Following Amazon’s takeover ofJames Bond,Reacherauthor Lee Child makes the case that it’s a positive thing for the franchise. After more than six decades under the control of the Broccoli family, 007 experienced a major shakeup last week when it was confirmed that producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson were ceding control of the franchise to Amazon.Amazon purchasedBonddistributor MGM in 2022, but this latest development solidifies its control over all things 007, including the creative direction of the franchise. The move has been a controversial one, to say the least.
In an interview with the BBC, perThe Times, Child, whoseJack Reachernovels have been turned into a successful TV show on Prime Video, argues that Amazon taking control ofBondcould help to push the franchise in the right direction. According to the author, 007 is in dire need of a change:
“The concept is dated and it needs a shake-up. It needs refreshing. And the people that were looking after it before are just worn out. And so new blood,new energy is going to be good for it."
Child also shares that he thinks Amazon taking control will lead to spinoffs and TV shows, and that this expansion of the franchise also won’t be a bad thing:
“I’m sure that will happen, because what Amazon likes to do if they get a hit,they want to dominate the entire year with it. And so we can imagine a big Bond production once every few years, and then a lot of Bond origin stories [and] a Miss Moneypenny spin-off.”
The final reason why this change in ownership will be a net positive for the franchise, Child argues, is that Amazon’s deep pockets mean the next actor to play the iconic British spy doesn’t necessarily need to be an A-lister:
“It doesn’t have to be a huge star, because Amazon is the platform. It’s a different financial dynamic. The star doesn’t have to bring the funding. And so it can be anybody.”
What Child’s Comments Mean For James Bond
Why Amazon’s Takeover Hasn’t Been Widely Celebrated
Now, it’s worth reiterating thatChild has a successful working relationship with Amazon as part of the ongoingReachershow, which is important context for his comments onBond. It seems unlikely that he would bad-mouth the company currently adapting his novels (and which shows no signs of slowing down on these adaptations followingReacherseason 3).
Reacherseason 4 is already confirmed to be on the way and there are 25 more books in Child’s novel series that could be adapted next. So far, the show has been very warmly received.
There is something to Child’s comments aboutBondneeding a creative shakeup, though. From what’s been reported thus far, Broccoli and Wilson had made almost no progress on theannouncedJames Bond 26prior to Amazon taking control, asthey weren’t sure where to take the franchise after 2021’sNo Time To Die. The character of Bond has previously been criticized as being misogynistic (including byReacherstar Alan Ritchson), and this was something that the later Daniel Craig 007 movies attempted to fix.
Predicting Amazon’s James Bond Movies & TV Shows
Now that Amazon has acquired creative control of the James Bond franchise, we’re in for plenty of spin-offs and side projects in the future.
Child’s statement about Amazon makingBondspinoffs and origin stories is also notable because this is exactly why company’s takeover has been divisive. The Broccolis were never interested in the idea of making aBondcinematic universe, but it’s widely expected that this is what Amazon will do. As for Child’s thoughts on a non-A-lister taking over after Craig, this would fit with how previous Bonds were selected, but Amazon bossJeff Bezos asking users on Xwho should be next to play 007 certainly hasn’t given the impression that the company will be taking this approach.
Our Take On Child’s James Bond Comments
There Are Pros & Cons To Amazon’s Takeoever
After the explosiveending ofNo Time To Die, it does seem like the franchise needs a fresh start with some new ideas, and Amazon taking control could help to usher in a much-needed new era.The idea of diluting the franchise with endless spinoffs and TV shows, however, is less appealingbecause it will make each new movie feel less like a special event. For now, it’s hard to say exactly what will become ofJames Bondunder Amazon, but not all are sure to share Child’s enthusiasm.
