Amazon’s Big Bet on James Bond Could Be a Recipe for Disaster

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Summary

  • Amazon now controls the James Bond franchise, signaling a new era beyond Daniel Craig’s tenure.
  • Concerns arise about potential spin-offs and a shared universe watering down the iconic Bond name.
  • Fans worry about creative control shifting to Amazon and the impact on the stability and legacy of the franchise.

It’s not too surprising to followers of the James Bond series that 007 will continue his adventures, as “Die Another Day” is just what he does. Although Daniel Craig’s tenure as the cultural phenomenon ended with “No Time To Die”, it seems the plot for the 26th James Bond film was likely being developed well before Craig retired his Walter PPK. Now, fans are preparing for a new chapter in the tale of the martini-loving spy.

For over six decades, Eon Productions has maintained a firm grip on the James Bond rights (with exceptions being Casino Royale and Thunderball), starting with Dr. No’s release in 1962. Albert “Cubby” Broccoli was at the helm of the franchise during the Connery era, continuing through to Timothy Dalton. In 1995, his daughter and stepson took over the reins. Regrettably, as speculations about Bond 26 persist, it appears that Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson may be passing the torch to a new leader.

Amazon Welcomes A New Era For James Bond

In an unexpected move, Amazon MGM has stunned many by taking creative control of the James Bond franchise, opening up possibilities for its vast universe. The intellectual property found itself in a standstill following the release of No Time To Die, which marked Daniel Craig’s final performance as 007. An article published by the Wall Street Journal in December 2024 hinted at tension between Barbara Broccoli and Amazon Studios head, Jennifer Salke, when she described James Bond as “content.

As a film enthusiast, I’ve noticed that Amazon isn’t merely confined to conventional movie releases, as demonstrated by their handling of franchises like The Lord of the Rings and Rings of Power. Similarly, in the realm of The Boys, we see spin-offs such as Gen V and The Boys Presents: Diabolical, which underscore Amazon’s commitment to maximizing the potential of its intellectual properties. There are even whispers about Amazon’s Tomb Raider series being part of a connected universe, aiming to simplify the intricate timelines that these stories often encompass.

The final scene of “No Time To Die” hinted at James Bond’s return, yet given the films have earned approximately $7.8 billion globally, this wasn’t particularly unexpected. According to a Wall Street Journal article, Barbara Broccoli expressed skepticism towards spin-offs for Bond, allegedly saying, “Have you read the contract?” Although the Amazon MGM deal includes Broccoli and Wilson, the newfound creative control by the studio implies significant future developments are on the horizon. Deadline reports that Amazon MGM needs to invest an additional $1 billion to secure creative control over the James Bond franchise.

As a seasoned movie reviewer, I’ve heard my fair share of whispers about a potential shared James Bond universe over the years, and discussions about spin-offs aren’t exactly novel. However, the recent Amazon MGM deal has sparked concerns among die-hard Bond fans that the iconic name might be diluted by numerous projects spinning off into origin stories or focusing on other characters without giving due attention to 007 himself. Even I, as a fan, can’t help but share these apprehensions about the future of the venerable 007 moniker. In an interview with The Telegraph, the esteemed former Bond, Timothy Dalton, described this development as ‘sad.’

I don’t know what Amazon might do with it or what their connection to the Broccolis will be, but this series of movies is simply brilliant. I used to watch it when I was younger, and many others did too. It’s played a significant role in our lives, so any change that could potentially affect it feels somewhat sad.

Dalton emphasized that having skilled individuals involved has ensured the consistent success of the James Bond series throughout its lifetime. Although opinions may vary on which films are superior, it’s simply a matter of personal preference.

The Failed Attempts at a James Bond Universe

Despite Amazon MGM not revealing their plans for James Bond yet, there have been previous discussions about a shared universe for Bond films. Although talks have mostly ceased due to Broccoli and company, this could soon be up for reconsideration. In 2021, Shawn Robbins, an analyst at Boxoffice Pro, hinted to Metro.co.uk that the landscape might be shifting, and explained his thoughts on the matter.

The James Bond series continues to be overseen by the Broccoli family, who have stated their intention to keep it as a cinema-focused venture in the future. Changing this approach could significantly devalue the Bond character. Amazon might, on the other hand, broaden the franchise into various streaming avenues that align with the broader film narrative.

It appears that Jeff Bezos, the head of Amazon, has shown a strong affinity towards ‘content.’ Not long after the recent deal was unveiled, he expressed his curiosity on social media about who people believe should be the next James Bond character. While this might seem like casual entertainment, involving fans in shaping the franchise or yielding to ‘trends’ contradicts how the Broccoli family had traditionally managed the intellectual property for years.

There have been various Bond films that deviated from those featuring Sean Connery, Roger Moore, George Lazenby (often overlooked), Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig. One notable instance is David Niven’s portrayal of Bond in the 1967 film “Casino Royale.” Sean Connery also appeared as Bond in the controversial film “Never Say Never Again,” which competed with Roger Moore’s “Octopussy,” but unfortunately, it was not as successful.

In addition to whispers suggesting Michelle Yeoh’s character Wai Lin from “Tomorrow Never Dies” could headline her own standalone movie, Eon Productions came quite close to launching Halle Berry’s Jinx into her own solo film as well. Back in 2002, Jinx was intended to be the star of a ‘Winter Olympics’ for a potential fifth Bond movie featuring Pierce Brosnan. Halle Berry was set to reprise her remarkable role alongside Michael Madsen’s Falco, while pre-“Skyfall” Javier Bardem was slated to play her love interest. However, these plans were scrapped when MGM opted for Martin Campbell’s “Casino Royale” as a complete reboot instead.

In addition to the numerous James Bond movies that seem to overlook Bond’s Scottish housekeeper May, there are also other literary works worth exploring. One such example is the trilogy known as “The Moneypenny Diaries.” Although Ian Fleming’s last Bond book was “The Man with the Golden Gun” in 1965, others have continued his legacy through series like Charlie Higson’s “Young Bond” books and Kim Sherwood’s “Double O” series. In autumn 2025, a new series titled “The Q Mysteries” is set to debut, focusing on the character of Bond’s loyal quartermaster, Q.

Since as early as the 1950s, Ian Fleming had penned a script for a TV show titled “Murder on Wheels.” This plot involved James Bond disguising himself to thwart SMERSH agents who were attempting to sabotage a race at the Nürburgring. Regrettably, this storyline never saw the light of day on television screens. However, the concept was later revived in Anthony Horowitz’s 2015 novel, “Trigger Mortis.

Previously, Amazon has produced a spin-off show apart from Broccoli and Wilson’s work, with Brian Cox hosting “007: Road to a Million” as an unusual take on Bond-related content. Some fans have enthusiastically viewed this reality TV series as a possible tryout for Cox to demonstrate his fit for the role of M in a potential future reboot. Meanwhile, others have advocated for Ralph Fiennes to portray the character, proposing a fresh continuity similar to Judi Dench’s performance during the transition from Brosnan to Craig’s eras.

With “Road to a Million” demonstrating the possibilities when one thinks creatively, it seems like an approach to gently introduce fans to the notion that not every Bond film needs to star a leading man who is a heartthrob. Meanwhile, the success of “Invincible” suggests a revival of “James Bond Jr.” could reintroduce the 1991 cartoon series to audiences, much like how X-Men ‘97 was revived. These developments are bound to stir up the protective Bond fandom, but they would at least provide some entertainment until another mainline movie hits theaters.

Regardless of where the franchise is headed in the future, the essence of James Bond will remain consistent. The character will continue to play a central role, though the specifics about who will take on this iconic role may change due to a shift in control. A possibility could be revisiting the concept from Skyfall, where ‘James Bond’ is more of a title than a personal identity, passed down to a new agent. With 2025 marking the longest gap between James Bond films, it might be several years before we see this timeless character once again facing that ominous gun barrel on screen.

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2025-03-01 03:07