In a surprising turn of events, Amazon has gained creative control over the iconic James Bond franchise, leaving former Bond actor Timothy Dalton "shocked." Dalton, known for his portrayal of the infamous agent in “The Living Daylights” (1987) and “License to Kill” (1989), expressed his reactions during a recent interview with the Radio Times.
Dalton, now 78, shared, “I was very, very surprised and shocked.” He praised Barbara Broccoli, who, alongside her stepbrother Michael G. Wilson, had been at the helm of the franchise. “Barbara is, I think, a fabulous woman and a wonderful producer, as was her father Cubby Broccoli. He was a very powerful and strong anchor for the project,” Dalton added.
The late Albert “Cubby” Broccoli, the visionary creator of the James Bond films, passed the legacy to his daughter Barbara and stepson Wilson in 1955. Despite the franchise being owned by MGM Studios, Barbara and Wilson maintained creative control through their company, Eon Productions. This changed when Amazon acquired MGM in 2022, gaining creative control.
Last Thursday, Barbara and Wilson announced they would be stepping back from the franchise. Wilson, 83, plans to focus on art and charitable projects, while Barbara, 64, will pursue other ventures. However, they will continue as co-owners of the Bond franchise.
The acquisition reportedly cost Amazon approximately $1 billion, as reported by Deadline. Dalton commented on the future of the franchise, saying, “The movies have taken different courses over the years, but there is something very good about the original, and I hope Amazon latch onto that and give us the kind of film that’s brought so much excitement and fun to so many people.”
Dalton added, “Anyway, good luck to them, I say. I do wish them all the very, very best. They’ll be doing their best to make a lot of money, so hopefully, they will make good movies.”
The news of Amazon's acquisition has been met with a mix of excitement and skepticism. The Post’s entertainment critic Johnny Oleksinski predicted potential challenges, suggesting Amazon might produce "forgettable Bond television series and spin-off films," calling it “the death of an iconic brand.”
Fans have also voiced their concerns, with one lamenting on social media, “RIP James Bond. Amazon will destroy a great franchise, like Disney have destroyed Star Wars.” Another fan urged, “Don’t dilute that with a plethora of streaming spin-offs.”
Meanwhile, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos appeared optimistic, posting on X, “Who’d you pick as the next Bond?” Former 007 actor Daniel Craig also shared his thoughts, expressing continued respect and admiration for Barbara and Michael. Craig stated, “I wish Michael a long, relaxing (and well-deserved) retirement, and whatever ventures Barbara goes on to do, I know they will be spectacular, and I hope I can be part of them.”
