In a stunning announcement, Amazon MGM Studios has introduced that it’s taking up inventive management of the James Bond collection as a part of a cope with collection stewards Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson. What does this imply for Hitman developer IO’s new James Bond recreation, or every other future Bond tasks? We do not know as of but, however given simply how lengthy Broccoli and Wilson have led the franchise, modifications could possibly be afoot.
Broccoli and Wilson had managed the James Bond franchise for nearly 60 years, following it being handed down from their father, Cubby Broccoli. The pair have been the driving pressure behind your entire Bond franchise throughout that interval, together with deciding on the actors who would play the long-lasting spy.Their work has prolonged past simply the films, as Broccoli at the least has been concerned in decision-making for the video games; it just lately got here to mild that Broccoli raised plenty of issues concerning the GoldenEye recreation for Wii.
In a press release, Amazon stated Broccoli and Wilson have created a brand new three way partnership the place the James Bond IP rights will reside, and they’ll proceed to co-own the James Bond collection. Nevertheless, Amazon MGM Studios will “achieve inventive management of the James Bond franchise” as soon as it closes the deal. Monetary phrases of the deal weren’t disclosed.
“We’re honored to proceed this treasured heritage, and sit up for ushering within the subsequent section of the legendary 007 for audiences around the globe,” Amazon MGM Studios boss Mike Hopkins stated.
IO’s new James Bond recreation tells an origin story for the character, and that is by no means been carried out earlier than. When the sport was introduced in 2020, IO stated it was working collaboratively with the James Bond rights-holders on the undertaking, and it subsequently got here to mild that IO meant for the sport to kick off a brand new trilogy. What impression the brand new management at Amazon MGM Studios may have on IO’s recreation is unknown, however GameSpot has contacted the studio in an try to get extra particulars. We have additionally reached out to Amazon MGM Studios.
IO Interactive CEO Hakan Abrak advised IGN that Venture 007 will not be primarily based on any of the present Bond films. As an alternative, the developer is being allowed to create its personal model of James Bond for the sport.
“What’s thrilling about that undertaking is that we truly acquired to do an authentic story,” stated Abrak. “So it is not a gamification of a film. It is fully starting and changing into a narrative, hopefully for an enormous trilogy on the market sooner or later. And equally essential and thrilling, it is a new Bond. It is a Bond we constructed from floor up for avid gamers. It is extraordinarily thrilling with all of the custom and all of the historical past there may be there collectively to work on this along with the household of making a younger Bond for avid gamers; a Bond that the avid gamers can name their very own and develop with.”
A variety of corporations have made James Bond video video games over time. Probably the most memorable and iconic James Bond video games was Uncommon’s 1997 GoldenEye 007 for Nintendo 64. Digital Arts made James Bond video games, too, together with Agent Below Hearth, Nightfire, and Rogue Agent. Activison took over for a time frame, publishing titles like Quantum of Solace and Blood Stone. There hasn’t been a brand new James Bond recreation for console since 2012’s 007 Legends, although Cypher 007 got here out for cell in 2023.
Wilson stated he plans to “give attention to artwork and charitable tasks,” whereas Broccoli stated she’s going to give attention to “my different tasks.”
Amazon purchased MGM in 2002, and since then, it has owned the distibrution rights to the James Bond films. There hasn’t been a brand new James Bond film since then, nevertheless, with 2021’s No Time To Die being the newest entry within the collection.
Given this large shakeup, nobody ought to anticipate the following James Bond film anytime quickly. Deadline reported that “no choices have been made on the longer term Bond movies together with who will star, direct or write the following movie.”
Amazon MGM Studios taking up full inventive management of the collection may pave the way in which for a call concerning the franchise’s future to be made extra simply. With Broccoli and Wilson not attending to determine the way forward for the collection, many are questioning (and worrying) how this might all shake out.