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Shaken, not stirred — that’s how the James Bond franchise just experienced its biggest shake-up in over six decades. The iconic spy series, which has been under the careful watch of the Broccoli family since Dr. No in 1962, is officially entering a new era. For the first time in its history, Amazon MGM Studios has finalised a deal with longtime producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, taking over the creative direction of James Bond moving forward. While the Broccoli family will remain co-owners, Amazon is now in the driver’s seat, overseeing the future of 007.
This transition marks the end of Wilson’s nearly 60-year tenure overseeing the Bond films. He confirmed in a statement that he is stepping back from producing to focus on personal projects, “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 also shared her thoughts, “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.”
“Since his theatrical introduction over 60 years ago, James Bond has been one of the most iconic characters in filmed entertainment,” said head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios Mike Hopkins. “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 handover follows years of speculation about what would happen after No Time to Die, which saw Daniel Craig’s definitive exit from the role in 2021. Since then, updates on Bond 26 have been scarce, with fan speculation running rampant about who would be the next actor to don the tuxedo.
Amazon, which acquired MGM and its catalogue for US$8.5 billion in 2022, had already secured distribution rights to the Bond films. The new deal, however, puts them firmly in control of the franchise’s creative future. This move is significant, considering past reports in the Wall Street Journal that Broccoli and Amazon executives clashed over the studio’s vision for Bond. Amazon reportedly saw 007 as a brand ripe for expansion, with talk of spin-offs and streaming series. Broccoli, on the other hand, has been protective of Bond’s cinematic prestige, preferring the traditional approach of theatrical exclusivity and long-term, carefully crafted storytelling.
With Amazon now in control, Bond 26 is likely to move forward at a much faster pace. The studio will undoubtedly seek to maximise the value of the franchise, meaning additional projects beyond the mainline films are almost inevitable. What remains unclear is how this shift will affect Bond’s legacy on the big screen, as the last several films, including Skyfall and Spectre, were massive box office draws, proving that audiences still crave the experience of a Bond film in theatres. Amazon has previously stated its commitment to theatrical releases, but with its streaming ambitions, changes to Bond’s distribution strategy could be on the horizon.
The search for the next Bond has been ongoing since Craig’s departure, with names like Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Idris Elba frequently appearing in fan discussions. However, no official casting decisions have been announced. There is also the lingering question of whether other elements of the Bond universe will be reimagined under new creative leadership. Longtime staples like M, Q, and Moneypenny could be recast or given expanded roles, depending on the direction Amazon chooses to take.
Regardless of how things unfold, James Bond’s future looks busier than ever. The days of waiting years between instalments might be coming to an end, and for better or worse, Amazon is determined to make Bond a dominant force in entertainment. What’s certain is that change is coming, and Bond fans should prepare for a very different era of espionage.
Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, and anime — you name it. When she’s not reading or being a dedicated cinephile, she’s probably playing gacha and tabletop games, or daydreaming of Caleb from Love and Deepspace.
Kevin Low
