In a move that has sent ripples through both Hollywood and the British film industry, Amazon MGM Studios has quietly taken the reins of one of cinema’s most iconic properties: the James Bond franchise. According to recent earnings filings from EON Productions, the long-standing stewards of 007, the deal was finalized on February 20, 2025, though it remained under wraps for more than a month before making headlines. The terms, as revealed by EON’s UK earnings report, show that Amazon MGM Studios paid a $20 million initial sum for its stake in the franchise—a figure that, at first glance, seems modest compared to the billion-dollar rumors that swirled when talks first emerged.
The fine print, however, tells a more nuanced story. As Deadline reported, the $20 million is just the opening act in a much larger joint venture between Amazon and EON Productions, the company controlled by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli. Amazon now holds the majority stake, but EON is set to receive further compensation over time, likely in forms that could include stock options and revenue participation. This arrangement ensures that the Broccoli family, whose creative vision has guided Bond for decades, remains a key player in the franchise’s future.
For those who have followed the Bond saga, the involvement of EON’s subsidiaries—B24 Limited and B25 Limited—adds another layer of intrigue. These special-purpose vehicles were responsible for producing the last two Bond films, Spectre and No Time to Die. Both subsidiaries are now included in the assets transferred to Amazon MGM Studios, further cementing Amazon’s creative control. As EON’s earnings note put it, “On 20 February 2025, the company entered into an agreement for the sale of its interest in the Bond franchise, all associated assets as well as its subsidiary companies, B24 Limited and B25 Limited. The total consideration for the sale amounted to $20 million (USD).”
The timing of the deal is just as noteworthy as its structure. The transaction’s completion in February came during a period of transition for EON Productions. The company’s 2024 revenue stood at £12.1 million (about $16.3 million USD), a significant drop of £10 million from the previous year. Still, EON managed to post a pre-tax profit of £1.5 million, rebounding from a loss of £1.2 million in 2023. The contrast is even starker when compared to 2021, when EON’s revenue soared to £235 million on the back of No Time to Die, Daniel Craig’s swan song as the legendary British spy.
But EON Productions is not just resting on its Bond laurels. The company is also developing a reboot of the beloved Dick Van Dyke family classic Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, once again in partnership with Amazon MGM Studios. As of December 2024, acclaimed director Matthew Warchus (Matilda: The Musical) was attached to helm the project, with Enda Walsh (Small Things Like These) handling script duties. This signals a broader creative collaboration between EON and Amazon beyond the world of espionage and martinis.
Meanwhile, Amazon MGM Studios is wasting no time charting a new course for Bond. The studio has tapped Denis Villeneuve, the visionary behind Dune, to direct the next installment in the franchise. Heavyweight producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman are also on board, bringing considerable star power and experience to the project. According to Deadline, Villeneuve will kick off the search for a new Bond actor in 2026, with a clear mandate: find a fresh, distinctly British face to inherit the mantle of 007. This approach hints at a desire to rejuvenate the franchise, steering it in bold new directions while staying true to its roots.
For fans and industry watchers alike, the deal marks a turning point. Amazon’s acquisition of creative control over James Bond is not just a business transaction—it’s a cultural event. The move underscores Amazon MGM Studios’ ambitions to become a dominant force in global entertainment, leveraging the enduring appeal of the Bond brand. Yet, by structuring the deal as a joint venture and ensuring EON’s ongoing involvement, Amazon also signals respect for the franchise’s storied legacy and the Broccoli family’s creative stewardship.
The financial details, while eye-catching, are only part of the story. The $20 million initial payment, as multiple sources emphasized, is not the final word on the deal’s value. Instead, it represents the opening salvo in a longer-term arrangement that could see EON compensated in a variety of ways. As one source familiar with the negotiations put it, “Amazon’s deal with EON is structured as a joint venture, and over time the Broccoli company is going to get paid.” For EON, this means continued influence over Bond’s creative direction, as well as a share in the franchise’s future financial success.
The secrecy surrounding the transaction—completed in February but kept under wraps for weeks—reflects the high stakes and sensitivities involved. With a property as globally recognized as James Bond, every detail matters, from the choice of director and leading man to the terms of ownership and creative control. Amazon’s decision to keep the deal quiet until all the pieces were in place speaks to the careful choreography required to manage both business interests and fan expectations.
For EON Productions, the deal comes at a moment of both challenge and opportunity. The dip in revenue in 2024, following the blockbuster success of No Time to Die in 2021, underscores the cyclical nature of the film business—especially for a company so closely tied to a single franchise. Yet, the partnership with Amazon MGM Studios opens up new avenues for growth, not just with Bond but with other properties like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The company’s ability to rebound from a loss in 2023 to a profit in 2024 suggests resilience and adaptability, qualities that will serve it well as it navigates this new chapter.
Looking ahead, all eyes will be on Denis Villeneuve and his team as they embark on the search for the next James Bond. The emphasis on finding a “fresh, British face” signals a commitment to both tradition and reinvention—a delicate balance that has defined the franchise for more than six decades. With Amazon MGM Studios now holding the keys to the kingdom, and EON Productions still very much in the driver’s seat, the future of 007 promises to be as thrilling and unpredictable as any Bond adventure.
As the dust settles on this blockbuster deal, one thing is clear: James Bond is entering a new era, shaped by both legacy and innovation. The world will be watching to see where the famous spy goes next—and who will be holding the Walther PPK.
