Amazon has gained creative control of the James Bond film franchise after the long-standing producers of the 007 films stepped away as part of a new deal.

Eon Productions, run by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli – who have produced the franchise since the death of Albert “Cubby” Broccoli – announced it would be co-owners with Amazon MGM Studios, run by tech billionaire Jeff Bezos.

The official Bond film franchise has been controlled by members of the Broccoli family, either single-handedly or in partnership with others, since the first 007 movie Dr. No in 1962.

There has been increasing speculation about the future of the series, with no announcement of a new actor to play the famous spy since Daniel Craig’s final portrayal in 2021’s No Time to Die . The movie grossed US$774 million in global box office receipts.

In 2022, Amazon acquired MGM, including the rights to distribute James Bond films – and would now have control of the intellectual property rights.