Amazon’s MGM Studios has secured full creative control of the James Bond franchise in a landmark deal announced Thursday with longtime producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson.
The agreement marks a significant shift for the iconic spy series, as Broccoli and Wilson will step back from creative decision-making while remaining co-owners through a new joint venture with Amazon MGM. The deal ends a period of uncertainty for the franchise, which has not produced a new film since 2021’s “No Time to Die.”
“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,” said Broccoli, who inherited oversight of the franchise from her father, producer Cubby Broccoli. Wilson echoed these sentiments, expressing confidence in Amazon MGM’s ability to “lead James Bond into the future.”
The agreement represents a dramatic turnaround in the relationship between Amazon and Broccoli, who previously expressed strong reservations about the studio’s approach to entertainment development. According to The Wall Street Journal, Broccoli had described Amazon development executives as “f— idiots” as recently as December.
Minutes after the announcement, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos took to X (formerly Twitter) to ask his followers who should be cast as the next James Bond, signaling the company’s eagerness to move forward with new projects.
The deal comes as Amazon seeks to capitalize on its $8.5 billion acquisition of MGM in 2021. While financial terms were not disclosed, the agreement gives Amazon creative latitude to potentially develop Bond-related content beyond the main film series, something Broccoli had previously restricted.
