New joint venture with franchise owners aims to revitalize iconic series.
Amazon has taken creative control of the James Bond franchise through the formation of a new joint venture with franchise owners Michael Wilson and Barbara Broccoli.
A recent agreement announced on Thursday is seen as a significant development that could pave the way for the next Bond film.
Reports indicate that tensions between Broccoli and Amazon emerged last December, which raised concerns about the future of the franchise.
However, the current agreement confirms that ownership will remain joint, with the newly established company managing the rights to the franchise.
Barbara Broccoli expressed that it is time for her to focus on other projects.
In a statement, Michael Wilson indicated his intention to step back from producing Bond films to engage in charitable efforts.
Wilson and Broccoli, who have co-directed the franchise since 1995, are siblings.
The latest agreement allows Amazon to play a larger role in the series, potentially leading to new projects, including animated adaptations or spin-offs set within the 007 universe.
Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon Studios, stated that they are eager to present the next phase of the legendary 007 series to a global audience.
Fans are speculating about who will portray the iconic character following Daniel Craig's departure.
Last year, rumors suggested that Aaron Taylor-
Johnson might be the next actor to take on the role, although this has yet to be officially confirmed or commented on.
Former Bond actor Pierce Brosnan responded positively when asked about Taylor-
Johnson's potential casting, stating that he possesses the talent and charisma to embody the character.
Additionally, a Dubai-based Austrian real estate developer, Josef Kleindienst, has been contesting James Bond trademarks.
Kleindienst claims that the trademarks are not being utilized correctly by their current owner and has filed multiple lawsuits regarding Bond-related trademarks.
If he succeeds, he would be able to use the trademarks in the EU, the UK, and Dubai.
The most recent Bond film, 'No Time to Die,' was released in 2021 and grossed nearly $800 million worldwide.
In 2021, Amazon completed its acquisition of MGM Studios for $8.45 billion, significantly expanding its footprint in the entertainment industry.