Amazon Prime Video is reportedly set to massively shake up the James Bond franchise in a way that could prove controversial among fans.
Amazon Studios officially purchased MGM for $8.45billion (£6.7billion) in 2022, with a new agreement over creative control meaning Bond — and whoever is next to play 007 – is entirely under the streamer’s control.
It is a landmark decision as family-run Eon Productions has brought Bond to the big screen since the franchise began.
And there looks to be another big change in the franchise as filming could move to Northern England due to a filming ban in Central London next year, The Sun reports.
A source claims Liverpool could be the new home of the martini-drinking spy, which could ‘irk Bond purists.’
‘This will no doubt irk Bond purists who already fear Amazon taking over the 007 franchise may lead to them making big changes,’ the insider told the outlet.
‘But Liverpool is a well-known alternative to London for filmmakers.
‘It has appeared in everything from The Batman to Captain America and Harry Potter movies, doubling up as international cities.
However, they stressed that this doesn’t mean the narrative for the next Bond film will revolve around Liverpool.
‘The outline of the Liver Building could replace the rooftops of Whitehall, though Merseysiders will no doubt be able to spot their city centre in the background.’
It comes after it was reported bosses have been given a £250,000,000 budget and three years to get the next film on the big screen.
That means we could have a new Bond film by the end of 2027, though we’re still no clearer on who will play the superspy after Daniel Craig stepped down in 2021.
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A source told The Sun: ‘The Bond bosses had already proposed broad plots and reboot ideas.
‘The writers’ rooms are being assembled in the hope of recouping their investment ASAP.’
Until now, the final say on key production issues went to producers and half-siblings Michael and Barbara Broccoli, the children of famed Bond producer Albert ‘Cubby’ Broccoli.
The Amazon studio now owns 50% of the franchise, with Barbara, 64, and Michael, 83, maintaining co-ownership status.
However, creative decisions have been handed over as the siblings look to other projects and Michael takes a step back from filmmaking into retirement.
It has also been reported that the next Bond will be ‘very young’, as shared by actor Daniel Mays.
Metro has contacted representatives for Amazon Studios for comment.
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