Bezos’s Bond Ultimatum: ‘Get Rid of Her’
Reports indicate that former Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos ordered executives to buy out Barbara Broccoli’s stake in the James Bond franchise, culminating in a nearly billion-dollar deal, after tensions between the studio and the long-time Bond producers escalated. The directive reportedly came with the blunt instruction, “I don’t care what it costs, get rid of her.”
Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, who have jointly controlled the Bond franchise for the past three decades, had reportedly opposed Amazon’s plans for franchise spinoffs. The sale came after the previously announced retirement of Michael G. Wilson, leaving the future of the 007 series uncertain under Amazon’s leadership, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The alleged order, reported by The Hollywood Reporter, followed an article in the Wall Street Journal where Broccoli was quoted allegedly calling Amazon executives “fucking idiots.” Sources close to the agreement confirmed the directive. This event marked a significant low point in the relationship between Amazon and the producers, and ultimately led to the significant shift in ownership.
Who is Barbara Broccoli?
Barbara Broccoli, 64, is the daughter of the legendary Bond producer Albert “Cubby” Broccoli. She has served as co-producer of the James Bond franchise for three decades alongside her half-brother, Michael G. Wilson. Broccoli inherited EON Productions after her father’s passing in 1995, and has overseen the franchise’s modern successes, in particular the films starring Daniel Craig. Notably, Skyfall became the first Bond film to gross over $1 billion worldwide.
The Billion-Dollar Buyout
Sources state that Amazon paid approximately a billion dollars to acquire the James Bond franchise from Broccoli and Wilson, who had carefully curated creative control over the series since inheriting EON Productions from their father, Albert “Cubby” Broccoli, the original producer of the Bond films.
The relationship between Amazon and the Bond producers deteriorated after Amazon’s $8.5 billion acquisition of MGM in 2022, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Amazon executives wanted TV series and spinoff content, but Broccoli and Wilson were strongly opposed to such developments.
Wilson previously stated, “We just try to focus on making good pictures, and it takes time,” expressing his reluctance to delegate creative control to television content. Broccoli was even more direct, saying Bond TV shows were “not something we’ve ever wanted to do.”
Uncertain Future for 007
Reports suggest that Amazon pitched several spinoff ideas. These included series centered on MI6 secretary Moneypenny and Bond’s CIA ally Felix Leiter, but they were repeatedly rejected by the producers who held contractual creative power over the franchise. The Hollywood Reporter gathered this information through its investigation.
Wilson’s retirement was a major factor in Broccoli’s decision to sell, as she no longer wanted to face the studio battles alone. With no new Bond film in development since No Time to Die wrapped six years ago, and with no new actor cast to replace Daniel Craig, the franchise had stalled.
Concerns have been expressed by Bond fans that Amazon might dilute the brand through excessive content, The Hollywood Reporter notes. Industry observers also note that while Amazon’s removal of the Broccoli-Wilson leadership ends the sometimes rigid control they exerted, it also eliminates their vast decades of institutional knowledge about what makes Bond films successful.
