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In his own words, screenwriter Steven Knight “does legends”. The Peaky Blinders, Taboo, and SAS: Rogue Heroes creator takes elements of real-life history and turns them into swaggering myths. With an ear for an unusual name, and a knack for conjuring flesh-and-blood icons out of historical figures that crop up in newspaper reports and census […]

The post A Thousand Blows True Story: The Real Characters Behind the Historical Drama appeared first on Den of Geek.

In his own words, screenwriter Steven Knight “does legends”. The Peaky Blinders, Taboo, and SAS: Rogue Heroes creator takes elements of real-life history and turns them into swaggering myths.

With an ear for an unusual name, and a knack for conjuring flesh-and-blood icons out of historical figures that crop up in newspaper reports and census columns, Knight has rehabilitated the British working class period drama. He’s taken the gratitude and drudgery out, and written ambition, glamour and modernity in. He made icons out of real-life Birmingham gangsters in Peaky Blinders, and he’s about to do the same with East-End boxers and female thieves The Forty Elephants in new drama A Thousand Blows.

As the six-episode first series (a second has already been filmed) arrives on Disney+ in the UK and Hulu in the US, let’s have an overview of the real history of A Thousand Blows, and some pointers on where you can find out more.

Hezekiah Moscow, Alec Munroe & Sugar Goodson Were All Real

To learn about the real Hezekiah, Alec, Sugar, Treacle and more, go no further than the historical research that inspired A Thousand Blows, conducted by the show’s boxing historian and historical consultant Sarah Elizabeth Cox. First published online in 2019 on her Grappling With History website and currently being expanded into a book, Cox’s findings include photographs, posters, newspaper articles, census entries and more detailing the lives and careers of the real people who inspired the show’s characters. As Cox writes, “A Thousand Blows is not a documentary: the characters and storylines are the creation of a wonderful team of writers, and it is only in little snippets here and there that they cross paths with reality.”

Those crossed-paths with reality include the real existence of a West-Indian immigrant named Hezekiah Moscow, who worked at the East London Aquarium as a bear and lion tamer and competed in various boxing bouts, including at the real Blue Coat Boy pub in Shoreditch, London. His West-Indian trainer and corner man Alec Munroe was also real. There was indeed an East-End fighter nicknamed “Sugar” Goodson – though according to Cox, the real Sugar was thought to have only one eye.

Mary Carr and The Forty Elephants Were a Real Criminal Gang

Speaking to the BBC, A Thousand Blows creator Steven Knight explained how he combined two real-life stories to create the Disney+/Hulu drama. Approached by actor-producers Hannah Walters and Stephen Graham about putting the life of boxer Hezekiah Moscow on screen with their company Matriarch Productions, Knight combined that story with another based in historical fact he’d been wanting to tell – about female thief gang The Forty Elephants.

“A story about a real person who came from Jamaica with an ambition to become a lion tamer and became a really famous boxer? That’s pretty much irresistible.

“And when I dug into it and found out about this person and his experiences, it was very compelling. Before then, for a long time, I’d wanted to tell the story of the Forty Elephants. Both of those true stories are amazing, and the fact is they were both happening at the same time and in the same place. I thought it would be interesting to imagine what would have happened if Mary and Hezekiah had met – and that’s what this show is about.”

Mary Carr was indeed the Queen of the Forty Elephants around the 1880s period in which A Thousand Blows is set, as well as being an artist’s model for painter Frederic Leighton. Read more about the Elephant and Castle-based gang’s tactics and lifestyle via the BBC here.

Mild Spoiler warning: references to plot details in A Thousand Blows below.

The Morant Bay Rebellion Was an Infamous Part of Jamaican History

Hezekiah’s traumatic flashback memories to his childhood in Jamaica elliptically tell a version of a real, violent historical episode in colonial history. The 1865 Morant Bay Rebellion was an uprising by the people of Jamaica’s southeast coast against cruel privations by their British colonial oppressors. You can read more about its origins and impact at the national archives website here.

Li Hongzhang and Lo Feng Luh Were Real Chinese Diplomats

The Chinese dignitaries who are guests of the Earl of Lonsdale in A Thousand Blows are based on real diplomats who served as part of a legation to London in the aftermath of the 19^th century Opium Wars between Britain and China. You can see here an artist’s drawing of Lo Feng Luh (played by Chike Chan in the show), and here a contemporary newspaper report about the Chinese minister.

The 5^th Earl of Lonsdale Was a Real Boxing Enthusiast

Hugh Cecil Lowther was a real English peer and sportsman during the period around which A Thousand Blows is set. He’s the “Lonsdale” behind the famous British sports brand of the same name, and was a founding member of the National Sporting Club who was said to have donated the very first Lonsdale Boxing Belts for the boxing championship trophy.

Aerialist “Miss La La” Was Real

The acrobat that Mary and Hezekiah see performing at a West End music hall is based on a real Black Polish historical figure, also named “Miss La La”. She performed on a swing high above crowds and her feats were recorded by painter Edgar Degas in his 1879 work “Miss La La at the Cirque Fernando.” She was the subject of an exhibition at London’s National Gallery in 2024, which you can read more about here.

Queen Victoria Did Have a Black Goddaughter

The A Thousand Blows character Victoria Davies must be inspired by the real Nigerian-born woman known as Sara “Sally” Forbes Bonetta (originally called Aina, before she was renamed by the English captain to whom she was “discharged” by enslaved people trader King Ghezo of Dahomey), who became Queen Victoria’s goddaughter. The timeline doesn’t quite match up as the real Aina died young of tuberculosis and didn’t survive into 1880 period in which A Thousand Blows is set, but it’s very close. See portraits of her here, courtesy of the National Portrait Gallery.

The Blue Coat Boy Pub, its Boxing Ring, and its Landlord Were Real

The Blue Coat Boy Pub had an MC who owned a boxing saloon nicknamed William “Punch” Lewis, just like Daniel Mays’ character in the TV show. Read more about them all here, thanks to the research of Sarah Elizabeth Cox.

A Thousand Blows is streaming now on Disney+ in the UK and Hulu in the US.

The post A Thousand Blows True Story: The Real Characters Behind the Historical Drama appeared first on Den of Geek.

Warning: contains finale spoilers for The Leftovers. HBO’s The Leftovers opens on an ordinary street in Mapleton, New York, on an ordinary day in October, moments before an extraordinary global event – the “Sudden Departure” – changes the world forever. As 142 million souls – two percent of the world’s population – suddenly and inexplicably […]

The post The Leftovers Ending: Explaining the Final Scene appeared first on Den of Geek.

“The coldest blood runs through my veins, you know my name,” croons Chris Cornell at the start of Casino Royale, the film that rebooted the James Bond franchise with a new approach and a new face as 007. Yet, as many times as the guy playing James Bond changed, fans could count on one constant name: Broccoli.

But that’s about to change. Amazon Studios has announced a “joint venture” with Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, the current heads of Eon Productions, to “house the James Bond intellectual property rights.” Although the announcement makes clear that Broccoli and Wilson “will remain co-owners of the franchise,” it also indicates that “Amazon MGM Studios will gain creative control of the James Bond franchise following closing of the transaction.”

That’s a seismic change in the world of James Bond. Since 1961, Eon Productions has been the sole creative shepherd of live-action adaptations of Ian Fleming’s novels and characters. Founded by Albert R. “Cubby” Broccoli and Harry Saltzman, Eon has remained family-owned, even after Saltzman sold his shares in 1975 and Cubby died in 1996, after which his daughter Barbara Broccoli and his stepson Michael G. Wilson assumed control.

Eon and the Broccoli family have been the people most responsible for James Bond’s successes and failures. Outside of the occasional production that occurs outside of Eon’s aegis — the 1967 spoof version of Casino Royale, Never Say Never Again from 1983 — the family has been in charge of choosing the actors, directors, and creative direction of the project. It was the Broccolis who picked Scot Sean Connery and blond-haired Daniel Craig to portray the dark-haired English agent, but it was also the Broccolis who rushed Moonraker into theaters to cash in on Star Wars and refused to let Steven Spielberg make a Bond film.

Obviously, the family’s record is imperfect. But it’s the type of record that can only occur when unique voices are at work, a rare thing in our current state of boardroom-driven IP-mining. Thus far, the Broccolis have largely avoided farming out the James Bond for cheap cash ins. That is, if we forget about the weird cartoon series James Bond Jr. and the aborted attempts to make a show about Jinx Johnson, Halle Berry‘s American agent from Die Another Day. Still, compared to a media landscape that includes Pennyworth: The Origin of Batman’s Butler, such restraint is absolutely monk-like.

Will that change with Amazon in charge? A company best known for getting cheap iPhone chargers to your door may not be anyone’s best hope for creative integrity. However, the corporate giant has produced some pretty fantastic work, including the TV series The Boys and last year’s groundbreaking film Nickel Boys (produced by Orion Pictures, a subsidiary of MGM, which Amazon now owns). Amazon may want to continue the level of care exerted by Eon, if only to protect the brand.

Then again, just two months ago, the Wall Street Journal reported on tensions between Eon and Amazon. “These people are f____g idiots,” Barbara Broccoli was quoted as saying of Amazon executives, dismissing their suggestions by repeating a line she heard from her father: “Don’t have temporary people make permanent decisions.” The Wall Street Journal article described Eon as having primary control in the negotiations, which they wielded to prevent spinoffs and short-term ideas that the Broccolis found contrary to James Bond’s best interests.

Apparently, that’s changed. “With my 007 career spanning nearly 60 incredible years, I am stepping back from producing the James Bond films to focus on art and charitable projects,” Wilson says in his statement with Amazon. “Therefore, Barbara and I agree, it is time for our trusted partner, Amazon MGM Studios, to lead James Bond into the future.”

For her part, Broccoli looks backward in her statement, reflecting on Eon’s successes rather than her issues with Amazon. “My life has been dedicated to maintaining and building upon the extraordinary legacy that was handed to Michael and me by our father, producer Cubby Broccoli. I have had the honour of working closely with four of the tremendously talented actors who have played 007 and thousands of wonderful artists within the industry,” she stated.

What does the future of James Bond look like? It’s hard to say. But Bond has gone through several permutations before and still come out okay. If Bond can survive Auric Goldfinger, Xenia Onatopp, and Blofeld, then he can also survive Jeff Bezos.

Well, maybe. Just hours after announcing creative control of the franchise, Bezos has taken to social media to ask users to pick the next Bond.

To the surprise of probably no one, Henry Cavill seems to be the favorite, his popularity likely stirred by recently leaked footage of him reading for Bond during the casting of Casino Royale. Several users also call for Idris Elba, long-rumored to be in the running as the first non-white actor to take the part, while others want to see Daniel Craig back in the part. And, of course, many others point out that Bezos has more in common with a Bond villain than he does M. or anyone likely to hand out 00-status, and thus shouldn’t be in charge of such things.

It’s hard to disagree with that last opinion. After the exacting control that the Broccolis and Eon have had over the franchise, it’s shocking to see Amazon almost immediately throw it all away and let the people decide. That’s underscored by their choice of Cavill, a guy who Casino Royale director Martin Campbell wanted for the role, but was overruled by the Broccolis, who picked Craig. Craig’s unique but instantly iconic take on the character is exactly the sort of thing that comes only from someone with creative vision, not someone trying to score easy social media points or get subscribers to a delivery service.

The post James Bond Franchise Just Confirmed a Major Change for the Future of 007 Movies appeared first on Den of Geek.

Osgood Perkins is having fun these days. And you know what? He’s earned it. One of the more interesting horror directors to emerge in the last decade, Perkins finally had his mainstream breakthrough last year by writing and helming the surprise indie curio of the summer: Longlegs, an achingly bleak movie about the things the […]

The post The Monkey Review: Osgood Perkins Strikes Out With New Stephen King Movie appeared first on Den of Geek.

“The coldest blood runs through my veins, you know my name,” croons Chris Cornell at the start of Casino Royale, the film that rebooted the James Bond franchise with a new approach and a new face as 007. Yet, as many times as the guy playing James Bond changed, fans could count on one constant name: Broccoli.

But that’s about to change. Amazon Studios has announced a “joint venture” with Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, the current heads of Eon Productions, to “house the James Bond intellectual property rights.” Although the announcement makes clear that Broccoli and Wilson “will remain co-owners of the franchise,” it also indicates that “Amazon MGM Studios will gain creative control of the James Bond franchise following closing of the transaction.”

That’s a seismic change in the world of James Bond. Since 1961, Eon Productions has been the sole creative shepherd of live-action adaptations of Ian Fleming’s novels and characters. Founded by Albert R. “Cubby” Broccoli and Harry Saltzman, Eon has remained family-owned, even after Saltzman sold his shares in 1975 and Cubby died in 1996, after which his daughter Barbara Broccoli and his stepson Michael G. Wilson assumed control.

Eon and the Broccoli family have been the people most responsible for James Bond’s successes and failures. Outside of the occasional production that occurs outside of Eon’s aegis — the 1967 spoof version of Casino Royale, Never Say Never Again from 1983 — the family has been in charge of choosing the actors, directors, and creative direction of the project. It was the Broccolis who picked Scot Sean Connery and blond-haired Daniel Craig to portray the dark-haired English agent, but it was also the Broccolis who rushed Moonraker into theaters to cash in on Star Wars and refused to let Steven Spielberg make a Bond film.

Obviously, the family’s record is imperfect. But it’s the type of record that can only occur when unique voices are at work, a rare thing in our current state of boardroom-driven IP-mining. Thus far, the Broccolis have largely avoided farming out the James Bond for cheap cash ins. That is, if we forget about the weird cartoon series James Bond Jr. and the aborted attempts to make a show about Jinx Johnson, Halle Berry‘s American agent from Die Another Day. Still, compared to a media landscape that includes Pennyworth: The Origin of Batman’s Butler, such restraint is absolutely monk-like.

Will that change with Amazon in charge? A company best known for getting cheap iPhone chargers to your door may not be anyone’s best hope for creative integrity. However, the corporate giant has produced some pretty fantastic work, including the TV series The Boys and last year’s groundbreaking film Nickel Boys (produced by Orion Pictures, a subsidiary of MGM, which Amazon now owns). Amazon may want to continue the level of care exerted by Eon, if only to protect the brand.

Then again, just two months ago, the Wall Street Journal reported on tensions between Eon and Amazon. “These people are f____g idiots,” Barbara Broccoli was quoted as saying of Amazon executives, dismissing their suggestions by repeating a line she heard from her father: “Don’t have temporary people make permanent decisions.” The Wall Street Journal article described Eon as having primary control in the negotiations, which they wielded to prevent spinoffs and short-term ideas that the Broccolis found contrary to James Bond’s best interests.

Apparently, that’s changed. “With my 007 career spanning nearly 60 incredible years, I am stepping back from producing the James Bond films to focus on art and charitable projects,” Wilson says in his statement with Amazon. “Therefore, Barbara and I agree, it is time for our trusted partner, Amazon MGM Studios, to lead James Bond into the future.”

For her part, Broccoli looks backward in her statement, reflecting on Eon’s successes rather than her issues with Amazon. “My life has been dedicated to maintaining and building upon the extraordinary legacy that was handed to Michael and me by our father, producer Cubby Broccoli. I have had the honour of working closely with four of the tremendously talented actors who have played 007 and thousands of wonderful artists within the industry,” she stated.

What does the future of James Bond look like? It’s hard to say. But Bond has gone through several permutations before and still come out okay. If Bond can survive Auric Goldfinger, Xenia Onatopp, and Blofeld, then he can also survive Jeff Bezos.

Well, maybe. Just hours after announcing creative control of the franchise, Bezos has taken to social media to ask users to pick the next Bond.

To the surprise of probably no one, Henry Cavill seems to be the favorite, his popularity likely stirred by recently leaked footage of him reading for Bond during the casting of Casino Royale. Several users also call for Idris Elba, long-rumored to be in the running as the first non-white actor to take the part, while others want to see Daniel Craig back in the part. And, of course, many others point out that Bezos has more in common with a Bond villain than he does M. or anyone likely to hand out 00-status, and thus shouldn’t be in charge of such things.

It’s hard to disagree with that last opinion. After the exacting control that the Broccolis and Eon have had over the franchise, it’s shocking to see Amazon almost immediately throw it all away and let the people decide. That’s underscored by their choice of Cavill, a guy who Casino Royale director Martin Campbell wanted for the role, but was overruled by the Broccolis, who picked Craig. Craig’s unique but instantly iconic take on the character is exactly the sort of thing that comes only from someone with creative vision, not someone trying to score easy social media points or get subscribers to a delivery service.

The post James Bond Franchise Just Confirmed a Major Change for the Future of 007 Movies appeared first on Den of Geek.

This article contains spoilers for Jenny Sparks #7. “Touch me not, for I am not yet ascended to my father. But go to my brethren and say unto them, ‘I ascend unto my father, and your father, and to my God and to your God.” The devout among us might recognize that statement as the […]

The post DC Just Made This Authority Character the Most Powerful Hero in the Universe appeared first on Den of Geek.

“The coldest blood runs through my veins, you know my name,” croons Chris Cornell at the start of Casino Royale, the film that rebooted the James Bond franchise with a new approach and a new face as 007. Yet, as many times as the guy playing James Bond changed, fans could count on one constant name: Broccoli.

But that’s about to change. Amazon Studios has announced a “joint venture” with Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, the current heads of Eon Productions, to “house the James Bond intellectual property rights.” Although the announcement makes clear that Broccoli and Wilson “will remain co-owners of the franchise,” it also indicates that “Amazon MGM Studios will gain creative control of the James Bond franchise following closing of the transaction.”

That’s a seismic change in the world of James Bond. Since 1961, Eon Productions has been the sole creative shepherd of live-action adaptations of Ian Fleming’s novels and characters. Founded by Albert R. “Cubby” Broccoli and Harry Saltzman, Eon has remained family-owned, even after Saltzman sold his shares in 1975 and Cubby died in 1996, after which his daughter Barbara Broccoli and his stepson Michael G. Wilson assumed control.

Eon and the Broccoli family have been the people most responsible for James Bond’s successes and failures. Outside of the occasional production that occurs outside of Eon’s aegis — the 1967 spoof version of Casino Royale, Never Say Never Again from 1983 — the family has been in charge of choosing the actors, directors, and creative direction of the project. It was the Broccolis who picked Scot Sean Connery and blond-haired Daniel Craig to portray the dark-haired English agent, but it was also the Broccolis who rushed Moonraker into theaters to cash in on Star Wars and refused to let Steven Spielberg make a Bond film.

Obviously, the family’s record is imperfect. But it’s the type of record that can only occur when unique voices are at work, a rare thing in our current state of boardroom-driven IP-mining. Thus far, the Broccolis have largely avoided farming out the James Bond for cheap cash ins. That is, if we forget about the weird cartoon series James Bond Jr. and the aborted attempts to make a show about Jinx Johnson, Halle Berry‘s American agent from Die Another Day. Still, compared to a media landscape that includes Pennyworth: The Origin of Batman’s Butler, such restraint is absolutely monk-like.

Will that change with Amazon in charge? A company best known for getting cheap iPhone chargers to your door may not be anyone’s best hope for creative integrity. However, the corporate giant has produced some pretty fantastic work, including the TV series The Boys and last year’s groundbreaking film Nickel Boys (produced by Orion Pictures, a subsidiary of MGM, which Amazon now owns). Amazon may want to continue the level of care exerted by Eon, if only to protect the brand.

Then again, just two months ago, the Wall Street Journal reported on tensions between Eon and Amazon. “These people are f____g idiots,” Barbara Broccoli was quoted as saying of Amazon executives, dismissing their suggestions by repeating a line she heard from her father: “Don’t have temporary people make permanent decisions.” The Wall Street Journal article described Eon as having primary control in the negotiations, which they wielded to prevent spinoffs and short-term ideas that the Broccolis found contrary to James Bond’s best interests.

Apparently, that’s changed. “With my 007 career spanning nearly 60 incredible years, I am stepping back from producing the James Bond films to focus on art and charitable projects,” Wilson says in his statement with Amazon. “Therefore, Barbara and I agree, it is time for our trusted partner, Amazon MGM Studios, to lead James Bond into the future.”

For her part, Broccoli looks backward in her statement, reflecting on Eon’s successes rather than her issues with Amazon. “My life has been dedicated to maintaining and building upon the extraordinary legacy that was handed to Michael and me by our father, producer Cubby Broccoli. I have had the honour of working closely with four of the tremendously talented actors who have played 007 and thousands of wonderful artists within the industry,” she stated.

What does the future of James Bond look like? It’s hard to say. But Bond has gone through several permutations before and still come out okay. If Bond can survive Auric Goldfinger, Xenia Onatopp, and Blofeld, then he can also survive Jeff Bezos.

Well, maybe. Just hours after announcing creative control of the franchise, Bezos has taken to social media to ask users to pick the next Bond.

To the surprise of probably no one, Henry Cavill seems to be the favorite, his popularity likely stirred by recently leaked footage of him reading for Bond during the casting of Casino Royale. Several users also call for Idris Elba, long-rumored to be in the running as the first non-white actor to take the part, while others want to see Daniel Craig back in the part. And, of course, many others point out that Bezos has more in common with a Bond villain than he does M. or anyone likely to hand out 00-status, and thus shouldn’t be in charge of such things.

It’s hard to disagree with that last opinion. After the exacting control that the Broccolis and Eon have had over the franchise, it’s shocking to see Amazon almost immediately throw it all away and let the people decide. That’s underscored by their choice of Cavill, a guy who Casino Royale director Martin Campbell wanted for the role, but was overruled by the Broccolis, who picked Craig. Craig’s unique but instantly iconic take on the character is exactly the sort of thing that comes only from someone with creative vision, not someone trying to score easy social media points or get subscribers to a delivery service.

The post James Bond Franchise Just Confirmed a Major Change for the Future of 007 Movies appeared first on Den of Geek.

“The coldest blood runs through my veins, you know my name,” croons Chris Cornell at the start of Casino Royale, the film that rebooted the James Bond franchise with a new approach and a new face as 007. Yet, as many times as the guy playing James Bond changed, fans could count on one constant […]

The post James Bond Franchise Just Confirmed a Major Change for the Future of 007 Movies appeared first on Den of Geek.

“The coldest blood runs through my veins, you know my name,” croons Chris Cornell at the start of Casino Royale, the film that rebooted the James Bond franchise with a new approach and a new face as 007. Yet, as many times as the guy playing James Bond changed, fans could count on one constant name: Broccoli.

But that’s about to change. Amazon Studios has announced a “joint venture” with Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, the current heads of Eon Productions, to “house the James Bond intellectual property rights.” Although the announcement makes clear that Broccoli and Wilson “will remain co-owners of the franchise,” it also indicates that “Amazon MGM Studios will gain creative control of the James Bond franchise following closing of the transaction.”

That’s a seismic change in the world of James Bond. Since 1961, Eon Productions has been the sole creative shepherd of live-action adaptations of Ian Fleming’s novels and characters. Founded by Albert R. “Cubby” Broccoli and Harry Saltzman, Eon has remained family-owned, even after Saltzman sold his shares in 1975 and Cubby died in 1996, after which his daughter Barbara Broccoli and his stepson Michael G. Wilson assumed control.

Eon and the Broccoli family have been the people most responsible for James Bond’s successes and failures. Outside of the occasional production that occurs outside of Eon’s aegis — the 1967 spoof version of Casino Royale, Never Say Never Again from 1983 — the family has been in charge of choosing the actors, directors, and creative direction of the project. It was the Broccolis who picked Scot Sean Connery and blond-haired Daniel Craig to portray the dark-haired English agent, but it was also the Broccolis who rushed Moonraker into theaters to cash in on Star Wars and refused to let Steven Spielberg make a Bond film.

Obviously, the family’s record is imperfect. But it’s the type of record that can only occur when unique voices are at work, a rare thing in our current state of boardroom-driven IP-mining. Thus far, the Broccolis have largely avoided farming out the James Bond for cheap cash ins. That is, if we forget about the weird cartoon series James Bond Jr. and the aborted attempts to make a show about Jinx Johnson, Halle Berry‘s American agent from Die Another Day. Still, compared to a media landscape that includes Pennyworth: The Origin of Batman’s Butler, such restraint is absolutely monk-like.

Will that change with Amazon in charge? A company best known for getting cheap iPhone chargers to your door may not be anyone’s best hope for creative integrity. However, the corporate giant has produced some pretty fantastic work, including the TV series The Boys and last year’s groundbreaking film Nickel Boys (produced by Orion Pictures, a subsidiary of MGM, which Amazon now owns). Amazon may want to continue the level of care exerted by Eon, if only to protect the brand.

Then again, just two months ago, the Wall Street Journal reported on tensions between Eon and Amazon. “These people are f____g idiots,” Barbara Broccoli was quoted as saying of Amazon executives, dismissing their suggestions by repeating a line she heard from her father: “Don’t have temporary people make permanent decisions.” The Wall Street Journal article described Eon as having primary control in the negotiations, which they wielded to prevent spinoffs and short-term ideas that the Broccolis found contrary to James Bond’s best interests.

Apparently, that’s changed. “With my 007 career spanning nearly 60 incredible years, I am stepping back from producing the James Bond films to focus on art and charitable projects,” Wilson says in his statement with Amazon. “Therefore, Barbara and I agree, it is time for our trusted partner, Amazon MGM Studios, to lead James Bond into the future.”

For her part, Broccoli looks backward in her statement, reflecting on Eon’s successes rather than her issues with Amazon. “My life has been dedicated to maintaining and building upon the extraordinary legacy that was handed to Michael and me by our father, producer Cubby Broccoli. I have had the honour of working closely with four of the tremendously talented actors who have played 007 and thousands of wonderful artists within the industry,” she stated.

What does the future of James Bond look like? It’s hard to say. But Bond has gone through several permutations before and still come out okay. If Bond can survive Auric Goldfinger, Xenia Onatopp, and Blofeld, then he can also survive Jeff Bezos.

Well, maybe. Just hours after announcing creative control of the franchise, Bezos has taken to social media to ask users to pick the next Bond.

To the surprise of probably no one, Henry Cavill seems to be the favorite, his popularity likely stirred by recently leaked footage of him reading for Bond during the casting of Casino Royale. Several users also call for Idris Elba, long-rumored to be in the running as the first non-white actor to take the part, while others want to see Daniel Craig back in the part. And, of course, many others point out that Bezos has more in common with a Bond villain than he does M. or anyone likely to hand out 00-status, and thus shouldn’t be in charge of such things.

It’s hard to disagree with that last opinion. After the exacting control that the Broccolis and Eon have had over the franchise, it’s shocking to see Amazon almost immediately throw it all away and let the people decide. That’s underscored by their choice of Cavill, a guy who Casino Royale director Martin Campbell wanted for the role, but was overruled by the Broccolis, who picked Craig. Craig’s unique but instantly iconic take on the character is exactly the sort of thing that comes only from someone with creative vision, not someone trying to score easy social media points or get subscribers to a delivery service.

The post James Bond Franchise Just Confirmed a Major Change for the Future of 007 Movies appeared first on Den of Geek.

Water. Earth. Fire. Air. The Avatar Spirit in Nickelodeon‘s animated classic Avatar: The Last Airbender cycles through the four major elements in selecting the next human embodiment of light and peace. In the original series, it was the titular last Airbender Aang who faced the awesome responsibility of mastering nature. Then it was Waterbender Korra’s […]

The post New Avatar: The Last Airbender Series Will Take Place After The Legend of Korra appeared first on Den of Geek.

“The coldest blood runs through my veins, you know my name,” croons Chris Cornell at the start of Casino Royale, the film that rebooted the James Bond franchise with a new approach and a new face as 007. Yet, as many times as the guy playing James Bond changed, fans could count on one constant name: Broccoli.

But that’s about to change. Amazon Studios has announced a “joint venture” with Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, the current heads of Eon Productions, to “house the James Bond intellectual property rights.” Although the announcement makes clear that Broccoli and Wilson “will remain co-owners of the franchise,” it also indicates that “Amazon MGM Studios will gain creative control of the James Bond franchise following closing of the transaction.”

That’s a seismic change in the world of James Bond. Since 1961, Eon Productions has been the sole creative shepherd of live-action adaptations of Ian Fleming’s novels and characters. Founded by Albert R. “Cubby” Broccoli and Harry Saltzman, Eon has remained family-owned, even after Saltzman sold his shares in 1975 and Cubby died in 1996, after which his daughter Barbara Broccoli and his stepson Michael G. Wilson assumed control.

Eon and the Broccoli family have been the people most responsible for James Bond’s successes and failures. Outside of the occasional production that occurs outside of Eon’s aegis — the 1967 spoof version of Casino Royale, Never Say Never Again from 1983 — the family has been in charge of choosing the actors, directors, and creative direction of the project. It was the Broccolis who picked Scot Sean Connery and blond-haired Daniel Craig to portray the dark-haired English agent, but it was also the Broccolis who rushed Moonraker into theaters to cash in on Star Wars and refused to let Steven Spielberg make a Bond film.

Obviously, the family’s record is imperfect. But it’s the type of record that can only occur when unique voices are at work, a rare thing in our current state of boardroom-driven IP-mining. Thus far, the Broccolis have largely avoided farming out the James Bond for cheap cash ins. That is, if we forget about the weird cartoon series James Bond Jr. and the aborted attempts to make a show about Jinx Johnson, Halle Berry‘s American agent from Die Another Day. Still, compared to a media landscape that includes Pennyworth: The Origin of Batman’s Butler, such restraint is absolutely monk-like.

Will that change with Amazon in charge? A company best known for getting cheap iPhone chargers to your door may not be anyone’s best hope for creative integrity. However, the corporate giant has produced some pretty fantastic work, including the TV series The Boys and last year’s groundbreaking film Nickel Boys (produced by Orion Pictures, a subsidiary of MGM, which Amazon now owns). Amazon may want to continue the level of care exerted by Eon, if only to protect the brand.

Then again, just two months ago, the Wall Street Journal reported on tensions between Eon and Amazon. “These people are f____g idiots,” Barbara Broccoli was quoted as saying of Amazon executives, dismissing their suggestions by repeating a line she heard from her father: “Don’t have temporary people make permanent decisions.” The Wall Street Journal article described Eon as having primary control in the negotiations, which they wielded to prevent spinoffs and short-term ideas that the Broccolis found contrary to James Bond’s best interests.

Apparently, that’s changed. “With my 007 career spanning nearly 60 incredible years, I am stepping back from producing the James Bond films to focus on art and charitable projects,” Wilson says in his statement with Amazon. “Therefore, Barbara and I agree, it is time for our trusted partner, Amazon MGM Studios, to lead James Bond into the future.”

For her part, Broccoli looks backward in her statement, reflecting on Eon’s successes rather than her issues with Amazon. “My life has been dedicated to maintaining and building upon the extraordinary legacy that was handed to Michael and me by our father, producer Cubby Broccoli. I have had the honour of working closely with four of the tremendously talented actors who have played 007 and thousands of wonderful artists within the industry,” she stated.

What does the future of James Bond look like? It’s hard to say. But Bond has gone through several permutations before and still come out okay. If Bond can survive Auric Goldfinger, Xenia Onatopp, and Blofeld, then he can also survive Jeff Bezos.

Well, maybe. Just hours after announcing creative control of the franchise, Bezos has taken to social media to ask users to pick the next Bond.

To the surprise of probably no one, Henry Cavill seems to be the favorite, his popularity likely stirred by recently leaked footage of him reading for Bond during the casting of Casino Royale. Several users also call for Idris Elba, long-rumored to be in the running as the first non-white actor to take the part, while others want to see Daniel Craig back in the part. And, of course, many others point out that Bezos has more in common with a Bond villain than he does M. or anyone likely to hand out 00-status, and thus shouldn’t be in charge of such things.

It’s hard to disagree with that last opinion. After the exacting control that the Broccolis and Eon have had over the franchise, it’s shocking to see Amazon almost immediately throw it all away and let the people decide. That’s underscored by their choice of Cavill, a guy who Casino Royale director Martin Campbell wanted for the role, but was overruled by the Broccolis, who picked Craig. Craig’s unique but instantly iconic take on the character is exactly the sort of thing that comes only from someone with creative vision, not someone trying to score easy social media points or get subscribers to a delivery service.

The post James Bond Franchise Just Confirmed a Major Change for the Future of 007 Movies appeared first on Den of Geek.

This article contains major spoilers for Zero Day. In the six-episode series Zero Day, available on Netflix, a cyberattack forces former U.S. President George Mullen (Robert De Niro) out of retirement to seek the truth. For exactly one minute, all cell phones, laptops, and other systems shut down, plunging the country into a state of […]

The post Zero Day Ending Explained: Who’s Behind the Cyberattack in Netflix Robert De Niro Series? appeared first on Den of Geek.

“The coldest blood runs through my veins, you know my name,” croons Chris Cornell at the start of Casino Royale, the film that rebooted the James Bond franchise with a new approach and a new face as 007. Yet, as many times as the guy playing James Bond changed, fans could count on one constant name: Broccoli.

But that’s about to change. Amazon Studios has announced a “joint venture” with Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, the current heads of Eon Productions, to “house the James Bond intellectual property rights.” Although the announcement makes clear that Broccoli and Wilson “will remain co-owners of the franchise,” it also indicates that “Amazon MGM Studios will gain creative control of the James Bond franchise following closing of the transaction.”

That’s a seismic change in the world of James Bond. Since 1961, Eon Productions has been the sole creative shepherd of live-action adaptations of Ian Fleming’s novels and characters. Founded by Albert R. “Cubby” Broccoli and Harry Saltzman, Eon has remained family-owned, even after Saltzman sold his shares in 1975 and Cubby died in 1996, after which his daughter Barbara Broccoli and his stepson Michael G. Wilson assumed control.

Eon and the Broccoli family have been the people most responsible for James Bond’s successes and failures. Outside of the occasional production that occurs outside of Eon’s aegis — the 1967 spoof version of Casino Royale, Never Say Never Again from 1983 — the family has been in charge of choosing the actors, directors, and creative direction of the project. It was the Broccolis who picked Scot Sean Connery and blond-haired Daniel Craig to portray the dark-haired English agent, but it was also the Broccolis who rushed Moonraker into theaters to cash in on Star Wars and refused to let Steven Spielberg make a Bond film.

Obviously, the family’s record is imperfect. But it’s the type of record that can only occur when unique voices are at work, a rare thing in our current state of boardroom-driven IP-mining. Thus far, the Broccolis have largely avoided farming out the James Bond for cheap cash ins. That is, if we forget about the weird cartoon series James Bond Jr. and the aborted attempts to make a show about Jinx Johnson, Halle Berry‘s American agent from Die Another Day. Still, compared to a media landscape that includes Pennyworth: The Origin of Batman’s Butler, such restraint is absolutely monk-like.

Will that change with Amazon in charge? A company best known for getting cheap iPhone chargers to your door may not be anyone’s best hope for creative integrity. However, the corporate giant has produced some pretty fantastic work, including the TV series The Boys and last year’s groundbreaking film Nickel Boys (produced by Orion Pictures, a subsidiary of MGM, which Amazon now owns). Amazon may want to continue the level of care exerted by Eon, if only to protect the brand.

Then again, just two months ago, the Wall Street Journal reported on tensions between Eon and Amazon. “These people are f____g idiots,” Barbara Broccoli was quoted as saying of Amazon executives, dismissing their suggestions by repeating a line she heard from her father: “Don’t have temporary people make permanent decisions.” The Wall Street Journal article described Eon as having primary control in the negotiations, which they wielded to prevent spinoffs and short-term ideas that the Broccolis found contrary to James Bond’s best interests.

Apparently, that’s changed. “With my 007 career spanning nearly 60 incredible years, I am stepping back from producing the James Bond films to focus on art and charitable projects,” Wilson says in his statement with Amazon. “Therefore, Barbara and I agree, it is time for our trusted partner, Amazon MGM Studios, to lead James Bond into the future.”

For her part, Broccoli looks backward in her statement, reflecting on Eon’s successes rather than her issues with Amazon. “My life has been dedicated to maintaining and building upon the extraordinary legacy that was handed to Michael and me by our father, producer Cubby Broccoli. I have had the honour of working closely with four of the tremendously talented actors who have played 007 and thousands of wonderful artists within the industry,” she stated.

What does the future of James Bond look like? It’s hard to say. But Bond has gone through several permutations before and still come out okay. If Bond can survive Auric Goldfinger, Xenia Onatopp, and Blofeld, then he can also survive Jeff Bezos.

Well, maybe. Just hours after announcing creative control of the franchise, Bezos has taken to social media to ask users to pick the next Bond.

To the surprise of probably no one, Henry Cavill seems to be the favorite, his popularity likely stirred by recently leaked footage of him reading for Bond during the casting of Casino Royale. Several users also call for Idris Elba, long-rumored to be in the running as the first non-white actor to take the part, while others want to see Daniel Craig back in the part. And, of course, many others point out that Bezos has more in common with a Bond villain than he does M. or anyone likely to hand out 00-status, and thus shouldn’t be in charge of such things.

It’s hard to disagree with that last opinion. After the exacting control that the Broccolis and Eon have had over the franchise, it’s shocking to see Amazon almost immediately throw it all away and let the people decide. That’s underscored by their choice of Cavill, a guy who Casino Royale director Martin Campbell wanted for the role, but was overruled by the Broccolis, who picked Craig. Craig’s unique but instantly iconic take on the character is exactly the sort of thing that comes only from someone with creative vision, not someone trying to score easy social media points or get subscribers to a delivery service.

The post James Bond Franchise Just Confirmed a Major Change for the Future of 007 Movies appeared first on Den of Geek.

Finding the best weapons in Avowed is one of the greatest pleasures in Obsidian Entertainment’s new RPG. Exploring dungeons or venturing off the beaten path often leads to discovering powerful gear, but upgrading weapons is also essential to surviving the game’s toughest challenges. In the early game, combat can feel challenging until you acquire stronger […]

The post Best Avowed Weapons for the Early Game and Where to Find Them appeared first on Den of Geek.

“The coldest blood runs through my veins, you know my name,” croons Chris Cornell at the start of Casino Royale, the film that rebooted the James Bond franchise with a new approach and a new face as 007. Yet, as many times as the guy playing James Bond changed, fans could count on one constant name: Broccoli.

But that’s about to change. Amazon Studios has announced a “joint venture” with Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, the current heads of Eon Productions, to “house the James Bond intellectual property rights.” Although the announcement makes clear that Broccoli and Wilson “will remain co-owners of the franchise,” it also indicates that “Amazon MGM Studios will gain creative control of the James Bond franchise following closing of the transaction.”

That’s a seismic change in the world of James Bond. Since 1961, Eon Productions has been the sole creative shepherd of live-action adaptations of Ian Fleming’s novels and characters. Founded by Albert R. “Cubby” Broccoli and Harry Saltzman, Eon has remained family-owned, even after Saltzman sold his shares in 1975 and Cubby died in 1996, after which his daughter Barbara Broccoli and his stepson Michael G. Wilson assumed control.

Eon and the Broccoli family have been the people most responsible for James Bond’s successes and failures. Outside of the occasional production that occurs outside of Eon’s aegis — the 1967 spoof version of Casino Royale, Never Say Never Again from 1983 — the family has been in charge of choosing the actors, directors, and creative direction of the project. It was the Broccolis who picked Scot Sean Connery and blond-haired Daniel Craig to portray the dark-haired English agent, but it was also the Broccolis who rushed Moonraker into theaters to cash in on Star Wars and refused to let Steven Spielberg make a Bond film.

Obviously, the family’s record is imperfect. But it’s the type of record that can only occur when unique voices are at work, a rare thing in our current state of boardroom-driven IP-mining. Thus far, the Broccolis have largely avoided farming out the James Bond for cheap cash ins. That is, if we forget about the weird cartoon series James Bond Jr. and the aborted attempts to make a show about Jinx Johnson, Halle Berry‘s American agent from Die Another Day. Still, compared to a media landscape that includes Pennyworth: The Origin of Batman’s Butler, such restraint is absolutely monk-like.

Will that change with Amazon in charge? A company best known for getting cheap iPhone chargers to your door may not be anyone’s best hope for creative integrity. However, the corporate giant has produced some pretty fantastic work, including the TV series The Boys and last year’s groundbreaking film Nickel Boys (produced by Orion Pictures, a subsidiary of MGM, which Amazon now owns). Amazon may want to continue the level of care exerted by Eon, if only to protect the brand.

Then again, just two months ago, the Wall Street Journal reported on tensions between Eon and Amazon. “These people are f____g idiots,” Barbara Broccoli was quoted as saying of Amazon executives, dismissing their suggestions by repeating a line she heard from her father: “Don’t have temporary people make permanent decisions.” The Wall Street Journal article described Eon as having primary control in the negotiations, which they wielded to prevent spinoffs and short-term ideas that the Broccolis found contrary to James Bond’s best interests.

Apparently, that’s changed. “With my 007 career spanning nearly 60 incredible years, I am stepping back from producing the James Bond films to focus on art and charitable projects,” Wilson says in his statement with Amazon. “Therefore, Barbara and I agree, it is time for our trusted partner, Amazon MGM Studios, to lead James Bond into the future.”

For her part, Broccoli looks backward in her statement, reflecting on Eon’s successes rather than her issues with Amazon. “My life has been dedicated to maintaining and building upon the extraordinary legacy that was handed to Michael and me by our father, producer Cubby Broccoli. I have had the honour of working closely with four of the tremendously talented actors who have played 007 and thousands of wonderful artists within the industry,” she stated.

What does the future of James Bond look like? It’s hard to say. But Bond has gone through several permutations before and still come out okay. If Bond can survive Auric Goldfinger, Xenia Onatopp, and Blofeld, then he can also survive Jeff Bezos.

Well, maybe. Just hours after announcing creative control of the franchise, Bezos has taken to social media to ask users to pick the next Bond.

To the surprise of probably no one, Henry Cavill seems to be the favorite, his popularity likely stirred by recently leaked footage of him reading for Bond during the casting of Casino Royale. Several users also call for Idris Elba, long-rumored to be in the running as the first non-white actor to take the part, while others want to see Daniel Craig back in the part. And, of course, many others point out that Bezos has more in common with a Bond villain than he does M. or anyone likely to hand out 00-status, and thus shouldn’t be in charge of such things.

It’s hard to disagree with that last opinion. After the exacting control that the Broccolis and Eon have had over the franchise, it’s shocking to see Amazon almost immediately throw it all away and let the people decide. That’s underscored by their choice of Cavill, a guy who Casino Royale director Martin Campbell wanted for the role, but was overruled by the Broccolis, who picked Craig. Craig’s unique but instantly iconic take on the character is exactly the sort of thing that comes only from someone with creative vision, not someone trying to score easy social media points or get subscribers to a delivery service.

The post James Bond Franchise Just Confirmed a Major Change for the Future of 007 Movies appeared first on Den of Geek.

This article contains spoilers through season 3 episode 3 of Reacher and mild spoilers for Lee Child’s novel Persuader. Reacher has returned for a third season, taking the lone wolf hero on yet another thrilling adventure ripped from the pages of Lee Child’s novels. This time, the Prime Video series is adapting Persuader, a novel […]

The post Reacher Season 3 Just Teased One of Reacher’s Biggest Fights appeared first on Den of Geek.

“The coldest blood runs through my veins, you know my name,” croons Chris Cornell at the start of Casino Royale, the film that rebooted the James Bond franchise with a new approach and a new face as 007. Yet, as many times as the guy playing James Bond changed, fans could count on one constant name: Broccoli.

But that’s about to change. Amazon Studios has announced a “joint venture” with Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, the current heads of Eon Productions, to “house the James Bond intellectual property rights.” Although the announcement makes clear that Broccoli and Wilson “will remain co-owners of the franchise,” it also indicates that “Amazon MGM Studios will gain creative control of the James Bond franchise following closing of the transaction.”

That’s a seismic change in the world of James Bond. Since 1961, Eon Productions has been the sole creative shepherd of live-action adaptations of Ian Fleming’s novels and characters. Founded by Albert R. “Cubby” Broccoli and Harry Saltzman, Eon has remained family-owned, even after Saltzman sold his shares in 1975 and Cubby died in 1996, after which his daughter Barbara Broccoli and his stepson Michael G. Wilson assumed control.

Eon and the Broccoli family have been the people most responsible for James Bond’s successes and failures. Outside of the occasional production that occurs outside of Eon’s aegis — the 1967 spoof version of Casino Royale, Never Say Never Again from 1983 — the family has been in charge of choosing the actors, directors, and creative direction of the project. It was the Broccolis who picked Scot Sean Connery and blond-haired Daniel Craig to portray the dark-haired English agent, but it was also the Broccolis who rushed Moonraker into theaters to cash in on Star Wars and refused to let Steven Spielberg make a Bond film.

Obviously, the family’s record is imperfect. But it’s the type of record that can only occur when unique voices are at work, a rare thing in our current state of boardroom-driven IP-mining. Thus far, the Broccolis have largely avoided farming out the James Bond for cheap cash ins. That is, if we forget about the weird cartoon series James Bond Jr. and the aborted attempts to make a show about Jinx Johnson, Halle Berry‘s American agent from Die Another Day. Still, compared to a media landscape that includes Pennyworth: The Origin of Batman’s Butler, such restraint is absolutely monk-like.

Will that change with Amazon in charge? A company best known for getting cheap iPhone chargers to your door may not be anyone’s best hope for creative integrity. However, the corporate giant has produced some pretty fantastic work, including the TV series The Boys and last year’s groundbreaking film Nickel Boys (produced by Orion Pictures, a subsidiary of MGM, which Amazon now owns). Amazon may want to continue the level of care exerted by Eon, if only to protect the brand.

Then again, just two months ago, the Wall Street Journal reported on tensions between Eon and Amazon. “These people are f____g idiots,” Barbara Broccoli was quoted as saying of Amazon executives, dismissing their suggestions by repeating a line she heard from her father: “Don’t have temporary people make permanent decisions.” The Wall Street Journal article described Eon as having primary control in the negotiations, which they wielded to prevent spinoffs and short-term ideas that the Broccolis found contrary to James Bond’s best interests.

Apparently, that’s changed. “With my 007 career spanning nearly 60 incredible years, I am stepping back from producing the James Bond films to focus on art and charitable projects,” Wilson says in his statement with Amazon. “Therefore, Barbara and I agree, it is time for our trusted partner, Amazon MGM Studios, to lead James Bond into the future.”

For her part, Broccoli looks backward in her statement, reflecting on Eon’s successes rather than her issues with Amazon. “My life has been dedicated to maintaining and building upon the extraordinary legacy that was handed to Michael and me by our father, producer Cubby Broccoli. I have had the honour of working closely with four of the tremendously talented actors who have played 007 and thousands of wonderful artists within the industry,” she stated.

What does the future of James Bond look like? It’s hard to say. But Bond has gone through several permutations before and still come out okay. If Bond can survive Auric Goldfinger, Xenia Onatopp, and Blofeld, then he can also survive Jeff Bezos.

Well, maybe. Just hours after announcing creative control of the franchise, Bezos has taken to social media to ask users to pick the next Bond.

To the surprise of probably no one, Henry Cavill seems to be the favorite, his popularity likely stirred by recently leaked footage of him reading for Bond during the casting of Casino Royale. Several users also call for Idris Elba, long-rumored to be in the running as the first non-white actor to take the part, while others want to see Daniel Craig back in the part. And, of course, many others point out that Bezos has more in common with a Bond villain than he does M. or anyone likely to hand out 00-status, and thus shouldn’t be in charge of such things.

It’s hard to disagree with that last opinion. After the exacting control that the Broccolis and Eon have had over the franchise, it’s shocking to see Amazon almost immediately throw it all away and let the people decide. That’s underscored by their choice of Cavill, a guy who Casino Royale director Martin Campbell wanted for the role, but was overruled by the Broccolis, who picked Craig. Craig’s unique but instantly iconic take on the character is exactly the sort of thing that comes only from someone with creative vision, not someone trying to score easy social media points or get subscribers to a delivery service.

The post James Bond Franchise Just Confirmed a Major Change for the Future of 007 Movies appeared first on Den of Geek.

Captain America: Brave New World is outperforming box office expectations and excitement is ramping up for Daredevil: Born Again. But anyone hoping that would lead to another Marvel project explosion better temper their expectations. Deadline reports that Disney has paused pre-production on three series planned for release on Disney+: Nova, Strange Academy, and Terror, Inc.. […]

The post Marvel Just Decided the Fate of Nova in the MCU appeared first on Den of Geek.

“The coldest blood runs through my veins, you know my name,” croons Chris Cornell at the start of Casino Royale, the film that rebooted the James Bond franchise with a new approach and a new face as 007. Yet, as many times as the guy playing James Bond changed, fans could count on one constant name: Broccoli.

But that’s about to change. Amazon Studios has announced a “joint venture” with Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, the current heads of Eon Productions, to “house the James Bond intellectual property rights.” Although the announcement makes clear that Broccoli and Wilson “will remain co-owners of the franchise,” it also indicates that “Amazon MGM Studios will gain creative control of the James Bond franchise following closing of the transaction.”

That’s a seismic change in the world of James Bond. Since 1961, Eon Productions has been the sole creative shepherd of live-action adaptations of Ian Fleming’s novels and characters. Founded by Albert R. “Cubby” Broccoli and Harry Saltzman, Eon has remained family-owned, even after Saltzman sold his shares in 1975 and Cubby died in 1996, after which his daughter Barbara Broccoli and his stepson Michael G. Wilson assumed control.

Eon and the Broccoli family have been the people most responsible for James Bond’s successes and failures. Outside of the occasional production that occurs outside of Eon’s aegis — the 1967 spoof version of Casino Royale, Never Say Never Again from 1983 — the family has been in charge of choosing the actors, directors, and creative direction of the project. It was the Broccolis who picked Scot Sean Connery and blond-haired Daniel Craig to portray the dark-haired English agent, but it was also the Broccolis who rushed Moonraker into theaters to cash in on Star Wars and refused to let Steven Spielberg make a Bond film.

Obviously, the family’s record is imperfect. But it’s the type of record that can only occur when unique voices are at work, a rare thing in our current state of boardroom-driven IP-mining. Thus far, the Broccolis have largely avoided farming out the James Bond for cheap cash ins. That is, if we forget about the weird cartoon series James Bond Jr. and the aborted attempts to make a show about Jinx Johnson, Halle Berry‘s American agent from Die Another Day. Still, compared to a media landscape that includes Pennyworth: The Origin of Batman’s Butler, such restraint is absolutely monk-like.

Will that change with Amazon in charge? A company best known for getting cheap iPhone chargers to your door may not be anyone’s best hope for creative integrity. However, the corporate giant has produced some pretty fantastic work, including the TV series The Boys and last year’s groundbreaking film Nickel Boys (produced by Orion Pictures, a subsidiary of MGM, which Amazon now owns). Amazon may want to continue the level of care exerted by Eon, if only to protect the brand.

Then again, just two months ago, the Wall Street Journal reported on tensions between Eon and Amazon. “These people are f____g idiots,” Barbara Broccoli was quoted as saying of Amazon executives, dismissing their suggestions by repeating a line she heard from her father: “Don’t have temporary people make permanent decisions.” The Wall Street Journal article described Eon as having primary control in the negotiations, which they wielded to prevent spinoffs and short-term ideas that the Broccolis found contrary to James Bond’s best interests.

Apparently, that’s changed. “With my 007 career spanning nearly 60 incredible years, I am stepping back from producing the James Bond films to focus on art and charitable projects,” Wilson says in his statement with Amazon. “Therefore, Barbara and I agree, it is time for our trusted partner, Amazon MGM Studios, to lead James Bond into the future.”

For her part, Broccoli looks backward in her statement, reflecting on Eon’s successes rather than her issues with Amazon. “My life has been dedicated to maintaining and building upon the extraordinary legacy that was handed to Michael and me by our father, producer Cubby Broccoli. I have had the honour of working closely with four of the tremendously talented actors who have played 007 and thousands of wonderful artists within the industry,” she stated.

What does the future of James Bond look like? It’s hard to say. But Bond has gone through several permutations before and still come out okay. If Bond can survive Auric Goldfinger, Xenia Onatopp, and Blofeld, then he can also survive Jeff Bezos.

Well, maybe. Just hours after announcing creative control of the franchise, Bezos has taken to social media to ask users to pick the next Bond.

To the surprise of probably no one, Henry Cavill seems to be the favorite, his popularity likely stirred by recently leaked footage of him reading for Bond during the casting of Casino Royale. Several users also call for Idris Elba, long-rumored to be in the running as the first non-white actor to take the part, while others want to see Daniel Craig back in the part. And, of course, many others point out that Bezos has more in common with a Bond villain than he does M. or anyone likely to hand out 00-status, and thus shouldn’t be in charge of such things.

It’s hard to disagree with that last opinion. After the exacting control that the Broccolis and Eon have had over the franchise, it’s shocking to see Amazon almost immediately throw it all away and let the people decide. That’s underscored by their choice of Cavill, a guy who Casino Royale director Martin Campbell wanted for the role, but was overruled by the Broccolis, who picked Craig. Craig’s unique but instantly iconic take on the character is exactly the sort of thing that comes only from someone with creative vision, not someone trying to score easy social media points or get subscribers to a delivery service.

The post James Bond Franchise Just Confirmed a Major Change for the Future of 007 Movies appeared first on Den of Geek.