Is Amazon going to surprise the world with a female James Bond?
James Bond may not be much of a feminist, but could we soon see the womanising spy be reinvented? Industry insiders have claimed that Amazon bosses are potentially considering the possibility of a female James Bond.
News that Amazon MGM Studios would be taking over full creative control of the James Bond IP was met with a mixture of shock and worry from fans of the fictional British spy. James Bond has been an icon of cinema since Dr. No was released in 1962.
Based on the works of British writer Ian Fleming, the James Bond films follow the exploits of an MI6 agent, codenamed 007, who frequently has to save us all from cunning villains and their plans for world domination. Of course, Bond also always has time for a Martini and enjoys playing casino games too, such as in Casino Royale.
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The first adaptation of Bond, which was released by Eon Productions, part-owned by Albert R. Broccoli, was a major hit, and since then, Bond has grown in popularity around the world. The most recent Bond films, starring Daniel Craig as the cold-blooded agent, grossed over $3.5 billion globally.
Although many actors have stepped into the shoes of Bond, the films have always remained relatively faithful to the source material. However, the Hollywood Reporter announced that this could soon change under the ownership of Amazon MGM.
Sources close to the franchise have said that the streaming giant approached the Broccoli family, who have retained ownership of the IP over the decades, with a pitch for a female 007. The Broccoli family were originally unmoved by the offers from Amazon, but money talks, and they have since agreed on a deal.
Amazon MGM Studios now has creative control over the Bond franchise, reportedly paying more than $1 billion. Barbara Broccoli and Michal G. Wilson, who have been major producers of the series will remain as co-owners, but Amazon will still have the final say over who Bond is.
Mike Hopkins, the head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, reported on the creative takeover: "Since his theatrical introduction over 60 years ago, James Bond has been one of the most iconic characters in filmed entertainment.
"We are grateful to the late Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman for bringing James Bond to movie theatres around the world, and to Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli for their unyielding dedication and their role in continuing the legacy of the franchise that is cherished by legions of fans worldwide."
Of course, Bond has been played by many actors over the years, and each has put their own touch on the character. The best Bonds combine their ruthlessness with intelligence and charm and are able to be playful and crack jokes too.
Ultimately, we’ll have to wait and see what Amazon Studios does with the character, but the fact that Broccoli and Wilson are still co-owners is a good sign. Bond fans may be nervous, but we think there are a lot of reasons to be excited about the news too.
