The world of James Bond is no stranger to power struggles and high-stakes drama. However, this time, it’s happening behind the scenes. Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos has reportedly bought out longtime Bond producer Barbara Broccoli.
Additionally, this wasn’t a meticulously planned takeover. Instead, Bezos wanted the franchise out of Broccoli’s hands because of her alleged comments.
Jeff Bezos Took Over James Bond After Barbara Broccoli Called Amazon Executives “F***ing Idiots”
The whole ordeal started after Barbara Broccoli allegedly called Amazon executives “f**king idiots.” According to The Hollywood Reporter, Bezos was incensed after reading Broccoli’s unfiltered comment in The Wall Street Journal. An unnamed insider revealed that Bezos immediately took action.
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“I don’t care what it costs, get rid of her,” he reportedly told his team. And now we all know he meant it. Amazon’s full takeover of the James Bond IP through Amazon MGM Studios came with a staggering $1 billion price tag. And the amount, by all accounts, wasn’t just about business. It’s clear that Bezos wanted to prove a point.
This dramatic fallout came after years of tension between Broccoli, her half-brother Michael G. Wilson, and Amazon executives. The Broccolis, who have controlled the Bond franchise for decades, resisted Amazon’s push for expanded content. This included spin-offs and TV adaptations.
Sources claim that Amazon pitched multiple ideas, such as a Moneypenny series, a Felix Leiter show, and even a female-led 007 project. However, Broccoli and Wilson weren’t interested. Even before Bezos made his move, signs of friction were clear. Broccoli reportedly took offense when Amazon’s content chief, Jennifer Salke, referred to Bond films as mere “content.” Meanwhile, Wilson was allegedly excluded from key meetings.
The Future Of James Bond Remains Filled With Uncertainty And Backlash
With the Broccolis out of the picture, James Bond is at a crossroads. The franchise has been in limbo since Daniel Craig’s exit in ‘No Time to Die’. Additionally, there’s still no confirmed actor, director, or script for the next installment. Broccoli was reportedly unimpressed with Amazon’s casting suggestions.
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This included rumored frontrunner Aaron Taylor-Johnson, further stalling the process. Now, with full control, Bezos wasted no time in turning to social media to ask his followers who should play Bond next. While this might be a clever way to engage fans, it also raises concerns about whether Amazon understands what makes Bond tick.
The franchise has long been defined by its careful, hands-on approach to casting and storytelling. So, crowdsourcing such a crucial decision feels like a desperate PR move. Meanwhile, Amazon’s ambition to turn Bond into a sprawling, Marvel-style cinematic universe is already raising eyebrows.
