Amazon MGM Studios Shelled Out An Extra $1 Billion-Plus To Take Control Of James Bond: What’s Next For The Franchise

Now with Elves, Hobbits, Dwarves, Orcs and Dragons!

https://deadline.com/2025/02/james-bond-amazon-mgm-studios-deal-1236296104/

Amazon originally overpaid on its purchase of MGM in a deal orchestrated by then-MGM board chair Kevin Ulrich. Though valued between $3.5 billion-$4 billion, the legendary motion picture studio was absorbed by the streamer for $8.5 billion, the hefty sum propped up by the potential access of the 007 franchise. However, Amazon couldn’t fully freely develop Bond with Broccoli and Wilson in the mix. Hence, it took another $1 billion to ensure that they could fully steer and exploit the Ian Fleming IP.

Those close to Broccoli and Wilson’s camp are gobsmacked that Broccoli caved to the streamer. “She’s a fighter” says one source, “but she got tired of fighting.” Another acknowledges it had to be an “emotional decision” for Broccoli. Also, with Wilson ready to retire, Broccoli wasn’t going to go at it alone.

Broccoli’s ire surrounded Amazon’s desire to expand the James Bond franchise into its own universe akin to Marvel or Star Wars. Broccoli and Wilson, children of legendary 007 producer Albert R. Broccoli, and always held the line on quality control when it came to the British spy, keeping the series as a stand-alone big-screen brand.