One of Hollywood’s most valuable characters just got a new boss. And it isn’t M.
What happened: Amazon MGM Studios gained total creative control over the James Bond films after the Broccoli family, the franchise’s longtime shepherd, handed over the reins in a new joint venture. It comes after a years-long stalemate over what to do with the superspy.
Catch-up: The Broccolis have held an iron grip on the franchise since Albert “Cubby” Broccoli produced the first James Bond film, Dr. No, in 1962. A year before he died in 1996, he passed on his 50% ownership to his daughter Barbara and his stepson Michael G. Wilson.
- MGM acquired the other 50% in the mid-70s from Canadian co-prouder Harry Saltzman. The rights went to Amazon after it bought MGM in 2021.
- Despite the 50/50 split, Broccoli and Wilson (in)famously had the final say about all of the franchise’s creative decisions, with Broccoli meticulously overseeing filming.
Why it matters: The Broccolis’ Bond ownership was a remnant of a film industry that no longer exists when individuals exerted tight control over lucrative IP. The direction of the franchise (as goes the direction of almost every franchise) now lies with a giant multinational.
- Per recent Wall Street Journal reporting, Amazon execs put forward ideas like a TV show or a spin-off focused on M’s secretary Miss Moneypenny; Broccoli rebuffed them.
- Besides new content, flashy directors — who the Broccolis refused to use — might get involved. Maybe Steven Spielberg will finally get a shot to make his Bond movie.
Yes, but: Among fans, there’s fear Bond might go the way of Star Wars after George Lucas sold it to Disney, where the brand becomes devalued after countless spin-offs.—QH