JAMES BOND Producers Shut Down Amazon's Plans For MONEYPENNY And Female 007 Before Giving Up Creative Control

JAMES BOND Producers Shut Down Amazon's Plans For MONEYPENNY And Female 007 Before Giving Up Creative Control

For better or worse, the James Bond franchise is now in the hands of Amazon. A new bombshell report sheds light on how the deal came to be and the company's spin-off plans that were shot down by producers.

By JoshWilding - Mar 07, 2025 01:03 PM EST
Filed Under: James Bond
Source: THR (via ActioNewz.com)

Last month, Hollywood was left reeling when the news broke that longtime James Bond franchise producers Michael Wilson and Barbara Broccoli had decided to relinquish creative control of the iconic property to Amazon. 

The company acquired 007 when it purchased MGM for a whopping $8.5 billion, and while Amazon gained countless franchises in the deal, Bond was easily the biggest draw. The only problem for them was that Wilson and Broccoli weren't looking to launch an MCU-style slate of movies and TV shows and had the final say on the character's portrayal.

As The Hollywood Reporter explains (via ActioNewz.com), Wilson has stepped back from producing and Broccoli has seemingly grown tired of fighting. Offered $1 billion to walk away, they've left Bond in the hands of Amazon, news which has led to a lot of concerns among the character's fans. 

In the trade's in-depth look at the deal, it's revealed that Amazon approached the producers with several ideas. None of those struck a chord with them and, so far, they've been slated by fans on social media. 

"Broccoli and Wilson were said to be nervous about the sale of the nearly 100-year-old studio to the 21st century tech conglomerate, but they knew that even under new management they’d retain creative control. Amazon knew that too, but executives there — like Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video, and Jennifer Salke, head of Amazon Studios — apparently believed they could sweet talk the Broccolis into expanding the brand beyond the single Bond film EON had been putting out every two or three years."

"Still, Amazon had ideas. Sources close to the franchise say the streamer approached the Broccolis with pitches for a TV series based on Moneypenny, the MI6 secretary who’s been batting eyes at Bond since Sean Connery’s days, as well as a show about Bond CIA buddy Felix Leiter, and maybe even something involving a female 007. Predictably, Broccoli and Wilson weren’t interested."

There's really no call for a Moneypenny TV series or the other spin-offs mentioned. Amazon, however, believes expanding the property is the best way to make back its investment and the future of the franchise appears uncertain. 

That's currently the case with the main film series, anyway, as the trade explains, "Zero progress had been made in getting 007 back onscreen. There’s no script for the next movie, no director and - most critically - no Bond. Sources say Amazon had suggested a few actors, but none the Broccolis would sign off on."

It seems this landmark deal goes back to last December when The Wall Street Journal published a story revealing that Broccoli had described Amazon executives as "f***ing idiots." That soon found its way to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos and one insider reveals, "He read her quote in the Journal and got on the phone and said, 'I don’t care what it costs, get rid of her.'"

Jeff Sneider, meanwhile, has heard that veteran Harry Potter producer David Heyman could be a top contender to oversee Bond for Amazon. If so, it sounds like he may enlist Gravity and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban director Alfonso Cuarón to helm the next movie.

Bond now belongs to Amazon and Bezos, considered a real-life James Bond villain by some, is in full control of where 007 goes from here...for better or worse. 

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Wahhvacado
Wahhvacado - 3/7/2025, 1:25 PM
Sounds absolutely for the best. I do not see those project making a healthy return and would likely suffer losses
Usernametaken
Usernametaken - 3/7/2025, 1:28 PM
@Wahhvacado - you do understand that now Amazon can make those projects right?
Wahhvacado
Wahhvacado - 3/7/2025, 1:30 PM
@Usernametaken - I did misread the headline, good call out.

Regardless I don't see those shows hitting a broad enough market to be profitable and it would be stupid for them to do it
Apophis71
Apophis71 - 3/7/2025, 1:40 PM
@Wahhvacado - Unsure if they could be a hit or not but with good writers I see no reason why a series for a female 007 and/or Felix couldn't be good. Keep the films being James Bond but whilst retired they did/would still use the designation 007 so for a series could be great or follow one of the other 00's if wanting to fully avoid 7 being anyone other than James again. Then when the next film is ready their series version of Felix and 0069 or whatever could have supporting roles to the new Bond.
ThorArms
ThorArms - 3/7/2025, 1:42 PM
@Wahhvacado - Well, now they'll probably happen. Amazon will squeeze 007 for all he's worth
Wahhvacado
Wahhvacado - 3/7/2025, 2:02 PM
@Apophis71 - I'm not arguing against the possibility of it haven't the capability to be good. I'm all for more quality content.

I just don't see it drawing a large enough audience in for it to be worth it for Amazon to do
Wahhvacado
Wahhvacado - 3/7/2025, 2:06 PM
@ThorArms - It's possible, Amazon has put out good content fairly consistently I just don't see it drawing in big viewership numbers
Usernametaken
Usernametaken - 3/7/2025, 2:08 PM
@Wahhvacado - Sadly, I think they are stupid enough.

@Apophis71 - James Bond has already 27 movies, it's hard enough to make more of those and reach the quality of the best ones. Trying to make spin-offs would just dilute the IP.

This is not Star wars or the MCU, this is just a movie series about a secret service agent.

It would be like trying to make spin offs of Mission Impossible or Indiana Jones . If your spin-off is in the same genre, then you'd better put those ideas into the main movies, and if your spin off is in another genre, then just make it a new IP.

Spin off almost never works unless and they usually are more like legacy sequels to a franchise that already reached its end (for example Creed or Fantastic Beasts)


So no, no to anything beside the main bond franchise, and they better focus on doing that first anyway. It's going to take years and at least 2 movies to create a solid basis.
MakeAmericaGrea
MakeAmericaGrea - 3/7/2025, 2:10 PM
@Wahhvacado -

"I did misread the headline, good call out.

Regardless I don't see those shows hitting a broad enough market to be profitable and it would be stupid for them to do it."

Nice. 🙂
Apophis71
Apophis71 - 3/7/2025, 2:16 PM
@Wahhvacado - WHY I say keep the films James Bond, what they try and do with a series canon to the new Bond's world don't care and if good why not, lol.
Apophis71
Apophis71 - 3/7/2025, 2:26 PM
@Usernametaken - IP dilution is always a potential issue (if too many and not good) but interconnected stories of other agents such a Felix or for instance one of the Russian female spies don't see why not IF well done IF only series' if they keep to the films only being James Bond and at least a few years between each film.
Wahhvacado
Wahhvacado - 3/7/2025, 2:30 PM
@Apophis71 - World building is definitely good if done right. I'd at least want an established 007 show for a bit before they go down different avenues, that could also help generate interest in a spin off project.

I do agree with another user that if they are focusing on another character other than James Bond, it should have a different number. Who knows with Amazon in control maybe he'll cross over with Reacher and Jack Ryan
SuperiorHeckler
SuperiorHeckler - 3/7/2025, 4:23 PM
@Usernametaken - If you read how the the headline is written: "JAMES BOND Producers Shut Down Amazon's Plans For MONEYPENNY And Female 007..." It gives the impression that Mike and Barbara coaxed an agreement from Amazon to NOT spin-off multiple "content" streaming-series and NOT to ever usher-in a female Bond before agreeing to sign the franchise over. But, as you said, Amazon can do EXACTLY those things now. 🤨
Usernametaken
Usernametaken - 3/7/2025, 4:39 PM
@SuperiorHeckler - Yeah, to me it looks like Amazon wasn't greenlighting anything the Broccolis wanted for a new Bond movie because the Broccolis were refusing the "Bond-verse" Amazon wanted.

It was a stalemate until Amazon wrote a big fat check to take full control. The Broccolis took the chance of having a billion and stop having headaches from constantly fighting amazon for years.

So now, Amazon is free do to whatever they want with the franchise...
EternalMikeHunt
EternalMikeHunt - 3/7/2025, 7:47 PM
@Wahhvacado - Never stopped Disney before.
NonPlayerC
NonPlayerC - 3/7/2025, 1:25 PM
I could get behind moneypenny hehe and Felix but it just makes no sense to me to make a female 007. just make a female 008, 009 or any other number. expand other characters or create new ones. No need to annoy people by changing existing characters. We don't need more multiverse things
Itwasme
Itwasme - 3/7/2025, 1:31 PM
@NonPlayerC - there's long been a prevailing theory that 007 and James Bond are names assigned to otherwise nameless agents. Its a weird way to make it all kind of cannon. The books weren't like that, but the movies aren't really like the books.
Apophis71
Apophis71 - 3/7/2025, 1:48 PM
@Itwasme - Not so much the name, but the numbers have always been considered re-useable such that if 002 was killed in a Bond film another 002 with a differing name could appear down the line hence why able to have non-Bonds be 007 prior to James or whilst retired/rogue.

That said the parody (the 1967 Casino Royale) had the concept that they gave others a codename of James Bond and the idea that could be a concept extended to canon films after the last film did gain traction (prior to the recent ones his entire history was always the same no matter which actor in the role).
NonPlayerC
NonPlayerC - 3/7/2025, 1:52 PM
@Itwasme - I get what you are saying, it's a mantle like captain America. id assume they wouldn't go as far as make Jane bond but still, they've got literally an infinite number of numbers they can give as a code name. I feel like they would do James the honor of retiring his number after all he's done lol
NonPlayerC
NonPlayerC - 3/7/2025, 1:55 PM
@Apophis71 - was there a 007 before bond? if so I will accept your argument... begrudgingly
Apophis71
Apophis71 - 3/7/2025, 2:14 PM
@NonPlayerC - In the books yes, not much is stated about them that I recall but for instance in the book On her Majesty's Secret Service a 007 is mentioned as having taken over the same 007 codename after a prior holder had died.

In films I am fairly certain at one point or another when he was retired there were others who were 007 referenced but uncertain and did re-use the other numbers often even after a prior one had been killed and supposed to all be canon to each other.

Point being mainly however, yes in the books the 00' codenames were stated as re-used when a prior agent died/retired including 007 so is source precedent for it
NonPlayerC
NonPlayerC - 3/7/2025, 2:16 PM
@Apophis71 - well call me begrudged sir
Apophis71
Apophis71 - 3/7/2025, 3:57 PM
@NonPlayerC - Why I thought it was funny folk taking issues with Nomi being given Bond's codename when he retired and worked for the CIA in the last film, it was always true to the books that that kind of thing would occur and as long as the film still had the focus on James why should it matter :D

If enough had liked Nomi they could have opted to keep the narrative going rather than a reboot and shift focus to her instead, but reboot with a new James was always more likely (certainly whilst Barbara Broccoli was still in control).
SuperiorHeckler
SuperiorHeckler - 3/7/2025, 4:27 PM
@Itwasme - Yes. That's a fan theory and it's sh*t in my opinion. Bond is an 'evergreen character'. Regardless of the era or the generation, it is ALWAYS James Bond and not simply a legacy name/title to be passed around like some cheap tart. 🤨
Astroman
Astroman - 3/7/2025, 7:47 PM
@Itwasme - as I believe you realize that theory is just nonsense. It was started by internet clowns wishing for a female or non-white Bond. The 00 designator can change, so you could have a female, black, whatever 007, but James Bond is his name per the novels.
Itwasme
Itwasme - 3/7/2025, 8:29 PM
@Astroman - it's been a rumor since the first Casino Royale since it was used then. It's nothing new. I'm not advocating one way or the other, but merely stating this has been a notion to tie all the films together since they first cast Lazenby.

Plus it's not like the movies have ever accurately portrayed the character from the books. They don't look or act like the Bond in the books. The movies tend to go for suave, not the kind of guy you'd be worried about running into in a dark alley. No scars, none of that. I'd love to see that version of Bond, and if we don't I could care less if it's a person of color or a woman. They are taking liberties already.
Slotherin
Slotherin - 3/8/2025, 3:41 AM
@NonPlayerC - your willingness to pivot with new info is admirable.
asherman93
asherman93 - 3/7/2025, 1:26 PM
[frick] you Bezos.
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 3/7/2025, 1:29 PM
Yeah , I think we already knew they would want spin-offs but as of now I think it’s useless to talk about those when we don’t even have a Bond yet…

If this was still the Daniel Craig era , the only spinoff I would be interested in would have been a Nomi & Paloma team up but since it’s not then let’s wait to launch the new JB before thinking about spinoffs for a version of a character that doesn’t exist yet nor have you seen the reception to them.

User Comment Image

David Heyman though being in contention for the role of the Bond overseer could be good due to him already having successful franchises such as Harry Potter & The Paddington series under his belt but films like Wonka and OUATIH aswell.
Apophis71
Apophis71 - 3/7/2025, 3:45 PM
@TheVisionary25 - If it was a series soon enough after No Time to Die a spinoff with Nomi and Moneypenny and/or Paloma could have worked with the same actors. As more time goes by chances that would be the way they went dwindles and more likely they will want to go FULL reboot with Bond films potentialy going back to first becoming an MI6 agent rather than continue the narrative from the Daniel Craig films.
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 3/7/2025, 3:50 PM
@Apophis71 - oh definitely

It’s not happening now I feel.
mountainman
mountainman - 3/7/2025, 1:29 PM
If Amazon turns Bond into a universe with endless spinoffs, they are going to destroy the IP.

And no female Bond. If you want a female spy movie, create a new character.
RolandD
RolandD - 3/7/2025, 2:06 PM
@mountainman - User Comment Image
Huskers
Huskers - 3/7/2025, 1:30 PM
Broccoli already butchered the character. There’s 3 things the character should never do, get married, have kids, and die, which is what we got. Unless of course it’s tragic and ends with the bride being gunned down right after the wedding and dying in Bond’s arms proving that men like him aren’t meant to have families.
Apophis71
Apophis71 - 3/7/2025, 4:04 PM
@Huskers - Bond knowingly having a Kid, no, but the amount of women he fricked and never saw a condom package ever odds of an illigitamate kid always seemed fairly high to me (actualy showing he had one is a whole other matter course).

Married was only ever something he should do if retiring, her then killed and opting to return to active duty as a result was always fair.
Usernametaken
Usernametaken - 3/7/2025, 4:41 PM
@Huskers - I think we have Daniel Craig to thank for that, he's the one who put those demands to return as Bond one last time.
Scarilian
Scarilian - 3/7/2025, 1:31 PM
Just make a good James Bond movie first.

If you want to do a different race/sex spy character, then have them be a different 00 character or working from a different division to help further explore the universe. This can add a level of intrigue and allow for them to stand alone as their own character as opposed to risking brand damage or backlash from them taking the mantle of James Bond.

If you want to explore a supporting character, you establish them first in the James Bond movie and then explore them later IF it's clear that fans want to see more of that character.

They know this, so just do it already. Stop making moronic business decisions that you know will cause backlash and kill your franchises.

Personally, I think they'll go 'Young James Bond' in order to try and maximize the time that an actor is in the role along with trying to hit the young adult demographic - which I'd be 'ok' with as long as they don't waste all the main antagonists so quickly. There's a lot you can do with James Bond.
Steel86
Steel86 - 3/7/2025, 1:34 PM
I'm not a fan of the idea of the 007 being a manicure for anyone. I would mutch rather a female spy in the same British Secret Service that can forge her own path.
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 3/7/2025, 1:43 PM
@Steel86 - hence the Moneypenny spinoff I guess

Perhaps the Felix one could work too depending on the tone.
Apophis71
Apophis71 - 3/7/2025, 1:59 PM
@TheVisionary25 - Yeh I do tend to prefer the idea they use another number if wanting a differing character in the role unless they opted to keep Bond dead and keep going with the recent films. That way someone else could thus take over as 007 I guess but they should NOT be called Bond if so.

I would prefer if anything they did a prequel, say having a pre-Bond secret agent and if female is from the French resistance. They could even use that to relaunch a new James having her save Commander Bond whilst still in the Navy then after the series in the first film she dies at the start and James takes over her designation with his first mission to uncover how she died and finish her mission.

If it would have enough interest as a series, unsure, but I'd say with films they should stick with ONLY James Bond as 007, series if good see no reason why not try something different.
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