The fallout of Amazon MGM Studios’ takeover of theJames Bondfranchise has finally been addressed by the company’s CEO,Andy Jassy. While being interviewed about new AI features being added to the company’s Alexa voice assistant – I mean who wants to talk about that right now? – the subject of the future of the Bond franchise obviously came up.
After six decades under the creative guidance of Cubby Broccoli and then Barbara Broccoli, thenews that the franchise was handing over creative control to Amazon MGM Studioswas not received well by many fans, who have decried the move as the death of the franchise, and the beginning of a huge wave of cash-grab spinoffs that will water down the franchise to a pointless husk. Very similar comments to those made about Disney taking over theAlienandPredatorfranchises…just saying.
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Asked about Amazon’s plans forJames Bond, including the question whether AI could be used in the franchise, Jassy shared a short and cautious response, filled with all the positivity you would expect given the current mood about the massive change to the franchise. He said:
“We don’t have a plan yet on what the next theme is going to be. We haven’t – nobody’s written the story yet. But we will take great care. It’s an amazing franchise that we care a lot about and that we expect to develop over a long period of time. I don’t believe that AI is going to write a Bond movie any time soon.”
Jassy followed up by adding that Amazon execs are“incredibly honored to have the ability to help shepherd the Bond franchise for the next generation. And we have amazing filmmakers that we have hired over time at MGM Amazon Studios.”
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No one likes change, an undeniable fact of life. When it comes to the idea of someone messing with the formula of a much-loved franchise likeJames Bond, the fallout is so much greater and far-reaching. While fans are incredibly skeptical about what Amazon can actually bring to the character’s adventures in the future, former Bond stars Daniel Craig and TImothy Dalton had their own takes on the news.
When addressing the announcement,Craig focused on showing his appreciation for both Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, who he said he still had “constant and undiminished” respect for, and hoped to work with them in the future. Meanwhile, Dalton was more forthcoming with a direct response to the Bond franchise’s next steps, saying:
“I have no idea what Amazon would do with it, and I have no idea what the relationship of Amazon to the Broccolis will be. But it is a damn fine series of movies. I was watching it when I was young, we all were. It’s been a part of our lives, so anything that threatens it is kind of sad.”
In the end, the deal is done, and James Bond is about to take on one of his biggest challenges in over 60 years of on-screen adventures. It is clear that it will be some time before we see the super spy back on the big screen, but when he does return there will be many people incredibly interested to see how Amazon upholds the character’s legacy. This will be enough to drive the franchise to a strong box office, but whether it brings satisfaction and vindication with it is the one thing no one can predict.
