Prime Premiere
2nd November 2023
MI6 reports from the premiere of 007: Road To A Million in London
On 2 November 2023, Amazon MGM Studios, 72 Films, and EON Productions presented the premiere of their eagerly anticipated series, 007: Road To A Million. Held at Battersea Power Station, London, the screening of episode 1 was attended by Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Greg Wilson, as well as contestants and star, Brian Cox.
In 007: Road To A Million, the first James Bond TV format, nine pairs of everyday people are unleashed on an epic global adventure through a series of Bond-inspired challenges, for a shot at winning a life-changing £1,000,000 prize. The Controller (Brian Cox) is the mastermind behind the game, watching the pairs as they hunt for 10 questions he’s hidden around the world. Find them, answer them, win £1,000,000.
Outside the iconic Grade II listed Battersea Power Station, a collection of Bond vehicles greeted guests: the Aston Martin DB5 and a Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE ('No Time To Die'), a Rolls Royce Silver Wraith and a Jaguar C-X75 ('SPECTRE') and a Jaguar XKR ('Die Another Day'). In the pre-drinks reception, guests were invited to take part in interactive experiences such as striking their very best gun barrel pose.
The screening was introduced by Head of Amazon MGM Studios, Jennifer Salke, and Head of Unscripted for Amazon Studios UK, Fozia Kahn. Salke began, “We feel so honoured that EON has trusted us on this journey, and thank you Barbara, Michael and Gregg, and all our friends at 72 Films and MGM Studios for bringing this all to life. You have all been such brilliant partners and have created something truly special for audiences all over the globe. Celebrating the premiere of this landmark series, with guests and media from across the world, in this wonderful iconic British heritage landmark venue, Battersea Power Station, we are about to be transported into the world of 007 in an entirely new and original way.” Kahn added, “This is hugely exciting. The show you will see tonight has been born from exceptional pedigree. I’d like to thank our trusted partners at 72 Films, MGM, and EON – Barbara Broccoli, Michael Wilson and Gregg Wilson whose input throughout has helped elevate this series.”
Founder and CEO of 72 Films, David Glover, said the series had been four years in the making, “What I have been thrilled by is what we can offer from the unscripted world - the people and the cast - and we chose a cast of people we really like and they are heroic in their own way and it turns out if you throw real people into James Bond situations they show immense heart and heroism and humour.”
Executive Producer Gregg Wilson finished the pre-show presentation by saying, “We are very precious about our IP and who we partner with, and we take everything we do very seriously. It was out of my comfort zone being in the world of unscripted, where you have a plan and the plan changes completely. For me, it was a really lovely learning experience.”
Following a highly entertaining screening and a preview of subsequent episodes, the filmmakers were joined on stage with some of their cast and 'Succession' star, Brian Cox, who discussed why he took on the role of the Controller, “It was something I had never done. It was genuine fun.” Brothers James and Joey and couple Josh and Kamara shared their once-in-a-lifetime experiences of starring in this unique show. Glover outlined his remit when casting, “Barbara Broccoli had said she picked Daniel Craig partly because he had a quality as an actor, that he is almost lit from inside. I thought that was kind of an amazing phrase. When casting we were looking for people that have that. And you light up the screen, all of you. That is the joy of the show.”
Gregg Wilson concluded by outlining what he hopes the audience take home from the series, “The show has a lot of heart and that is all down to the contestants we have. Everyone who is part of the show was vulnerable and courageous and opened themselves up and allowed us to see their relationships. 007 will get people in the door and tune in and watch the first episode, but it is the cast and Brian’s amazing performance as the Controller, that carries the show.”
007: Road To A Million will launch exclusively on Prime Video in over 240 countries and territories on 10 November.