In a major reshuffle for the film industry, Amazon MGM Studios said Thursday that it would take creative control of the James Bond franchise for longtime producers Michael Wilson and Barbara Broccoli.
The agreement comes in the midst of increasing speculation of the fate of one of the most popular franchises in the world, after a report by the Wall Street Journal in December said that a confrontation between the Broccoli family and the Commerce Giant electronics had brought the future of Bond on the break.
The latest Bond movie, No time to dieWho raised nearly 800 million US dollars at the world box office, was released in 2021 and was also the last appearance of Daniel Craig in the role.
Since then, the franchise has been looking for a new actor to play Bond, and there has been no announcement with regard to the chronology of the next film.
Amazon had bought the Bond parent studio, MGM, in 2022 as part of its media thrust, which had granted the company’s distribution rights to the longtime action franchise, but not to creative control.
The agreement with MGM had strengthened the incursion of the technology giant in the media sector, because it included a vast catalog with more than 4,000 films and 17,000 television programs, helping him to win more fields with the Rivals in Netflix and Disney +streaming.
Possible extension beyond films
Under the terms of the joint venture on Thursday, all the parties would remain co -owners of the intellectual property rights of the franchise, but Amazon MGM would have a creative control.
This would give the technology giant much more freedom in its approach to the series, while fans are waiting for the 26th Bond film and the revelation of which will put on the emblematic tuxedo after the release of Craig in 2021.
HAPPY VALLEY Actor James Norton, Divergent Star Theo James and Kick Actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson is one of those who have the highest probability of playing the suave spy, according to the Paris Ladbrokes website, although fans have also speculated on heavy goods vehicles, notably Idris Elba and Henry Cavill .
“We are honored to continue this precious heritage and we are impatient to set up the next phase of the legendary 007 for the public around the world,” said Mike Hopkins, Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios.
The announcement on Thursday also means that for the first time in addition to half a century of link, a broccoli will not be green green in the next film 007, or who picks who inherits his tuxedo. Amazon MGM also plans to extend the franchise beyond the films.
Inspired by the novels of Ian Fleming, the Bond franchise lasted over 60 years, returning more than $ 7 billion to the world box office, making it one of the most efficient of all time.
Throughout, the main creative decisions, including that becomes Bond, have stayed in the family thanks to massive changes in the company, including new business suzerains.
“With my career 007 extending over almost 60 incredible years, I recover from the production of James Bond films to focus on art and charitable projects. Consequently, Barbara and I agree for Our trusted partner, Amazon MGM Studios, to lead James Bond in the future, “said Wilson.
Wilson and Broccoli have been half-brothers and sisters who have been a guardians of the franchise since 1995.
