The Bond franchise, a family heirloom passed down through four generations, has finally found a new owner – Amazon. Barbara Broccoli, 64, and her brother Michael G. Wilson, 83, who inherited the franchise in the mid-1990s, have sold their stake to the tech giant for an estimated $1 billion.
The news has left Hollywood stunned, as it marks a significant departure from the Broccoli family’s decades-long control of the 007 franchise. The siblings received guidance from their late father, Cubby Broccoli, who advised them not to let others “screw it up.” However, after producing nine Bond films over 30 years, Barbara Broccoli appears to have lost interest in continuing the marathon production process.
Insiders suggest two possible reasons for her decision: either she grew tired of working with Amazon’s partners and had a change of heart or Jeff Bezos made an offer she couldn’t refuse. However, neither theory fully explains Barbara Broccoli’s sudden departure from the franchise. With the Bond family legacy being passed down to younger generations, including Greg Wilson, son of Michael G. Wilson, it remains unclear why Barbara Broccoli chose to sever her ties with the business.
The sale marks a significant shift in the ownership and management of the 007 franchise, leaving many questions unanswered about its future under Amazon’s control.
Source: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/barbara-broccoli-sells-james-bond-decision-1236146734