Will Amazon/MGM now strip mine the James Bond franchise?

ChiroDoc

ChiroDoc

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Probably most of us recall in 1962 when James Bond (Sean Connery) first ignited the screen as he battled the forces of Dr. Julius No. We were wowed by Honey Ryder (Ursula Andress), but hoped that Miss Moneypenny (Lois Maxwell) would somehow land 007. From that time on we anxiously awaited the next Bond film. And since Daniel Craig has exited as Bond after No Time to Die (2021) there has been rampant speculation of who, and in what form, the next Bond film would take.

But just a few days ago Bond fans were rocked by the news that Amazon/MGM has acquired the artistic rights to the 007 franchise from Barbara Broccoli and Michal Wilson. Why the alarm? Because if the recent history of corporate dilution of other franchises is any indicator, the mammoth corporation might kill the goose's golden egg by commercial over production and expansion. Hold your breath, folks.....

Branded, Not Stirred: Now That the James Bond Series Is Controlled by Amazon MGM, Is It Set to Become…Content?
 

I haven't been able to finish a Bond flick in decades. The early ones were good, but get far too much praise as "great" in my opinion. Schlock with high production values at their best, with very thin and repetitive stories loosely based on the pulps they sprang from.

This smells more of some leftover MGM deal than anything else.

But it really seems like a lack of creativity and vision, the same thing that has mined and dumbed down numerous franchises to crank out 'memberberries. Or perhaps they know the audience (see Idiocracy).
 
Yes I saw that they are considering other Bond projects, perhaps even a series. Talking about watering things down. For me, Sean Connery was Bond...period...even though I did see a couple of the films with others playing the part. I doubt I'd watch a Bond series.
 

I read about 7 of the Ian Fleming novels. Sean Connery was not like the Bond in the books. The only film that was like the novels was On Her Majesty's Secret Service.

The Daniel Craig movies aren't even James Bond. All I can figure is that they were targeting the ADHD youth of today.

Remember when spy movies were about espionage? The Ipcress File, The Spy Who Came in From The Cold, Where Eagles Dare. These movies were much more engaging than any of the Bond movies.

i even enjoy Tom Cruise's MI movies strictly for the action.
 
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ChiroDoc said:
Probably most of us recall in 1962 when James Bond (Sean Connery) first ignited the screen as he battled the forces of Dr. Julius No. We were wowed by Honey Ryder (Ursula Andress), but hoped that Miss Moneypenny (Lois Maxwell) would somehow land 007. From that time on we anxiously awaited the next Bond film. And since Daniel Craig has exited as Bond after No Time to Die (2021) there has been rampant speculation of who, and in what form, the next Bond film would take.

But just a few days ago Bond fans were rocked by the news that Amazon/MGM has acquired the artistic rights to the 007 franchise from Barbara Broccoli and Michal Wilson. Why the alarm? Because if the recent history of corporate dilution of other franchises is any indicator, the mammoth corporation might kill the goose's golden egg by commercial over production and expansion. Hold your breath, folks.....

Branded, Not Stirred: Now That the James Bond Series Is Controlled by Amazon MGM, Is It Set to Become…Content?
Click to expand...
As far as I'm concerned there were only two believable Bonds. Connery and Craig.

All the others were a bad joke - and an insult to the Bond character itself.
 
Yes tend to agree - I first saw Craig many many moons ago in a small piece part in a British series called Heartbeat. it was a very small part and inconsequential - I was indeed amazed to see him many moons later as Bond and initially was not impressed at all - and letting him near the Queen was for me palpable suicidal insult!! - never seen him in full tilt in a bond movie and don't really feel inclined to - he is a midget compared to Connery and just doesn't have the charm; flair or height??
 
For sure, I was always a Sean Connery man for Bond.
But in 2006's Casino Royale (Daniel Craig's first), the 9-minute opening foot chase scene was not only phenomenally well done and heart pounding exciting, but it initiated a new kind of Bond-- a highly athletic, no nonsense dangerous Bond. From that stunning opening, on thru the next 4 James Bond films, I was impressed with Craig's character.

I hope they pick the next Bond with restraint and fealty to the traditional character.
 
As soon as he appears - he just doesn't seem to have enough height to carry the part?
 
I owned all 6 Bond movies starring Connery on DVD. Goldfinger was my favorite. I mean, Oddjob crushed a golf ball with his bare hand and cut the head off a statue with his bowler. C'mon! That's great cinema.

"Do you expect me to talk?"

"No, Mr. Bond, I expect you to die."

I did plow through all the other Bond movies, just to be able to say I've seen them all, but Connery is Bond. End of story.
 

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