RIP James Bond? Amazon Takes Over 007 Franchise, Sparks Fears of Franchise Ruin

James Bond, one of Britain’s most iconic cultural exports, is facing a seismic shift that has fans worried. With Amazon now taking full creative control of the 007 franchise, many fear that the legendary spy is headed for the same disastrous fate as other beloved intellectual properties that have been mishandled by Hollywood.

Amazon’s Takeover: What Happened?

In a shocking move, longtime James Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson have stepped back, leaving Amazon’s MGM Studios with full creative control over the future of the franchise.

According to reports, Broccoli and Wilson have formed a joint venture with Amazon, meaning they still co-own the rights, but Amazon will now determine the creative direction of future Bond films.

Barbara Broccoli’s Previous Warning: “Amazon Are Idiots”

This move is particularly surprising given that just two months ago, Barbara Broccoli openly criticized Amazon, calling them “idiots” and fighting against the idea of a Bond cinematic universe.

During negotiations, Amazon executives pushed for spin-offs, including:

A MoneyPenny TV series
A female-led 007 film
A Bond Cinematic Universe similar to Marvel

At the time, Broccoli rejected these ideas outright, reportedly telling Amazon executives:

“Did you read the contract again?”

She even invoked a lesson from her late father, original Bond producer Cubby Broccoli, saying:

“Don’t let temporary people make permanent decisions.”

Yet now, something has changed drastically—and speculation suggests that money was the deciding factor.

The Daniel Craig Era: A Declining Bond

While Daniel Craig’s tenure as James Bond started with Casino Royale—one of the most celebrated Bond films ever—it eventually devolved into an identity crisis for the character.

From Quantum of Solace to No Time to Die, Bond became:

Less of a charming, womanizing spy and more of a brooding, self-loathing agent
Secondary to female characters, particularly in the last film where a new “007” was introduced
A character who, instead of escaping danger, literally walked into missile fire to die

While the Craig films performed well at the box office, many longtime fans disliked the tonal shift. Now, with Amazon in charge, it’s unclear how much further the character will drift from his roots.

Will Amazon Ruin James Bond?

Amazon’s track record with established franchises is concerning. Their handling of The Rings of Power—the divisive Lord of the Rings spinoff—has been widely criticized for misrepresenting Tolkien’s work and alienating fans.

Similarly, Doctor Who saw a significant decline in viewership after BBC executives attempted to modernize the show with forced identity politics, culminating in its near cancellation before Disney took control.

If Amazon follows a similar approach with Bond, fans fear:

A “modernized” 007 that abandons the suave, lethal, and charismatic elements that made Bond legendary
More focus on social messaging and less on the espionage, gadgets, and action that define the franchise
A reimagined Bond world with a diverse ensemble replacing the singular, dominant presence of the British spy

The Future of 007: A Fan Vote?

In an unexpected move, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos took to social media to “crowdsource” ideas for the next Bond actor. This has led to widespread speculation that Amazon may be:

Testing public reaction to certain casting choices
Seeking a major departure from traditional Bond actors
Using audience feedback as a smokescreen for a decision they’ve already made

Hollywood’s Creative Decline: Is This the Final Blow?

Many see this Amazon takeover as yet another example of Hollywood corporations swallowing up legacy franchises, only to strip them of their identity in pursuit of broader “modern audiences.”

Netflix, Disney, and now Amazon are all being criticized for prioritizing corporate messaging over storytelling, leading to box office flops and declining viewer trust.

With Bond now in the hands of a company more known for its online shopping empire than its respect for cinematic history, the question remains:

Is James Bond about to suffer the same fate as so many other ruined franchises?

Final Thoughts: Should Fans Be Worried?

For now, longtime Bond fans are cautiously pessimistic. While some hope Amazon may respect the franchise’s legacy, others predict that the next 007 film could be the final nail in the coffin for the classic spy series.

Only time will tell if Amazon will give us a Bond worthy of the name—or a disaster that will forever tarnish the legacy of 007.