When half-siblings Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson inherited the iconic Bond franchise in the mid-1990s, they received a piece of advice from their dying father, legendary producer Cubby Broccoli. "Don’t let anybody else screw it up," he warned them. "You can screw it up if you want to, but don’t let other people screw it up." This guiding principle directed their creative decisions for decades. However, the landscape has now shifted dramatically.
Last week, Barbara Broccoli, 64, announced a significant shift in the franchise's legacy by selling their interest in their late father’s EON Productions to Amazon. This company has ensured the Broccoli family's creative control over 007 since the character first appeared on screen in 1962. The news has left Hollywood in disbelief. Why, after so diligently protecting this family heirloom, would Broccoli decide to sell? Especially to the very company she has been in conflict with since Amazon acquired MGM, Bond’s longtime home, for $8.45 billion in 2021?
Insiders propose a couple of theories. The first theory suggests that after producing nine Bond films over 30 years, starting with GoldenEye in 1995, Broccoli no longer has the stamina for another extensive Bond production journey. Although adept at managing meddlesome film executives, something she mastered early on with MGM, Broccoli reportedly grew weary of such battles. Her recent description of her new partners at Amazon as "fucking idiots" in a Wall Street Journal interview may have hinted at her readiness to leave.
The second theory involves Jeff Bezos making her an irresistible offer. According to a source familiar with the franchise, Bezos reacted to her quote in the Journal by calling up and saying, "I don’t care what it costs, get rid of her." The transaction reportedly cost Bezos around one billion dollars. While both theories hold plausibility, neither fully clarifies Broccoli’s surprising change of heart.
Several factors complicate the understanding of Broccoli's decision. Firstly, she is reportedly worth close to a half-billion dollars, implying that financial incentive was likely not a primary factor. Secondly, she is not only detaching from the franchise but also distancing herself from the Broccoli family, including young potential heirs like Wilson’s son, Greg, who was being groomed for leadership, and a niece actively involved in the movie business. "To tell you the truth," a source confides to Rambling Reporter, "nobody knows why Barbara did it. It doesn’t make sense."
As the Bond franchise enters this new chapter under Amazon's ownership, the film industry and fans alike will be watching closely to see how this iconic series evolves and how it continues to captivate audiences worldwide.
