Amazon now leads James Bond films, ending Broccoli family's longtime control

Amazon MGM Studios will now control the James Bond film franchise after longtime producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson announced they are stepping down, reports BBC News. According to the outlet, this shift in control confirms the end of a family dynasty that began when Albert "Cubby" Broccoli launched the series in 1962.

The change comes four years after Daniel Craig's final appearance in "No Time to Die" (2021),  with no announcement yet about who will take over the iconic role. BBC notes that while Broccoli and Wilson will remain co-owners of the franchise through a new joint venture, the creative decisions now rest with Amazon, which acquired Bond's parent studio MGM in 2022. BBC also reports that this deal helps explain the lengthy delay without any announcement about the 26th official Bond film or its star, potentially breaking the record for the longest period between Bond releases.

After nearly 60 years with the franchise, Michael Wilson, 83, stated he's stepping back to focus on art and charitable projects, says The Hollywood Reporter, which details how the joint venture transaction will restructure control of the 60-year-old movie property. Barbara Broccoli, 64, echoed the sentiment in the article, noting she'll now concentrate on other projects after dedicating her life to maintaining the extraordinary legacy handed down by her father.

The Hollywood Reporter adds that Amazon acquired MGM in 2022, including rights to distribute all Bond films, and will now control future creative decisions for the franchise that has spanned 25 films. This announcement comes amid ongoing speculation about "Bond 26" and who might replace Daniel Craig, whose final appearance earned $775 million globally.

The announcement from About Amazon has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, described by Variety as news that will "shake and, indeed, stir" Hollywood. In its report, Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, expressed gratitude to the original producers and the Broccoli family for their dedication to the character who has been one of entertainment's most iconic figures for over six decades.

Variety reports that despite Amazon's 2022 purchase of MGM for $8.5 billion, which included distribution rights to the Bond catalog, this new arrangement represents a fundamental shift in creative control that Variety characterizes as a "shock announcement." 

The publication notes that despite endless speculation in the press following "No Time to Die," there have been no announcements regarding production timelines for the next film or who might step into the role after Craig; this indicates that Amazon may now make these decisions as it looks to usher in "the next phase of the legendary 007 for audiences around the world."