Amazon Seizes Control of James Bond Franchise in $20M Deal

In a significant development for the James Bond franchise, Amazon MGM Studios has acquired the rights to the iconic spy series in a $20 million deal. According to an earnings report filed by EON Productions, the company that has long controlled the Bond franchise, the transaction was completed on February 20, 2025.

The report reveals that Amazon MGM Studios paid $20 million (USD) to purchase EON's interest in the Bond franchise, including all associated assets and subsidiary companies. This figure is significantly lower than the $1 billion figure that was initially reported when the deal was first announced.

The acquisition marks a major shift in the future of the James Bond franchise. Amazon MGM Studios has already announced that Denis Villeneuve, the acclaimed director of Dune, will helm the development of the next Bond film. The search for the actor to take on the role of the suave secret agent is expected to begin next year.

EON Productions, the company founded by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, has seen its revenue decline in recent years. The company's earnings report shows that its revenue stood at £12.1 million ($16.3 million) in 2024, down from £235 million in 2021 when the latest Bond film, No Time to Die, was released.

The sale of the Bond franchise rights to Amazon MGM Studios represents a significant shift in the future of the beloved spy series. As the tech giant takes creative control, fans will be eager to see how the new direction will shape the future of James Bond on the big screen.