“How expensive is it for one of the world’s largest tech companies to secure control of the world’s most famous spy? About $20 million. In February, Amazon announced that it had struck a deal with Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, the longtime stewards of the James Bond franchise, to give the tech company full”, — write: www.hollywoodreporter.com
In February, Amazon announced that it had struck a deal with Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, the longtime stewards of the James Bond franchise, to give the tech company full control over the character and its related intellectual property.
Now a new tax filing for EON Productions in the UK puts a number on that sale price, and it is significantly lower than what many observers may have thought. While the filing focuses on the company’s 2024 financials, a section on subsequent events notes that:
“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).”
Of course, as revealed in the initial deal, the Broccoli family will continue to have economic exposure to the Bond franchise through the joint venture structure of the deal. It is also possible that there are other elements like earnings or stock options that could impact the value of the final sale price. Sources said at the time that the total value could be closer to $1 billion.
A spokesperson for Amazon declined to comment on the filing.
The original deal was a stunner, with the Broccoli family controlling Bond for decades, albeit with Amazon MGM as a financial partner. The decision became the talk of Hollywood for weeks, wondering what it means about the family’s future in the business, and Amazon’s ambitions as it hunts for top-shelf IP.
The tech company subsequently hired Amy Pascal and David Heyman to help shepherd the new film, and brought it on Dune director Denis Villeneuve to helm the next installment.
As for what Broccoli and Wilson and EON have in store, well that is also in the new filing:
“Looking ahead, a significant strategic shift is anticipated following the post-year-end sale of the Group’s interest in the Bond franchise, subsidiaries and related assets,” the filing states. “This divestment marks a significant change in the Group’s direction. The core focus going forward will be the continued investment in smaller-scale films and independent productions.”