The James Bond franchise is entering a new era with a significant shift in creative control.1 After nearly 60 years, producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson are stepping down from their roles overseeing the cinematic adventures of 007.2 This transition follows Amazon’s acquisition of MGM in 2022, the studio that held a significant stake in the Bond franchise.3 As a result of this acquisition, Amazon MGM Studios will now take the lead in shaping the future of James Bond.4
Amazon will officially gain creative control of the James Bond franchise in a new joint venture deal.
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) February 20, 2025
Michael G. Wilson & Barbara Broccoli will remain co-owners of Bond but are stepping back to focus on other projects. pic.twitter.com/pM8VJv2q7h
While relinquishing creative control, Broccoli and Wilson will retain a financial stake in the franchise through a newly formed joint venture, ensuring their continued involvement, albeit in a different capacity.5 This new arrangement allows for a blend of new vision with the preservation of the franchise’s core elements.
Wilson, 83, announced his intention to retire and focus on his passions for art and charitable work.6 Broccoli, 64, emphasized her deep pride in carrying on the legacy established by her father, Albert “Cubby” Broccoli, who launched the James Bond film series back in 1962. Both producers expressed gratitude for their long collaboration with numerous talented actors, including Daniel Craig, whose tenure as James Bond concluded with the 2021 release of No Time to Die.7
This change marks the end of an era defined by family stewardship, a period that has been instrumental in crafting Bond’s iconic cinematic history. The entertainment world and Bond fandom now eagerly await how Amazon MGM Studios will reimagine and redefine the British secret agent for a new generation of audiences. This transition represents a major turning point for one of Hollywood’s most enduring and lucrative franchises, raising questions about casting choices, narrative directions, and the overall tone of future Bond films.
