After nearly 60 years, creative control of the James Bond franchise will shift to new owners. On the morning of Thursday, February 20th, Amazon MGM announced that it had acquired full creative ownership of the James Bond franchise from longtime producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson. The two have decided to part ways with the franchise, choosing to focus on other individual projects in art and charity, though the two still maintain co-ownership of the franchise.

In a statement provided by Collider. Wilson said:

With my 007 career spanning nearly 60 incredible years, I am stepping back from producing the James Bond films to focus on art and charitable projects. Therefore, Barbara and I agree, it is time for our trusted partner, Amazon MGM Studios, to lead James Bond into the future

In another statement, Barbara Broccoli expanded with a similar farewell to the franchise, saying:

My life has been dedicated to maintaining and building upon the extraordinary legacy that was handed to Michael and me by our father, producer Cubby Broccoli. I have had the honor of working closely with four of the tremendously talented actors who have played 007 and thousands of wonderful artists within the industry. With the conclusion of No Time to Die and Michael retiring from the films, I feel it is time to focus on my other projects.

Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, commented on this new creative transition:

Since his theatrical introduction over 60 years ago, James Bond has been one of the most iconic characters in filmed entertainment. We are grateful to the late Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman for bringing James Bond to movie theaters around the world and to Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli for their unyielding dedication and their role in continuing the legacy of the franchise that is cherished by legions of fans worldwide. We are honored to continue this treasured heritage and look forward to ushering in the next phase of the legendary 007 for audiences around the world. 

With this new ownership, Amazon MGM Studios now has complete control over future reboots or spinoffs of the franchise. Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli were infamously very protective of the Bond Franchise, fighting against any studio meddling in their producing of past Bond films. So, it’ll be interesting to see what decisions Amazon MGM Studios will make for the franchise without Wilson and Broccoli’s involvement.