The news that Amazon has secured creative control of the James Bond franchise has sent shockwaves through the fanbase and Hollywood alike.
For years, the Broccoli family and Michael G. Wilson have carefully guarded the 007 legacy, but with Amazon now at the helm, many fear the spy saga could face a future under corporate hands that prioritise content over craft.
"Quite possibly the worst thing to happen to this franchise," wrote film critic Griffen Schiller on X, reflecting the general dismay of many fans.
Casting and choosing directors were overseen by. Wilson and Broccoli, the children of legendary Bond producer Albert ‘Cubby’ Broccoli. Now that will be firmly in Amazon’s hands.
Broccoli and Wilson will continue as “co-owners of the franchise," while Amazon MGM Studios will now take over “creative control" of James Bond.
Broccoli has fiercely protected Bond’s artistic direction, famously calling Amazon’s executives “f***ing idiots” and accusing them of viewing Bond merely as “content.”
The outburst, reported by The Wall Street Journal, raised eyebrows long before Amazon’s deal was finalised, but now that it’s official, the comments have re-emerged as the full implications hit fans hard.
Broccoli, described by an industry insider to The Telegraph as a formidable producer, has long fought for Bond in a male-dominated industry.
Her stewardship, alongside Wilson, has ensured the franchise evolved while staying true to its roots. Pierce Brosnan, who played 007 in the 1990s and early 2000s, when she first officially hopped on board, praised Broccoli’s commitment, saying, “She will always fight for Bond.”
But skepticism runs deep. Fans remember the disappointing reception of Amazon’s high-budget series Citadel, which struggled despite hefty investment.
Worse still, there’s fear that Amazon’s hands-on approach to world-building, seen with The Rings of Power and The Lord of the Rings prequel, could lead Bond down a similar path of forced expansion
“Amazon is going to scrape the barrel here and be as shameless as possible,” another fan tweeted. The Broccoli family’s stewardship of Bond has always been about balance - innovating while respecting the legacy.
The worry now is that Amazon, with its emphasis on content and sprawling franchises, might overshadow the core essence of Bond.
Could the next 007 film become just another cog in the tech giant’s global empire, with spin-offs and serialized storytelling taking precedence over the character’s timeless appeal?
Still, some fans remain cautiously optimistic, pointing to Amazon’s successful ventures in the action genre. "Amazon has given us Reacher, The Terminal List, and Jack Ryan,” one fan tweeted, acknowledging the streamer’s competence in action-packed storytelling.
“The question is, will Bond join them, or will it get the Rings of Power treatment?” Others echo this sentiment, highlighting the importance of selecting the right director and writers for the future of 007.
“As a lifelong Bond fan, I’m not ready to say the sky is falling,” one fan added. "If they fast-track Bond 26 carefully, we might still get something good."
Amazon secured the rights to the iconic 007 series when it acquired MGM for $8.45 billion (£6.69 billion) in 2022, integrating it into its parent studio.
There has been increasing speculation about the future of the series, with no announcement of a new actor to play the famous spy since Craig’s final portrayal in 2021’s No Time to Die.
In 2022, Amazon acquired MGM, including the rights to distribute James Bond films – and will now have control of the intellectual property rights, it was announced on Thursday.
Reacting to the news, the former Bond star Daniel Craig, 56, who Broccoli championed to step in as the spy amid backlash to him not fitting into the cookie-cutter suave Bond mold, told Variety: “My respect, admiration and love for Barbara and Michael remain constant and undiminished.
“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,” the star who played 007 from 2006-2021 added.
A statement said the Broccoli family and Amazon MGM Studios “have formed a new joint venture to house the James Bond intellectual property rights, and those parties will remain co-owners of the franchise.”
Wilson said: “With 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.
“Therefore, Barbara and I agree, it is time for our trusted partner, Amazon MGM Studios, to lead James Bond into the future.”
Broccoli added: “My 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.
“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.”
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 grateful to the late Albert R Broccoli and Harry Saltzman for bringing James Bond to movie theatres 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.
“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.”
The deal is expected to close in 2025, subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.
