‘James Bond’ producer Barbara Broccoli puts brakes on Amazon plans for female Bond
James Bond producer Barbara Broccoli has reportedly informed Amazon executives that their plans for a spinoff female 007 TV series will not have her blessing.
Broccoli is the sole owner of all James Bond rights—including spinoffs—after she acquired them from her late father, Albert ‘Cubby’ Broccoli. While Broccoli holds the franchise’s approval rights, Amazon secured the production and distribution rights after purchasing them from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studio for $8.5 billion, the Wall Street Journal noted.
WSJ sources claimed that Amazon’s plans for the franchise include a female-led TV spinoff series that put Miss Moneypenny, the secretary of MI6 spy chief M, as the story lead.
But Broccoli has made her stance clear, confirming to the studios that she will want no association with that creative direction and was reported as claiming “These people are f***ing idiots,” when talking about Amazon executives.
In the fallout, Broccoli is now threatening to hold any progression of the film “hostage”, according to sources.
The journal continued to report that while Broccoli is firmly against the idea of a female bond, she was more open to having a gay or nonwhite take on the role. However, within those parameters, she set out a clear framework for Bond to remain a man and a Brit.
Back in 2021, Broccoli confirmed her stance of the aforementioned matter, telling The Hollywood Reporter: “I think [the next James Bond] will be a man because I don’t think a woman should play James Bond,” she continued, “I believe in making characters for women and not just having women play men’s roles”.
Never Miss A Scene
The Far Out Film Newsletter
All the latest film news from the independent voice of culture.
Straight to your inbox.