EoN sells up - Amazon MGM to produce 007 going forwards

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  • Posts: 406
    patb wrote: »
    I'm confused re what exactly is the issue. Is it the family business selling up (that was always going to happen) or is the issue specifically with Amazon?

    It may be a few years before we know the full story but there probably isn't a single reason. Could be that Broccoli and Wilson believed the best way to protect their legacy was to extract certain concessions in exchange for creative control. That may seem counterintuitive but the Broccoli family keeping a portion of their rights to the franchise is telling.

    This is not quite Lucas selling the whole of Star Wars and Lucas Film to Disney. The Broccoli family may very well have some input going forward. The word "creative" is expansive, especially in film. I think it certainly means that Broccoli and Wilson will shift from producers to executive producers but that doesn't mean their opinions won't be considered, contractually or otherwise.
  • Last_Rat_StandingLast_Rat_Standing Long Neck Ice Cold Beer Never Broke My Heart
    Posts: 4,653
    Burgess wrote: »
    patb wrote: »
    I'm confused re what exactly is the issue. Is it the family business selling up (that was always going to happen) or is the issue specifically with Amazon?

    It may be a few years before we know the full story but there probably isn't a single reason. Could be that Broccoli and Wilson believed the best way to protect their legacy was to extract certain concessions in exchange for creative control. That may seem counterintuitive but the Broccoli family keeping a portion of their rights to the franchise is telling.

    This is not quite Lucas selling the whole of Star Wars and Lucas Film to Disney. The Broccoli family may very well have some input going forward. The word "creative" is expansive, especially in film. I think it certainly means that Broccoli and Wilson will shift from producers to executive producers but that doesn't mean their opinions won't be considered, contractually or otherwise.

    100% agreed. Even if Amazon starts creating spinoffs. Don't pretend as fans that we won't be analyzing and over-analyzing every rumor, casting, screenstill etc and lapping up their produced content like a thirsty dog.
  • NoTimeToLiveNoTimeToLive Jamaica
    Posts: 120
    Unless Amazon make unique and interesting choices, my enthusiasm for Bond’s future has now been completely evaporated. I know some were already feeling down before this news with the stalls, but Bond still having a unique voice in control always kept me at ease. I’d rather wait a whole decade for Bond 26 rather than see it become mined like another Amazon product with no personal flair.

    +1.
  • Posts: 97
    Great piece, with a pic of course of a scene not used iirc.
  • mtmmtm United Kingdom
    Posts: 17,090
    Creasy47 wrote: »
    Bezos is already asking the public who they want as the next Bond. Oof.

    https://deadline.com/2025/02/jeff-bezos-james-bond-amazon-mgm-studios-1236295911/

    Weird guy.
  • chrisesqetcchrisesqetc London
    Posts: 49
    My issue is that Amazon films, from what I've seen, just don't look all that great. They have an air of TV-movie. While you could argue a lot of money was spent on Rings of Power for example, IMO it didn't translate on screen.

    We are used to Bond looking premium. I am not sure this will be the case moving forward. A sad day.
  • Posts: 185
    Wow did not expect this 😳
  • Posts: 631
    Once they killed off Bond, I knew BB and MGW were done with the character creatively. I'm just surprised it took them this long to step back.
  • BondAficionadoBondAficionado Former IMDBer
    Posts: 1,895
    I feel sick. How can they hand over 6 decades of legacy to the very same tech bros that they were lampooning the whole time?! They hate Amazon. It's unfathomable.

    Anything Amazon creates will feel like a cheap copy. Even if it's objectively better. There's no way to separate the art from the artist studio in this case. We used to debate about the death of the 'classic' era of Bond when now this is the only before and after that will ever matter. It's forever changed the discourse on the films.

    And like someone just posted, how can we possibly be enthusiastic for the Bond content that's to come? Does anyone realize the sheer amount of slop we're about to be bombarded with? There will be a dozen streaming shows by the end of the decade. One lackluster movie. Perhaps a theme park attraction. It's over.
  • edited February 20 Posts: 443
    Dwayne wrote: »
    patb wrote: »
    I'm confused re what exactly is the issue. Is it the family business selling up (that was always going to happen) or is the issue specifically with Amazon?

    ... to quote a poster on BlueSky:

    I just hope Amazon puts the focus back on classic James Bond storytelling elements. Like the long history of villains that are grossly wealthy, insecure egomaniacs desperate to validate their fragile egos with wild schemes to control the media, governments, and space itself.

    The issue (IMO) is that Jeff Bezos is viewed negatively by many - especially here in the US. He is - for many - a real-life Bond villain (especially in light of recent events). And while Bond was never going to be sold to the "sisters of the poor", to have him buying it seems a bit ironic.

    As I stated above, ultimately time will tell, but today (the more I think about it), this feels like a punch to the gut.

    If you're a fan of capitalism then Bezos is a genius. What he achieved with Amazon is extraordinary. He changed the way people shop. But being a genius capitalist doesn't mean you know how to make good/great Bond films.

    I couldn't see Eon winning this battle. Amazon are too rich and powerful. Other than a protracted lawsuit to resolve the impasse, Eon was on the losing side. Any long delay in resolving the impasse would mean Broccoli and Wilson getting older and having zero enthusiasm to make Bond 26. They avoided any legal hassle by giving in now.

    They haven't sold their stake so maybe they will have some profit sharing or residuals deal with Amazon? And it's possible 'Albert R Broccoli's Eon Productions' will get listed on the credits and posters. Who knows.
  • Last_Rat_StandingLast_Rat_Standing Long Neck Ice Cold Beer Never Broke My Heart
    Posts: 4,653
    I feel sick. How can they hand over 6 decades of legacy to the very same tech bros that they were lampooning the whole time?! They hate Amazon. It's unfathomable.

    Anything Amazon creates will feel like a cheap copy. Even if it's objectively better. There's no way to separate the art from the artist studio in this case. We used to debate about the death of the 'classic' era of Bond when now this is the only before and after that will ever matter. It's forever changed the discourse on the films.

    And like someone just posted, how can we possibly be enthusiastic for the Bond content that's to come? Does anyone realize the sheer amount of slop we're about to be bombarded with? There will be a dozen streaming shows by the end of the decade. One lackluster movie. Perhaps a theme park attraction. It's over.

    And like I said, we're gonna lapp that shit up. Engagement farming will be off the hook. Good, bad or otherwise
  • Posts: 7,796
    Oh dear. Shocked, but for some reason I half expected it! With Barbara's clash with the idiots, I don't think they were going anywhere! Worrying times indeed!
  • Posts: 2,034
    I wonder if Amazon will let the long-term crew who are still alive to work on the Bond films like they’ve been doing for the last 30 years?
  • Posts: 4,644
    logic would dictate bringing in expereinced teams to preserve the Bond feel, I hope Arnold's phone is on :)
  • 4EverBonded4EverBonded the Ballrooms of Mars
    Posts: 12,501
    007bondUK wrote: »
    So, when they stupidly killed Bond off in NTTD they really did kill him off.

    Can't wait to see Amazon milk the crap out of this...

    Young Bond
    M - The Active Days
    Q's Uni Days
    MoneyPenny - The way up
    Female Bond
    Black Bond
    Trans Bond
    Gay Bond
    Bond
    Bond delivering Amazon parcels
    Woke Bond
    Far Right Bond
    Left Wing Bond
    James Blonde

    Maybe the first one. But people honestly think that the rest will happen. Effing r3tarded

    I'd appreciate you not using that last word, no matter how you type it.
  • 4EverBonded4EverBonded the Ballrooms of Mars
    Posts: 12,501
    No, we do not know if the family will have any input at all in the creative input for Bond. If we get any reassurances about that, I welcome them.
  • Creasy47 wrote: »
    Bezos is already asking the public who they want as the next Bond. Oof.

    https://deadline.com/2025/02/jeff-bezos-james-bond-amazon-mgm-studios-1236295911/

    I've already reached out.
  • Posts: 2,034
    I wish people wouldn’t be so down on this decision. Yes I understand the hesitation. But I say let’s give Amazon a chance. Let’s see the movie they produce. Let’s see their casting choices, their director choices, etc..
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 41,091
    fjdinardo wrote: »
    I wish people wouldn’t be so down on this decision. Yes I understand the hesitation. But I say let’s give Amazon a chance. Let’s see the movie they produce. Let’s see their casting choices, their director choices, etc..

    I wish they wouldn't have given over creative control to Amazon, but alas. There is literally no reason for me to be even slightly optimistic about this. If they want to prove me wrong in the future, I'm all for it, but as it stands now, I feel nothing but pessimism regarding this decision.
  • MakeshiftPythonMakeshiftPython “Baja?!”
    Posts: 8,299
    I feel sick. How can they hand over 6 decades of legacy to the very same tech bros that they were lampooning the whole time?! They hate Amazon. It's unfathomable.

    This was always going to be the end result. You can’t fight a company that’s worth trillions. No way they were ever going to get what they wanted when Bezos and his army were on the other side of the table.
  • TripAcesTripAces Universal Exports
    edited February 20 Posts: 4,612
    mtm wrote: »
    What also makes me sad is that Bond has just become entirely American-controlled.

    I concur. (And I am an American.) But...wasn't it already? From Harry and Cubby to Babs and Michael. I guess the lone connection was Pinewood. Maybe (just maybe) Amazon will continue that partnership?
  • edited February 20 Posts: 2,495
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  • mtmmtm United Kingdom
    Posts: 17,090
    bondywondy wrote: »
    They haven't sold their stake so maybe they will have some profit sharing or residuals deal with Amazon? And it's possible 'Albert R Broccoli's Eon Productions' will get listed on the credits and posters. Who knows.

    I doubt it: Eon won't be making the film, so it would be untrue (presumably Eon will still exist, and it hasn't been bought by MGM).
    They'll definitely be earning money from it as they will remain co-owners of James Bond 007, that's what the 'venture' is for. I mean, if you owned half of that you'd be mad to give it up! :)
  • edited February 20 Posts: 443
    Burgess wrote: »
    patb wrote: »
    I'm confused re what exactly is the issue. Is it the family business selling up (that was always going to happen) or is the issue specifically with Amazon?

    It may be a few years before we know the full story but there probably isn't a single reason. Could be that Broccoli and Wilson believed the best way to protect their legacy was to extract certain concessions in exchange for creative control. That may seem counterintuitive but the Broccoli family keeping a portion of their rights to the franchise is telling.

    This is not quite Lucas selling the whole of Star Wars and Lucas Film to Disney. The Broccoli family may very well have some input going forward. The word "creative" is expansive, especially in film. I think it certainly means that Broccoli and Wilson will shift from producers to executive producers but that doesn't mean their opinions won't be considered, contractually or otherwise.

    I didn't get any sense from the press release Eon will have any producer credit.
    Amazon MGM Studios will gain creative control of the James Bond franchise following closing of the transaction.

    Creative control is Amazon in charge. I assume so.

    I doubt Amazon would agree some wishy washy deal where they gain creative control but Eon can veto their decisions. That would lead to delays and arguing over what to make.

    It seems that Eon would only cede control in exchange for retaining their 50 percent stake in perpetuity. That means if Eon did file a lawsuit against Amazon the court would recognize Eon's right to do so because they retain 50 percent stake in Bond. But they would probably lose any lawsuit because Amazon have creative control.

    It's like being a silent partner.
    A silent partner is an investor in a business who doesn't take part in day-to-day operations. They are also known as limited partners or sleeping partners.
    Role:
    Provide capital to a business
    Receive a share of the business's profits and losses
    Trust the general partner to run the business

    Eon have no control over the content of any future Bond film but they remain a silent partner. They get some profit sharing deal and maybe Albert R. Broccoli's Eon Productions and the gun barrel must be included in all Amazon MGM produced Bond films.

    Something like that is possible. I doubt Eon will have any producer role in any more films. I'm basing that on the press statement. I could be wrong. The statement implies full creative control.
    “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,” commented Broccoli."

    That doesn't sound like Broccoli will be involved in any more Bond films.


  • StrelikStrelik Spectre Island
    Posts: 109
    Given the earlier news articles reporting how Amazon/MGM had a view of the character that was sharply at odds with Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli and that Barbara called them a bunch of idiots, this is not good news.
  • talos7talos7 New Orleans
    Posts: 8,364
    Strelik wrote: »
    Given the earlier news articles reporting how Amazon/MGM had a view of the character that was sharply at odds with Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli and that Barbara called them a bunch of idiots, this is not good news.

    Who's to say that any of those reports were accurate?
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 41,091
    Yeah, the details of their arguments/debates spilling out publicly should've been a good sign of where things were headed.
  • slide_99slide_99 USA
    edited February 20 Posts: 749
    My fear is that an Amazon-helmed Bond would look something like The Grey Man, Red Notice, Argyll, or basically any spy/action slop that the streaming services make: competent actors in undemanding roles, locations mainly being darkly-lit warehouses and generic offices, lots of scenes where characters walk around talking into cell phones using words like "be advised" and "asset," villains being armies of faceless mercenaries in black combat suits, and of course the washed-out desaturated look and shallow focus that all digital movies have. Round it off with Cavill as Bond and Matthew Vaughn or the Russo Brothers in the director's chair and you'd have the ultimate "Bond-as-content" product for the consumers.

  • BondAficionadoBondAficionado Former IMDBer
    Posts: 1,895
    I feel sick. How can they hand over 6 decades of legacy to the very same tech bros that they were lampooning the whole time?! They hate Amazon. It's unfathomable.

    Anything Amazon creates will feel like a cheap copy. Even if it's objectively better. There's no way to separate the art from the artist studio in this case. We used to debate about the death of the 'classic' era of Bond when now this is the only before and after that will ever matter. It's forever changed the discourse on the films.

    And like someone just posted, how can we possibly be enthusiastic for the Bond content that's to come? Does anyone realize the sheer amount of slop we're about to be bombarded with? There will be a dozen streaming shows by the end of the decade. One lackluster movie. Perhaps a theme park attraction. It's over.

    And like I said, we're gonna lapp that shit up. Engagement farming will be off the hook. Good, bad or otherwise

    To be honest I'm not sure about that. Other than morbid curiosity I think fans will be less enthusiastic overall and casuals wouldn't care for Bond content either way.
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