It is the end of an era as longtime James Bond 007 producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli are stepping back from their producing roles and giving creative control to Amazon MGM for future installments in the long-running and iconic franchise of the world’s most famous superspy.
The 007 series has been under the control of the Broccoli’s since the very first film in 1962’s Dr. No with Albert R. “Cubby” Broccoli and Harry Saltzman for Eon Productions. Beginning in 1995 with GoldenEye, Broccoli handed control of Eon to his children Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, who shepherded the franchise through both Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig’s tenure as James Bond.
When Amazon bought MGM in 2022, they acquired the distribution rights to all past and future Bond films with Broccoli and Wilson retaining the creative control their family has had for over 60 years. Since Craig’s last film No Time to Die was released in 2021, rumours have flourished over who would be the next James Bond actor as the producing pair figured out where to go next with the franchise as they worked with Amazon, but it seems they are both ready to retire after working on the character for decades.
“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. 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,” Broccoli said.
“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.”
This is quite surprising news and a game changer for the franchise now that creative control has been handed over for the first time in the character’s long history. Time will tell how Amazon MGM will handle the next James Bond film or if they will expand it to TV, spin-offs and other forms of media.
What do you think of this news? Do you think Amazon MGM taking creative control of James Bond will be a good thing or the exit of Broccoli and Wilson marks the end of the James Bond we knew? Let us know on our social channels at @FlickeringMyth…
Ricky Church – Follow me on Bluesky for more movie news and nerd talk.
