The future of James Bond reportedly hangs in the balance amid an escalating feud between franchise producer Barbara Broccoli and Amazon, with no new film in sight three years after Daniel Craig’s final outing.
According to a bombshell Wall Street Journal report, Broccoli has privately dismissed Amazon executives as “f***ing idiots” whilst expressing deep mistrust of the streaming giant’s approach to the iconic spy series.
The relationship between the two parties has reportedly deteriorated to such an extent that Bond 26 currently has no script, no story and no lead actor.
The standoff emerged following Amazon’s £6.4 billion acquisition of MGM Studios in 2022, which gave them partial control of the franchise whilst Broccoli’s Eon Productions retained creative authority.
Broccoli has allegedly told friends she doesn’t trust “algorithm-centric” Amazon with the character she helped mythologise through traditional filmmaking and gut instinct.
Broccoli, 64, inherited control of the Bond franchise from her father Albert “Cubby” Broccoli three decades ago, working alongside her stepbrother Michael G Wilson, 82.
Daniel Craig left the role of James Bond behind in 2019 following No Time to Die METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER STUDIOS, COLUMBIA PICTURES, DANJAQ, LLCThe pair oversee all key decisions related to future Bond projects through London-based Eon Productions, including casting, scripts and plot development.
Amazon’s entry into the Bond universe came in March 2022 when it purchased Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studio for $8.5 billion.
Despite committing to theatrical releases rather than streaming as part of the acquisition deal, Amazon’s corporate culture has reportedly clashed with Broccoli’s traditional filmmaking approach.
The producer was particularly irked when Amazon executive Jennifer Salke referred to the James Bond series as “content” during a 2022 meeting, with a friend of Broccoli describing the term as a “death knell” for what she considers a sacred family heirloom.
Producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson still have a major say over Bond’s direction
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Amazon executives proposed several expansions to the franchise, including a TV series and a spinoff featuring Miss Moneypenny, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The streaming giant also suggested developing a female 007 series, which Broccoli firmly rejected.
While Broccoli has indicated she would not oppose casting a nonwhite or gay actor as Bond, she remains adamant the character must be a British man.
Internal discussions at Amazon have questioned Bond’s place in modern society, with one employee reportedly stating during a strategy meeting: “I have to be honest. I don’t think James Bond is a hero.”
The clash extends to casting philosophy, with Amazon preferring established stars based on data analysis, while Broccoli favours following instinct, as she did when casting the then-relatively unknown Daniel Craig.
Only one Bond-related project has emerged under Amazon’s ownership – the reality show 007: Road to a Million.
Broccoli has reportedly advised against letting “temporary people make permanent decisions,” suggesting she may delay Bond 26 indefinitely.
Mike Hopkins, who heads Prime Video, has reportedly told associates he remains confident he can win Broccoli’s trust.
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Industry insiders suggest the next Bond film could arrive as late as 2027 or 2028, potentially creating one of the longest gaps between instalments in the franchise’s history.
Speaking at the Governors Awards in November, where she received the Irving G Thalberg Memorial Award, Broccoli made no mention of Amazon in her acceptance speech.
Instead, she urged fellow producers to “keep going” during challenging times, noting that “people are playing it very safe” in the current climate.
The standoff has cast doubt over rumoured frontrunners for the role, including Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Henry Cavill.