Forward Looking Statements
23rd February 2025
Former James Bond actors and literary rights holders react to the Amazon take-over
By MI6 Staff
Share The Story
Daniel Craig was first out of the gate commenting on the news of Amazon winning creative control of the James Bond franchise with a positive spin: "My respect, admiration, and love for Barbara and Michael remain constant and undiminished,” Craig, who played the suave spy in five successful films, said in an exclusive statement to Variety. “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 has a big screen adaptation of 'Othello' on the cards with Broccoli.]
Fellow former James Bond actor Timothy Dalton was doing the publicity rounds last week for his new Paramount Plus series 1923 and reflected on how the franchise was previously run. "I was very, very surprised and shocked," he told the Radio Times. "Barbara is I think a fabulous woman and a wonderful producer, as was her father Cubby Broccoli, who I got on with very well and liked a lot. He was a very powerful and strong anchor for the project. Nothing went on that he didn't want and it's sad that he's not with us anymore, that's all I can say. He was well in charge of the show and that's not so anymore."
"It's a wonderful franchise. The movies have taken different courses over the years, but there is something very good about the original and I hope Amazon latch onto that and give us the kind of film that's brought so much excitement and fun to so many people," he continued. "Can you remember the first time you saw a Bond movie? You were a kid, right? Me too! And that's what got us going. Anyway, good luck to them, I say. I do wish them all the very, very best. They'll be doing their best to make a lot of money, so hopefully they will make good movies."
Whilst most of the immediate conjecture was about films and TV series spin-offs, one important aspect of the canon is the literary character and the literary estate ran by Ian Fleming Publications. Whilst there has only been one instance of post-Fleming work used in the film series directly (the torture scene from 'Colonel Sun' was used in 'SPECTRE'), the relationship between IFP and the screen rights holder may now shift. For many years, rumours such as a 'Young Bond' TV adaptation, or 'Moneypenny Diaries' show, have been merely that - as EON never showed interest in using the literary continuation IP proactively. Now that there has been a changing of the guard, IFP seem to be open for consideration:
"As the publishers of Ian Fleming’s literary work, we are deeply grateful to Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli for their remarkable stewardship and vision. Their imagining of James Bond on screen has created one of the world’s great film franchises and has led the incredible success of the British film industry," said IFP in a statement published on Friday.
"We are enormously excited about the next phase of the James Bond story on film under Amazon’s creative leadership and are confident in their new stewardship of Ian Fleming’s extraordinary creation. James Bond will return! The Fleming family would like to add to the tributes to EON and the Broccoli family – Cubby Broccoli in the early days and then Barbara and her brother Michael G. Wilson. Their achievement with James Bond is nothing less than astonishing – 25 films over a period of 60 years, all known and loved the world over. They have always respected the legacy of Ian Fleming and his words and his original depiction of Agent 007. We wish Barbara and Michael a happy future and send them our sincere thanks. We look forward to the future and await the dossier from M."
A complication with IFP may arise out of the use of James Bond trademarks. Danjaq took control of most of the James Bond related trademarks from the Fleming estate in 1989. In or around 2008, Danjaq acquired the remaining James Bond trademarks held by IFP. Subsequently, IFP applied to register further trademarks but Danjaq opposed these and the two parties came to a settlement. Since 2009, Danjaq have held all the James Bond trademarks. MI6 understands that as part of that agreement, IFP must gain approval for new Bond titles from Danjaq. With Amazon now taking creative control of the franchise, it is unclear where this leaves literary continuation projects.
Share The Story
