James Bond films stall after Barbara Broccoli clashes with Amazon Studios, report claims
The producer reportedly told friends that Amazon are "fucking idiots" who are taking the franchise "hostage"
by Daniel Peters · NMEFuture films in the James Bond series have been reportedly stalled due to disagreements between Amazon Studios and franchise producer Barbara Broccoli.
The Wall Street Journal published a report on Friday (December 19) detailing the apparent rift between Broccoli and the media giant.
In 2021, Amazon acquired Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, the studio behind all Bond film releases since 1981. This has resulted in the studio operating as a subsidiary, Amazon MGM Studios, ever since.
Daniel Craig wrapped up his stint as 007 after five films with 2021’s No Time To Die, and Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, who oversee the Bond estate, have not confirmed who will be taking on the role next – however, they did reveal last month that the films will “change” in a “new direction” when the next lead actor is announced.
In the Wall Street Journal report, it is claimed that Amazon currently has a “decayed relationship” with Broccoli that has put possible new Bond films in jeopardy.
Broccoli, 64, and her half-brother Wilson, 82, are the children of Albert R. “Cubby” Broccoli, who along with Harry Saltzman oversaw the Bond films from their beginnings with 1962’s Dr. No. Despite the films raising a collective $7.6billion (£6billion) at the global box office, the key decisions about the future of Bond on screen rest with the family.
The report outlined that the fallout is due to differences over the creative direction of the franchise, with Amazon reportedly in favour of “Marvel-style” ideas to expand the franchise, such as spinoff shows and films.
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Broccoli is reported to have baulked at the pitch, telling friends that Amazon are “fucking idiots” who are taking the franchise “hostage”. She has reportedly expressed her disinterest in continuing to work with Amazon for any Bond films. NME has reached out to Amazon MGM Studios for comment.
Last week (December 11), it was reported that Craig claimed his time as Bond was “emotionally difficult” for his family due to his sudden rise in fame following 2006’s Casino Royale.
Reflecting on weighing up the decision to accept the role, which came at around the time he starred in Steven Spielberg’s Munich (2005), he added: “I was working and had a little bit of fame and it bought me, you know, a drink at the bar. But I could still go anywhere.”
He did go on to say, however, that his hesitation about celebrity “couldn’t be the reason not to” take the part.
Former Bond actress Gemma Arterton also recently came out to say that “people would find it too outrageous” for a woman to play 007. So far, no actor has been cast to succeed Craig in the iconic spy role.
Tom Hardy has long been considered among the favourites, with the actor responding to the rumours as far back as 2017. Last year, he was named as the public’s second choice for the role, behind Idris Elba.
It was, however, reported in March that EON Production had offered Aaron Taylor-Johnson the job after he impressed Broccoli in a screen test. The actor was asked about the rumours in April, but swerved the question, as he had done multiple times previously. Former Bond actor Pierce Brosnan also weighed in on the potential casting, showing his support for Taylor-Johnson.
One of the other actors considered among the frontrunners, Henry Cavill, said earlier this year that he may be “too old now” to take on the role, while Saoirse Ronan recently pitched for her partner Jack Lowden to get the nod.