Potential Upsides of Amazon MGM’s Acquisition of the Bond Franchise Despite Concerns

In an exciting turn of events for James Bond enthusiasts, Amazon MGM Studios has fully assumed control of the 007 franchise, taking over from the long-time stewards, Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli. While there are reasons for concern, it’s essential to remember that the Bond universe is already vast with numerous spinoff books, games, and comics beyond Ian Fleming’s original novels. Many writers, actors, and artists have put their spin on the suave secret agent and his entourage. With Amazon eyeing a James Bond “universe” akin to Marvel or Star Wars—and with billions of dollars in the mix—the franchise seems poised to thrive.

Barbara Broccoli had her apprehensions about handing over the reins, worried that Amazon MGM might push for rapid expansion or choose a high-profile actor to embody the iconic spy. However, as amusing as the idea of Timothée Chalamet as Bond might be, that seems unlikely (sorry Chalamet fans). Amazon has dabbled in building their espionage narratives, as seen with their Citadel series and its international spinoffs, Citadel: Diana and Citadel: Honey Bunny. While none have reached the acclaim of Amazon’s hits like The Boys, with the exception of Honey Bunny, they show Amazon’s determination to dive into the spy genre.

Perhaps, Amazon’s foray into Bond isn’t a coincidence. Their successful series lineup often centers around strong-willed men with firearms, drawn from book series, much like Jack Reacher, Jack Ryan, and Bosch. Acquiring Bond might be one of Amazon’s smartest moves, given the existing data; after all, Bond fans on Prime Video seem a natural target.

There’s an interesting nugget you might not know: Amazon already dipped its toes into the James Bond universe with a TV show. They launched the reality game series, 007: Road to a Million, hosted by Brian Cox in 2023, which got renewed for a second season before the first even aired. Although minorly linked to Bond, with Cox playing a villainous role, it underscores Amazon’s early steps in Bond-centric content. Fun fact, though: Cox thought he was signing up for a Bond film; maybe Amazon should make that happen for him someday.

But let’s rewind the clock a bit. In 1954, Climax!, an anthology series, showcased the very first adaptation of “Casino Royale,” Ian Fleming’s novel, long before it hit the big screen multiple times. Television hasn’t been Bond’s main territory, but like video games (who can forget the classic GoldenEye for N64?) and comics, the franchise has thrived in various forms and is ripe for TV adaptations.

No formal announcements have been made about ditching film production entirely, and it’s unlikely Amazon will. Even though MGM isn’t the powerhouse it once was, it still produces gems like the Oscar-nominated Nickel Boys alongside commercial releases like Red One. There are solid reasons to believe that Amazon MGM will handle the Bond legacy respectfully, even without the Broccoli family’s guiding hands.

Is franchise expansion such a left-field idea? While some cinephiles might dread the notion of Bond ditching theaters for TV, expanding the universe makes sense. Bond himself has stayed relatively unchanged over the years—spare Daniel Craig’s more recent portrayals—but supporting characters like Q, M, Moneypenny, and Felix Leiter often present more dynamic development opportunities.

Imagine a series where Q steps outside the lab to use his own gadgets, or Felix deals with the fallout of Bond’s escapades in the U.S. The Bond universe brims with compelling villains and side characters, teasing endless possibilities for spinoffs and anthology series. And seriously, who hasn’t wondered about Jaws’ backstory?

A TV series could explore Bond’s character in depth, something films have rarely tackled. Aside from a few on-screen injuries, Bond is almost superhuman, his identity interchanging like a Time Lord’s. The Craig films allowed glimpses of vulnerability, but the depth often boiled down to personal losses or aging woes.

Look at Skyfall, arguably Bond’s magnum opus because it placed him in emotional crosshairs and pushed the narrative forward. Most films reset after a crescendo, but imagine watching those arcs unfold over an entire season. The odds of getting multiple seasons on par with Skyfall are slim, but striving towards that ambition could lead to exceptional storytelling.

On the flip side, Amazon might stray from the obvious action path and foray into Bond’s origins, akin to how The Rings of Power taps into the lore of Lord of the Rings with mixed results. Shows like Pennyworth, despite being quirky, highlight the potential confusion with prequels that fans never knew they wanted.

The real challenge lies in ensuring Bond retains its unique identity amid expanding platforms. The charm of Bond films combines explosive action with familiar plot comforts, elements that TV is closing in on. For Amazon to fashion Bond into a cross-platform juggernaut, they must preserve the essence that makes Bond special. If they crack the code and perhaps expand the support characters, we might see not an end, but a new beginning for 007.