It’s the end of an era for the James Bond film franchise, with an announcement that’s set to leave fans and industry insiders both shaken and stirred.
Famed producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson will take a step back and hand creative control over to Amazon MGM, it was revealed on Thursday.
It means that for the first time in the more than 50-year history of 007, a Broccoli won’t be greenlighting a new James Bond film, ending decades of family control over the franchise.
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“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,” Wilson said in a statement.
“Therefore, Barbara and I agree, it is time for our trusted partner, Amazon MGM Studios, to lead James Bond into the future.”
“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,” Broccoli said in a statement.
“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.”
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The historic agreement comes after Amazon MGM Studios, Wilson and Broccoli formed a new joint venture, in which they will co-own James Bond intellectual property rights but Amazon MGM will have creative control.
Financial terms weren’t disclosed. The deal is expected to close sometime this year.
Amazon bought MGM Studios in 2022 for $US6.5 billion ($10.2 billion), a purchase that was significantly motivated by the acquisition of one of the movies’ most beloved and long-running franchises.
Since the Daniel Craig era of 007 concluded with 2021’s No Time to Die, Broccoli and Wilson have reportedly clashed with Amazon MGM over the direction of Bond.
“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,” Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios said in a statement.
“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.”
There’s still no indication about who is set to take on the iconic character after Craig, who played the MI6 spy for 15 years, making him the longest-serving James Bond in cinematic history.
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All the men who have played James Bond through the years
He took the title from Roger Moore, who had a 13-year run in the role.
Craig starred in five James Bond films between 2006 and 2021, including: Casino Royale (2006), Quantum of Solace (2008), Skyfall (2012), Spectre (2015), and No Time to Die (2021).
– Reported with Associated Press.
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