Amazon’s acquisition of theJames Bond franchiseincluded a shocking twist. Apparently,Jeff Bezoswanted longtime producerBarbara Broccoliout. The Hollywood Reporter claims that Jeff Bezos, the CEO of Amazon, was adamant on firing007producer Barbara Broccoli and even told his employees that he wanted her gone, regardless of the cost.

Why did Jeff Bezos want Barbara Broccoli gone?

Amazon paid nearly $1 billion for theJames Bondfranchise, and despite the fact that Broccoli inherited it from her father, Albert “Cubby” Broccoli, and her half-brother, Michael G. Wilson, who have been dubbed the franchise’s heart and soul, Bezos refused to let go of some derogatory remarks she allegedly made about his employees—and in his own newspaper.

“Friends” told the WSJ that Broccoli called Amazon executives “idiots” in the Wall Street Journal in December. According to THR, that was the last straw for the billionaire, who instructed his staff to get rid of her at any cost, as quoted in a report by the Daily Beast.

Although Broccoli and Wilson took over and closely led the Bond IP back to success following their father’s death in 1996, theAmazon CEOwas obviously not sentimental about the half-siblings’ management of the property.

Stars, crew, and fans give the siblings credit for 007’s comeback as a movie office success, especially since Daniel Craig‘s appointment as the seventh Bond revitalized the franchise.

Hollywood and its fans were therefore taken aback by the siblings’ sale to Amazon, and many dismissed the possibility of future high-caliber Bond movies after learning of the upheaval.

Although Broccoli was still considered for the position at Amazon, her half-brother Wilson retired, leaving her “on her own,” according to THR, amidst a sea of executives she had referred to as “idiots.”

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What’s next for 007 under Amazon?

Amazon’s vision for 007 differs significantly from the one that the Broccoli and Wilson had for decades, rejecting TV spinoffs and prequels and eschewing the Marvel-like universe that Amazon planned to establish with the characters.

Amazon can do whatever it wants now that Broccoli is out of the way, which already appears to be discouraging top Hollywood talent from ever working on the franchise.

Before the franchise was sold to Amazon, Oscar-winning Conclave filmmaker Edward Berger told Variety that he was “100 percent” interested in directing for it. “I think it’s something different because Barbara Broccoli is at the center of this project, and she is no longer doing it,” he stated.

FAQs

Why did Jeff Bezos want Barbara Broccoli to leave?
According to reports, Broccoli referred to Amazon executives as “idiots,” which enraged Bezos. He then ordered her removal, no matter how much it cost.

What implications does this have for James Bond’s future?
Broccoli opposed Amazon’s plans for prequels and TV spinoffs. Amazon can reshape 007 without her, but many filmmakers and fans are concerned that the quality will suffer.