At the CinemaCon in Las Vegas, the new owners of Amazon MGM Studios met with movie theater owners to discuss the future of the James Bond franchise. They are preparing to take the iconic spy character in a new direction.
Studio executives Courtney Valenti and Sue Kroll, speaking at an event at Caesars Palace, outlined their goal of delivering a new experience for audiences while preserving the character’s rich legacy.
At the event, it was announced that they had teamed up with Amy Pascal and David Heyman for the new Bond film. Valenti said the two producers had begun work in London and were looking forward to working together.
Earlier this year, longtime producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli stepped away from the franchise, handing over creative responsibilities to Amazon MGM. The move was made possible by a joint venture between the three parties, which would allow for co-ownership of the property.
Since Amazon acquired MGM for $8.5 billion in 2021, they have had the distribution rights to the James Bond films. However, with their 50% stake in the franchise, they have not had full control over artistic decisions.
After Daniel Craig said goodbye to the role of Bond with the film "No Time to Die", there has been much speculation about the next steps. Now, with the arrival of Pascal and Heyman, it seems that there is a possibility of clarity in that direction.
The pair were chosen by the newly appointed head of Amazon MGM Film, Courtney Valenti, under the leadership of Mike Hopkins.
"James Bond is one of the greatest characters in the history of cinema. We are honored to continue the legacy established by Wilson and Broccoli"
Pascal and Heyman said in a joint statement. They are excitedly preparing for Bond's next adventure, which promises to captivate audiences around the world.