Daniel Craig Weighs in on Amazon MGM’s Bond Takeover
A fixture in the global cinema industry for six decades, the James Bond franchise has always been synonymous with legacy. From Sean Connery’s smooth-talking secret agent to Daniel Craig’s brooding and battle-worn incarnation, the series has long been shepherded by EON Productions, the company founded by Albert R. “Cubby” Broccoli and Harry Saltzman in the early 1960s.
But now, that legacy has shifted. In a move that sent shockwaves through the industry, Amazon MGM Studios assumed full creative control over the future of Bond, following a new joint venture with longtime franchise stewards Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli.
Wilson, whose involvement with Bond stretches back nearly 60 years, announced his retirement alongside the deal, leaving Amazon in command of 007’s future. The implications are vast. While Broccoli and Wilson retain co-ownership, the handover marks an unprecedented shift in the power dynamics behind cinema’s most enduring spy.
Daniel Craig Pays Tribute to Wilson and Broccoli
For Daniel Craig, the man who anchored the franchise for 15 years before bowing out in No Time to Die, the announcement was met with a characteristically measured response. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, he said:
“My respect, admiration and love for Barbara and Michael remain constant and undiminished. I wish Michael a long, relaxing (and well-deserved) retirement and whatever ventures Barbara goes on to do, I know they will be spectacular and I hope I can be part of them.”
Craig’s words serve as both a tribute and a gentle reassurance. His tenure as Bond, spanning five films and a franchise reinvention, was shaped in no small part by Broccoli and Wilson’s meticulous guardianship.
Their devotion to the character, often prioritising artistic vision over box office expediency, has been widely credited with keeping Bond relevant in an era of shifting cinematic landscapes. And now that Bond is under new stewardship, fans are concerned.
Amazon’s Grand Plans—But at What Cost?
With Wilson departing and Broccoli stepping back to pursue other projects, Amazon now finds itself in sole command of one of the most lucrative intellectual properties in film history. The company’s ambitions remain unclear, but speculation has already begun.
Will the Bond movies continue to arrive as grand, cinematic events? Or is a streaming-era reinvention—complete with spin-offs, origin stories, and universe-building—on the horizon?
Wilson, in his parting statement, acknowledged the significance of the moment:
“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.”
Broccoli, too, reflected on the weight of the decision, saying her life had been “dedicated to maintaining and building upon the extraordinary legacy” that she inherited from her father.
“I have had the honour of working closely with four of the tremendously talented actors who have played 007 and thousands of wonderful artists within the industry,” she continued. “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.”
Amazon MGM Now in the Driver’s Seat of the DB5
Mike Hopkins, the head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, was more bullish about the future, stating that Amazon was “honoured to continue this treasured heritage,” words Bond fans will cherish, as he also promised to usher in “the next phase of the legendary 007 for audiences around the world.”
Speaking before the full takeover, Jennifer Salke, Amazon MGM’s global head said the production company wasn’t “looking to disrupt the way [Bond movies are made]. For us, we are taking their lead.” But this was before Amazon MGM gain full creative control.
So, therein lies the question—what exactly will that next phase look like?
Bond, for all its reinventions over the years, has never ceded control to a corporate behemoth of this scale. The franchise has always been carefully managed, with casting, storylines, and tone dictated by a select few rather than boardroom consensus.
For better or worse, that era has now passed. Bond’s destiny belongs to Amazon, and whether that results in thrilling reinvention or a dilution of its mystique remains to be seen.
