Barbara Broccoli, the long-standing producer of the James Bond films, is reportedly at odds with Amazon over the future of the iconic franchise.
The conflict arises as Amazon pushes to expand the Bond universe, including a proposed female-led spinoff series, which Broccoli has firmly opposed.
The tech giant acquired the rights to the franchise in March 2022 after purchasing Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios for $6.5 billion.
Broccoli, who inherited creative control of the Bond series from her late father, Albert “Cubby” Broccoli, retains approval rights over all aspects of the franchise.
According to The Wall Street Journal, she has been resistant to Amazon’s plans, particularly regarding a female 007 spinoff centered on Miss Moneypenny, the secretary to MI6 spy chief M. Broccoli reportedly dismissed Amazon executives’ ideas, allegedly referring to them as “f*cking idiots.”
Amazon’s ambition to capitalize on the Bond brand aligns with its strategy to bolster its streaming platform, Prime Video, by developing lucrative franchises.
However, Broccoli’s steadfast commitment to maintaining the series’ traditional identity has resulted in friction between the two parties.
The tension has escalated to the point where Broccoli is reportedly considering delaying the release of the next Bond film as leverage against Amazon’s proposed changes.
Broccoli’s firm stance on maintaining James Bond as a male character has been clear for years. In a 2021 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, she expressed her belief that the role should remain male. “I think [the next James Bond] will be a man because I don’t think a woman should play James Bond,” she stated. “I believe in making characters for women and not just having women play men’s roles. I don’t think there are enough great roles for women, and it’s very important to me that we make movies for women about women.”
This perspective aligns with the sentiments of former Bond actor Daniel Craig, who retired from the role after 2021’s No Time To Die. Craig voiced his opposition to gender-swapping Bond during a 2021 interview with Radio Times. “Why should a woman play James Bond when there should be a part just as good as James Bond, but for a woman?” he asked, advocating for the creation of original female-led franchises rather than reinterpreting existing ones.
While Broccoli has opposed a female Bond, she has been open to diversifying the character in other ways. Discussions have reportedly included casting a person of color or a gay actor in the role.
In a 2021 appearance on the Girls On Film podcast, Broccoli responded to a question about the possibility of a non-binary Bond using they/them pronouns. “Who knows? I mean, I think it’s open. We just have to find the right actor,” she said, suggesting a willingness to explore new dimensions of the character while maintaining its essence.
The conflict between Broccoli and Amazon highlights the challenges of balancing creative integrity with commercial ambitions in a world increasingly dominated by streaming platforms.
Broccoli has long championed a measured and deliberate approach to the Bond franchise, resisting external pressures to conform to trends or dilute the brand’s identity.
Amazon, on the other hand, sees immense potential in expanding the Bond universe to cater to evolving audience tastes and diversify its content offerings. However, Broccoli’s control over the franchise has proven a formidable barrier to these efforts.
As the dispute continues, the release date for the next Bond installment remains uncertain. Broccoli’s vision for the franchise remains rooted in tradition, with a focus on crafting compelling stories and characters within the established framework of the series.
