this treasured heritage, and look forward to ushering in the next phase of the legendary 007 for audiences around the world.”
Cubby Broccoli launched the franchise alongside co-producer Harry Saltzman with Dr No in 1962, starring Sean Connery as James Bond.
He was the mastermind behind the films until 1995, when daughter Barbara took over to produce GoldenEye.
Since then, Barbara and Michael have overseen the production of every Bond film.
Last year, bosses at Amazon were said to be embroiled in a row with the Broccoli’s over the next big budget blockbuster.
Insiders said at the time that Barbara saw Bond as a “lucrative family heirloom” and said she has a “den mother over all the stunts, explosions and egos”.
It comes just days after Bond fans theorised that an answer was coming on who was to replace Daniel Craig in the films.
Babygirl actor Harris set pulses racing this year starring alongside Nicole Kidman in the raunchy thriller, following an office romance between a high-flying CEO and a new recruit.
Across his career, he’s also appeared in Disney+’s A Murder At The End of The World, tragic wrestling drama The Iron Claw, and bizarre Oscar nominee Triangle of Sadness.
Pulp Kitchen Podcast put forward the theory in their latest episode, noting that, despite his impressive CV and rising star power, he has no upcoming projects listed on his IMDb.
Presenter George Pundek notes that, for comparison other current favourites – including Josh O’Connor and Aaron Taylor-Johnson – both have a number of projects in the works.
They note that Dickinson is at “the right point of his fame” in order to jump into the franchise.
The Broccoli’s previously had full creative control over the films[/caption]
Daniel Craig waved goodbye to his role in Bond with No Time To Die[/caption]
Michael and Barbara are still co-owners of the business[/caption]
