Amazon MGM Gains Creative Control of James Bond Franchise
Yara Sameh
Amazon MGM Studios is set to take creative control of the James Bond franchise.
The shock announcement — which is sure to shake and, indeed, stir the industry — was made Thursday, alongside the news that long-time producers and custodians of 007, Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, would be stepping back.
As per details of the historic agreement, Amazon MGM Studios, Wilson and Broccoli have formed a new joint venture to house the James Bond intellectual property rights.
The three parties will remain co-owners of the iconic franchise but Amazon MGM will have creative control.
'Since his theatrical introduction over 60 years ago, James Bond has been one of the most iconic characters in filmed entertainment,' said Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios.
'We are grateful to the late Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman for bringing James Bond to movie theatres around the world, and to Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli for their unyielding dedication and their role in continuing the legacy of the franchise that is cherished by legions of fans worldwide. We are honoured to continue this treasured heritage, and look forward to ushering in the next phase of the legendary 007 for audiences around the world.'
Added Wilson: 'With my 007 career spanning nearly 60 incredible years, I am stepping back from producing the James Bond films to focus on art and charitable projects. Therefore, Barbara and I agree, it is time for our trusted partner, Amazon MGM Studios, to lead James Bond into the future.'
Broccoli commented, '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 honor 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.'
In 2022, Amazon bought MGM for $8.5 billion, acquiring a vast catalog with more than 4,000 films and 17,000 TV shows alongside the rights to distribute all of the James Bond films.
'No Time to Die' — the 25th James Bond film and Daniel Craig's fifth and final turn as 007 — was released in 2021 and earned $775 million. Since then, despite endless speculation in the press, there have been no announcements regarding the timeline for production of the next film or Craig's replacement.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
See - Sada Elbalad
3 days ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
Brad Pitt, Channing Tatum Team On Isle Of Man Movie, Docuseries
Yara Sameh Following one of the more unique auctions the industry has seen in some time, Amazon MGM Studios has landed a film and docuseries package on the legendary Isle of Man Tourist Trophy Race with movie stars Brad Pitt and Channing Tatum involved. Tatum is attached to star in the film about the motorcycle races, which will be directed by Dog director Reid Carolin, who also wrote the script with Jason Keller and Bryan Johnson. It will be produced by Tatum and Carolin's Free Association, Pitt's Plan B and Entertainment 360's Guymon Casady and Jason Keller. The docuseries was filmed during last year's TT races with never-before-seen access to the riders and the races due to an exclusive partnership between the producers and the event promoters. It was produced by the same group, along with pre-eminent sports documentary producer Box to Box Films and Mediawan — the leading independent European studio and majority stakeholder of Plan B — with the participation of Entourage Ventures. Plot details remain under wraps, but the scope and history of the legendary race have all the notes of an epic feature film. Long before Formula 1, World Endurance and MotoGP, there was the Isle of Man TT. As the world's oldest continuously running motorsport event, it remains a one-of-a-kind spectacle. With riders pushing man and machine to the edge at nearly 200 mph, the TT represents the pinnacle of sporting endeavor and the relentless pursuit of glory. The never-before-seen docuseries is a 4×45-minute cinematic, character-driven series where riders chase their dreams and embrace life to its fullest. Through intimate moments, the series explore what drives these extreme riders to take such risks. The series looks into the consequences of this commitment, not only for them but for those around them. It is not just a thrilling adventure experienced through these extraordinary individuals but a deep dive into what sometimes drives us as human beings. For most of its century-long history, the Isle of Man TT was an event experienced only by dedicated motorbike enthusiasts who made the pilgrimage to the island or tuned in via radio. However, the 2022 launch of livestreaming through the TT's OTT platform, TT+, marked a new era, offering full coverage of every qualifying session and race. Combined with an enhanced social media strategy, this shift has spurred greater public interest, with online searches for the event doubling over the past two years. The film and docuseries represent key pillars in the development of a major franchise set to expand across a 360-degree strategy, building on the success of major IPs developed by the talented creators of the Mediawan group and embraced by audiences worldwide such as Call My Agent, The Count of Monte Cristo or Miraculous. Tatum and Carolin have had strong ties going back to when the two launched the Magic Mike franchise that Tatum starred in, Carolin penned and both produced. The film would mark the second film Carolin has directed following the hit MGM feature Dog, which Tatum also starred in and produced. As for Pitt and Plan B, they seem to have a strong feel for racing films these days as the upcoming Warner Bros. and Apple pic F1 bows this month. Pitt stars in the pic, which already is earning strong buzz. read more New Tourism Route To Launch in Old Cairo Ahmed El Sakka-Led Play 'Sayidati Al Jamila' to Be Staged in KSA on Dec. 6 Mandy Moore Joins Season 2 of "Dr. Death" Anthology Series Don't Miss These Movies at 44th Cairo Int'l Film Festival Today Amr Diab to Headline KSA's MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2022 Festival Arts & Culture Mai Omar Stuns in Latest Instagram Photos Arts & Culture "The Flash" to End with Season 9 Arts & Culture Ministry of Culture Organizes four day Children's Film Festival Arts & Culture Canadian PM wishes Muslims Eid-al-Adha News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan
See - Sada Elbalad
4 days ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
Nicole Kidman to Star in TV Series "Girls and Their Horses"
Yara Sameh Nicole Kidman is set to star in and executive produce a series adaptation of the Eliza Jane Brazier novel 'Girls and Their Horses'. The project is currently in development and will be co-produced by Legendary Television and Amazon MGM Studios for Prime Video. Brazier will write the pilot and executive produce. Jenna Lamia will serve as showrunner and executive producer. Kidman will executive produce along with Per Saari under their Blossom Films banner. 'Girls and Their Horses' marks a reunion for Kidman and Lamia. Lamia previously developed and showran the hit Netflix series 'The Perfect Couple,' based on the novel by Elin Hilderbrand, in which Kidman starred and executive produced. The official logline for 'Girls and Their Horses' reads, 'A murder-mystery set in the beachside equestrian community of Rancho Santa Fe, California, 'Girls and Their Horses' follows the newly wealthy Parker family as they aim to position their teenage daughters in the rarified, sometimes-deadly world of competitive horse riding.' Should it move forward, this would mark the latest series role for Kidman, who has quickly become the hardest working actress in television. In addition to 'The Perfect Couple,' she has starred in the shows 'Big Little Lies,' 'Top of the Lake: China Girl,' 'The Undoing,' 'Nine Perfect Strangers,' 'Lioness,' and 'Expats' since 2017. The second season of 'Nine Perfect Strangers' recently debuted, while Kidman is also attached to star in the shows 'Scarpetta' at Prime Video and 'Margo's Got Money Troubles' at Apple TV+. She also has a stellar film career, for which she has received five Oscar nominations with one win. Her recent film credits include 'The Northman,' 'Babygirl,' 'A Family Affair,' and 'Being the Ricardos.' In addition to 'Girls and Their Horses,' Brazier is also the author of the books 'If I Disappear' and 'Good Rich People,' both of which she is currently adapting for TV. The former is set up at 20th Television, while the latter is at MRC. She is also working on a feature screenplay based on her novel 'It Had to Be You' at Sony. This is the latest collaboration between Legendary TV and Amazon MGM Studios in recent weeks. It was reported back in April that Legendary's 'Pacific Rim' TV series is now set up at Amazon, while the two studios, along with Pacesetter Productions, have struck a deal to develop a series based G. T. Karber's murder mystery puzzles 'Murdle.' read more New Tourism Route To Launch in Old Cairo Ahmed El Sakka-Led Play 'Sayidati Al Jamila' to Be Staged in KSA on Dec. 6 Mandy Moore Joins Season 2 of "Dr. Death" Anthology Series Don't Miss These Movies at 44th Cairo Int'l Film Festival Today Amr Diab to Headline KSA's MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2022 Festival Arts & Culture Mai Omar Stuns in Latest Instagram Photos Arts & Culture "The Flash" to End with Season 9 Arts & Culture Ministry of Culture Organizes four day Children's Film Festival Arts & Culture Canadian PM wishes Muslims Eid-al-Adha News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream
See - Sada Elbalad
6 days ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
"The Accountant 2" Sets Streaming Date
Yara Sameh Amazon MGM Studios announced on Monday that "The Accountant 2", starring Ben Affleck and Jon Bernthal, will stream globally on Prime Video on Thursday, June 5. This comes following an April theatrical release that saw the action thriller sequel gross over $100 million worldwide. Prior to that, it premiered to critical acclaim at SXSW, winning the festival's Headliner Audience Award. In the film directed by Gavin O'Connor, which follows up 2016's "The Accountant", Affleck reprises his role as Christian Wolff, who has a talent for solving complex problems. When an old acquaintance is murdered, leaving behind a cryptic message to 'find the accountant,' Wolff is compelled to solve the case. Realizing more extreme measures are necessary, Wolff recruits his estranged and highly lethal brother, Brax (Bernthal), to help. In partnership with U.S. Treasury Deputy Director Marybeth Medina (Cynthia Addai-Robinson), they uncover a deadly conspiracy, becoming targets of a ruthless network of killers who will stop at nothing to keep their secrets buried. Daniella Pineda, Allison Robertson, and J.K. Simmons also star in the film, penned by Bill Dubuque, with Affleck, Lynette Howell Taylor, and Mark Williams producing. Grossing $155M worldwide in its 2016 theatrical release before going on to become the most-rented digital film of the subsequent year, the first Accountant introduced Affleck as a highly skilled CPA with autism who leads a double life as a forensic accountant for criminal organizations. Affleck and Matt Damon's Artists Equity served as the studio for the sequel and set the pic up at Amazon MGM after acquiring sequel rights from Warner Bros. read more New Tourism Route To Launch in Old Cairo Ahmed El Sakka-Led Play 'Sayidati Al Jamila' to Be Staged in KSA on Dec. 6 Mandy Moore Joins Season 2 of "Dr. Death" Anthology Series Don't Miss These Movies at 44th Cairo Int'l Film Festival Today Amr Diab to Headline KSA's MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2022 Festival Arts & Culture Mai Omar Stuns in Latest Instagram Photos Arts & Culture "The Flash" to End with Season 9 Arts & Culture Ministry of Culture Organizes four day Children's Film Festival Arts & Culture Canadian PM wishes Muslims Eid-al-Adha News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks
