In a transfer that appears set to shake – and perhaps even stir – one in every of Hollywood’s most bankable franchises, Amazon MGM Studio is to take artistic management of James Bond, because the fictional British spy’s long-time producers step again.
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An settlement introduced on Thursday sees possession of the rights to 007 shared between the film behemoth and producers Michael Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, who’re heading into retirement.
The information comes 4 years after the final Bond movie, by which Daniel Craig bowed out as the key agent, with followers left to fill the meantime with hypothesis about who will change him.
Now with Amazon on the helm, the viewers might not have to attend too lengthy for the following installment – or for spin-offs.
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos wasted no time in soliciting opinions.
“Who’d you decide as the following Bond?” Bezos requested his 6.8 million followers on X.
The settlement confirms that Wilson and Broccoli won’t be concerned within the Bond franchise after they signed off in 2021 with “No Time to Die” – the twenty fifth James Bond film, which earned $775 million.
Wilson, whose profession with 007 spans practically 60 years, mentioned he would give attention to “artwork and charitable tasks,” whereas Broccoli has introduced plans to pursue different ventures.
Treasured heritage
“We’re honoured to proceed this treasured heritage,” mentioned Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, noting the franchise’s six-decade influence on movie tradition.
The deal builds on Amazon’s 2022 acquisition of MGM, which included distribution rights to Bond’s intensive again catalog.
The brand new association offers Amazon MGM Studios artistic authority over future productions of the franchise, which has been intently guarded by the Broccoli household since Albert “Cubby” Broccoli and Harry Saltzman first introduced writer Ian Fleming’s character to theaters.
Barbara Broccoli, who has labored with 4 completely different actors within the function of 007 – Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and Craig – described her tenure as “devoted to sustaining and constructing upon the extraordinary legacy” inherited from Cubby, her father.
Wilson and Broccoli have been steadfast in defending the James Bond character and model, and resisted spin-offs and licensing that they felt might need tarnished the franchise.
The monetary phrases of the three way partnership weren’t disclosed.
Response to the information on social media was largely downbeat, with followers lamenting what they noticed because the inevitable over-exploitation of the model by the Amazon juggernaut.
A number of customers tweeted variations on “RIP James Bond,” posting memes of headstones and franchise characters dying.
“DON’T cinematic universe James Bond,” wrote @joerussotweets, referring to the huge growth of Marvel characters below Disney possession.
“It’s one in every of our final, nice theatrical occasions. Don’t dilute that with a plethora of streaming spin-offs.”
Whereas the sometimes prolonged waits between installments may frustrate followers, some bemoaned the seemingly rushing up of the method.
“We used to get a (usually) superb James Bond film each few years, however that’s all out the window now. Prepare for Younger Q and 00 Origins: Trevelyan and different unwatchable Amazon Prime slop,” wrote @MikeBeauvais.
Who’s been the BEST James Bond so far – and who would you wish to be the following 007?
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