Daniel Craig Responds to Amazon MGM Taking Control of James Bond Franchise – Hollywood Reporter

Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood ReporterSubscribe for full access to The Hollywood ReporterThe studio will form a new joint venture with producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli to house the series’ intellectual property rights.
By

Ryan Gajewski
Senior Entertainment Reporter
Daniel Craig is sharing his praise for producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli after news broke that the pair have passed creative control of the James Bond franchise to Amazon MGM Studios.
“My respect, admiration and love for Barbara and Michael remain constant and undiminished,” Craig said in a statement shared with The Hollywood Reporter. “I wish Michael a long, relaxing (and well-deserved) retirement and whatever ventures Barbara goes on to do, I know they will be spectacular and I hope I can be part of them.”

Craig is the actor to have most recently played the British spy character, having starred in five films in the long-running series: Casino Royale (2006), Quantum of Solace (2008), Skyfall (2012), Spectre (2015) and No Time to Die (2021).

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THR reported earlier Thursday that Amazon MGM Studios will form a new joint venture to house the James Bond intellectual property rights. The studio gains creative control of the franchise in the new deal, while Wilson and Broccoli will continue as co-owners of the property. Amazon acquired MGM in 2022 and has since held the rights to distribute the James Bond movies.
The 83-year-old Wilson said in a statement that he would be stepping back from producing the films to focus on art and philanthropy. He and Broccoli have led creative decision-making for the Bond movies after taking the torch from their father, the late producer Albert “Cubby” Broccoli. The latter was involved in the franchise since its inception that dated back to the Sean Connery-led 1962 release Dr. No, which marked the first Bond feature.
“With the conclusion of No Time to Die and Michael retiring from the films, I feel it is time to focus on my other projects,” Barbara Broccoli said in her own statement.
Fans of the franchise will now look to see Amazon MGM Studios’ future moves, which will include deciding on the next star to don a tux and sip a martini as 007.Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every daySign up for THR news straight to your inbox every daySubscribe for full access to The Hollywood ReporterSend us a tip using our anonymous form.

Source: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/james-bond-daniel-craig-amazon-mgm-1236142286/