It was a surprising news that Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson announced on Thursday at the official James Bond website: The long-time producers of the Bond films have given creative control over the series around the famous secret agent-to that Company Amazon MGM Studios, which has been a 50 percent partner since 2022.
Away from the canvas?
The step came unexpectedly insofar as there were previously tensions between the producer duo and Amazon. Since the film “Golden Eye” (1995), the half siblings Broccoli and Wilson have held the creative supervision of 007. At that time they took over the production from her father Albert R. “Cubby” Broccoli, who launched the film series in 1962 together with Harry Saltzman. For more than 60 years she had been family -owned. Broccoli and Wilson had previously guarded their heir to Jeff Bezos’ plans – such as James Bond in the form of films for their own streaming service or as a series. Broccoli had emphasized several times that something like this could not be done with her and 007 should remain a cinema experience. According to a report by the “Wall Street Journal”, she is said to have even described Amazon managers as “idiots”.
Now the relationship sounds more harmonious: “Barbara and I agree: It is time for our trustworthy partner, Amazon MGM Studios, James Bond leads into the future,” said Wilson (83). How much Amazon had paid for the rights was not announced. He now wants to focus more on art and charitable projects, said Wilson. However, the duo remains co-owner of the Bond series.
The step is controversial among fans. Proponents hope that Bond films will now be more common. They have been waiting for a new deployment for the British secret service MI6 for four years. Critics fear that Amazon could ruthlessly exploit the brand.
Waiting for the new 007
Since the first movie “James Bond-007, Dr. No” (1962), numerous films based on the novel figure of Ian Fleming have been produced, including those who are not classified in the official Bond universe due to legal disputes. Sean Connery played the agent in the first five adventures.
“}”>
Image: RTL II
Source: Nachrichten
