Amazon MGM Studios, Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli announced that they have formed a new joint venture to house the James Bond intellectual property rights. The three parties will remain co-owners of the franchise. Under the terms of the new venture, Amazon MGM Studios will gain creative control of the James Bond franchise following closing of the transaction.

“Since his theatrical introduction over 60 years ago, James Bond has been one of the most iconic characters in filmed entertainment,” said Mike Hopkins, Head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios. “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.”

“With my 007 career spanning nearly sixty 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,” said Wilson.

“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.” commented Broccoli.

This morning’s news comes as fans are still awaiting the casting of a new actor to star as James Bond. I’m only surprised at how long they waited to make the news. Wilson, whose step-father was Albert R. Broccoli, first joined Eon Productions in 1972, working in their legal department. He has either produced or executive produced every James Bond film since 1979’s Moonraker. The late Cubby Broccoli handed control of Eon Productions to Barbara Broccoli in 1995. She first started working on the films with The Spy Who Loved Me in 1977, progressing to associate producer on The Living Daylights in 1977.

I imagine both Wilson and Broccoli will receive executive producer credits for future Bond films. But still, it’s going to be really different seeing Amazon MGM Studios having creative control rather than Eon Productions. I suppose we all knew this day was coming but that doesn’t make it any different.

In 2022, Amazon acquired MGM, including a vast catalog with more than 4,000 films and 17,000 TV shows. Since the MGM acquisition, Amazon has held rights to distribute all of the James Bond films, and as a result of this transaction will have creative control over future productions.

A new James Bond film will be released at a later date.

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