New insider reports claim to have revealed a behind-the-scenes dispute between Amazon and James Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson that led to their departure.
In mid-February, James Bond fans and the entire film world were shocked to learn that creative control of the 007 franchise had been transferred from long-standing producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson to Amazon. While Wilson cited retirement as the reason, Broccoli wanted to turn to other projects. However, new reports suggest a major dispute behind the scenes.
Quarrel between Jeff Bezos and Barbara Broccoli? The James Bond takeover was apparently not as easy as thought
As an extensive report in the Hollywood Reporter reveals, there has been repeated friction between the streamer and the James Bond producers since Amazon’s acquisition of MGM Studios in 2022. According to the report, Broccoli and Wilson continued to insist on continuing James Bond as a film series, while Amazon was already making plans in the background for a more extensive franchise with various formats.
As a result, Broccoli allegedly called the executive producers at Amazon “fucking idiots,” according to an article in the Wall Street Journal published in December 2024. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos then made calls with the following goal: “I don’t care how much it costs, get rid of them at any cost.” Other Amazon insiders denied that Bezos used that particular wording.
We will probably never know what actually happened. Ultimately, Bezos and Amazon are said to have spent around $1 billion to get Broccoli and Wilson out of the way as the creative minds behind the James Bond franchise. We can now eagerly await Amazon’s take on it.
When is Bond 26 coming?
The next James Bond movie has been treading water for years: apparently no script has been written yet, there is no creative direction, no director behind it and a new 007 star is also not in the offing.
