For decades, James Bond has been synonymous with the spy genre, producing some of cinema’s most iconic films. With legendary actors such as Sean Connery, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig playing the role of 007, the franchise has grossed an impressive $7.8 billion ($20 billion when adjusted for inflation) to date.
Previously under Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), everything changed when Amazon MGM acquired full creative control after the producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson opted to step down. Given the franchise’s commercial success, this change seems rather unexpected. So, what does this shift mean for the franchise in the long run? And could we be looking at a different 007 in the coming years?
An Expanded ‘James Bond’ Universe With Opportunities for Spinoffs
So far, James Bond projects have been classified as Eon and Non-Eon films, with only Casino Royale (1967) and Never Say Never Again (1983) falling into the latter category. Although every new addition to the franchise has been fairly successful, with Daniel Craig’s films, in particular, doing very well at the box office, it won’t be long until this formulaic approach leads to franchise fatigue.
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To address this looming issue, Amazon MGM may decide to create spinoffs by focusing on some of the most beloved characters, such as Miss Moneypenny, Felix Leiter, and Q. These could either be made into series or films so that their origins could be explored in more detail, but regardless, the creative freedom of Amazon certainly allows James Bond to further extend its universe, whether that’s a good or bad thing.
A Transition From Theatrical ‘James Bond’ Releases to Streaming Is Highly Possible
The latest move with the 007 franchise also raises concerns about a potential shift from cinemas to streaming, diverting loyal fans of the franchise to the Prime Video subscription service. Franchises such as Mr. and Mrs. Smith and Reacher are great instances of this, since both have received TV treatment and achieved monumental success by providing audiences with something unique.
In an age where entertainment is at our fingertips, Amazon would definitely try to capitalize on the opportunity to expand its consumer base, and while theatrical releases would likely still be part of the equation, they could be made available on the streaming service shortly thereafter rather than later.
How These Changes May Impact the Long-Running ‘James Bond’ Franchise
Given these potential changes, the James Bond franchise seems to be at a crossroads. On the one hand, an expanded universe would engage fans in a more creative way, but on the other, excessive spinoffs may lead to burnout. Over the years, the James Bond films have thrived on their careful planning, offering several iterations of the iconic British character without oversaturating the market. If Amazon leans into expansion, there will be many more spinoffs, some of which could be vital, while others may not be as significant (but produced with the intention of milking the IP).
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It likely won’t appeal to the majority of audiences, particularly if the installments are frequent, as it could lead to fatigue, even more so if the quality of scripts deteriorates. The fate of the James Bond franchise now rests in Amazon’s hands, and it remains to be seen whether the company will exploit ownership to prioritize content volume above legacy. After all, while fans love a good Bond story, too much of a good thing (like we’ve seen with the Star Wars franchise) could quickly devalue the property. The most recent film in the franchise, No Time to Die, is available to rent on Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play.
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