JAMES Bond’s future is now in the hands of US tech giant Amazon after it did a deal to take control of the British spy movies.
Billionaire Jeff Bezos’ firm has been handed the creative rights to 007, giving it power over the casting and content of the cinema blockbusters.
The deal could mean the series gets its first ever American Bond, or even debut on a streaming service rather than in the cinema.
Bond producers Barbara Broccoli, 64, and Michael G Wilson, 83, announced they will step down to make way for the deal.
They had made the films with their company EON Productions, based at Pinewood Studios, Slough.
Amazon bought Bond’s parent studio MGM in 2022.
But Ms Broccoli had previously branded the firm “f***ing idiots” and refused to green light the next film with the involvement of Amazon MGM Studios, currently based in California.
The movies are famed for their array of Bond girls including Halle Berry, Ana de Armas, Ursula Andress and Barbara Bach and super villains such as Blofeld,
And while Ms Broccoli and Mr Wilson will still have co-ownership over the brand, it will be down to Amazon to direct the direction of the blockbuster franchise.
But fans fear the move could be the franchise’s downfall, pointing to Star Wars’ perceived demise after Disney bought it from Lucasfilm.
Ms Broccoli and Mr Wilson are the daughter and step-son of Albert “Cubby” Broccoli, who launched the Bond films in 1962 and oversaw hits with 007 actors including Sir Roger Moore.
She said: “My life has been dedicated to maintaining and building upon the extraordinary legacy handed to Michael and me.
“With the conclusion of No Time to Die and Michael retiring, it is time to focus on other projects.”
Insiders claimed Barbara was previously upset by Amazon Studios boss Jennifer Salke, who referred to Bond as “content”.
Sources said Barbara saw it as a “lucrative family heirloom”.
The next 007 film, currently at the idea conception stage, has no release date after months of speculation over its new star, following Daniel Craig’s departure as Bond in 2021.
