Sooner or later everyone has a price, but in the case of James Bond ‘s former paymasters it’s significantly lower than the incredible sums being reported as recently as last week.
After 25 films, six 007’s and countless foiled attempts at world domination, long-term producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael C Wilson sold the hugely popular spy franchise to Amazon MGM for a widely reported $1 billion, in February.
But a recent earnings report from Wilson and Broccoli’s Eon Productions suggests the true figure is notably less than initially thought.
‘On 20 February 2025, the company entered into an agreement for the sale of its interest in the Bond franchise, all associated assets as well as its subsidiary companies, B24 Limited and B25 Limited,’ reads the report, published by Variety.
‘The total consideration for the sale amounted to $20 million (USD).’
The deal gives Jeff Bezos and Amazon MGM full creative control of the franchise going forward, while forming a joint venture with Wilson and Broccoli to manage intellectual property rights.
Sooner or later everyone has a price, but in the case of James Bond ‘s former paymasters it’s significantly lower than the incredible sums being reported as recently as last week
The decision to cede creative control of the company to Bezos and his rapidly growing empire sparked inevitable outrage among Bond loyalists, with many fearing the quintessentially British franchise will lose the key elements that made it successful.
The Bond universe is already in a state of flux following the departure of Daniel Craig after five films as the suave secret agent. His successor is yet to be confirmed.
‘Since his theatrical introduction over 60 years ago, James Bond has been one of the most iconic characters in filmed entertainment,’ Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, said in a statement.
‘We are honoured to continue this treasured heritage, and look forward to ushering in the next phase of the legendary 007 for audiences around the world.’
Wilson – the stepson of Albert ‘Cubby’ Broccoli who launched the British spy franchise in 1962 – added that it was ‘time’ for Amazon to take creative control over future productions.
‘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,’ he explained.
‘Therefore, Barbara and I agree, it is time for our trusted partner, Amazon MGM Studios, to lead James Bond into the future.’
Wilson and Broccoli were given creative control of the films by their late father, who based the franchise on author Ian Fleming’s spy novel series.
Amazon closed its $8.45 billion purchase of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 2022, buying the rights to some of the production company’s iconic stable of films, including the Bond franchise
Since his passing in 1996, the pair have worked with Pierce Brosnan and Craig – actors who have each brought their own unique take on the MI6 agent.
‘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,’ Broccoli added.
Amazon closed its $8.45 billion purchase of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 2022, buying the rights to some of the production company’s iconic stable of films that includes the Rocky and James Bond franchises.
But the initial deal only gave them 50% ownership of Bond, with creative control still in the hands or original owners Broccoli and Wilson – until February.
‘MGM has a nearly century-long legacy of producing exceptional entertainment, and we share their commitment to delivering a broad slate of original films and television shows to a global audience,’ said Mike Hopkins, senior vice president of Prime Video and Amazon Studios, in a statement.
In December 2020, MGM said it was exploring a sale. It said it had tapped investment banks Morgan Stanley and LionTree LLC, and started a formal sale process
The Bond universe is currently in a state of flux following the departure of Daniel Craig after five films as the suave secret agent. His successor is yet to be confirmed.
MGM, founded in 1924, has a library of about 4,000 movies and 17,000 TV episodes, according to Indiewire.
The company emerged from bankruptcy in 2010 and has relied on other companies to market and distribute many of its films since.
Amazon now has full ownership of the brand’s post-1986 catalog. Everything before that was sold decades ago and is now distributed by Warner Bros.
The merger has significantly expanded the e-commerce company’s offerings as it continues to move into digital streaming, but it has also been met with some backlash from those opposed to the increasing power and influence of Amazon, one of the most valuable companies in the world.
