MAN WITH THE GOLDEN SUM Amazon fast track next James Bond film as they shell out HUGE budget after buying iconic franchise for nearly $1bn
JAMES Bond bosses have been given a whopping £250million budget to get the next 007 movie on screen within the next three years after Amazon’s takeover.
I can reveal work has kicked into action in recent weeks.
Amazon honchos — who are now in charge of the franchise — have ringfenced £30million more than 2021’s No Time To Die with Daniel Craig.
They are fast-tracking work in the hope it will be in cinemas before the end of 2027.
My movie insider said: “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.”
Last month Bond fans were left stunned after Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, the producers who have been the brains behind the films for years, signed over creative control to Amazon.
It was met with a mixed reaction from fans, many of whom are worried that the brand will now be watered down or “made woke”.
I’m told the sale has prompted a fast track of creative meetings to build a new script, officially sign the new 007 and land a director.
My source added: “Amazon wanted Bond for a number of reasons and one of them was to earn revenue.
“The recent film takings, with cinematic releases, on demand sales and deals, have earned them well over a billion dollars.
“Sure, the intellectual property is amazing to have to build TV shows and merchandise and commercial partnerships, but they know fans want and expect a movie.
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“They want filming to be done on Bond 26 by the end of next year so that it can be out in 2027.
“The wheels are in motion.
“The budget of £250million has been allocated and the desire is for them to start earning back the revenue of their investment.”
Even if the film makes the deadline, it will still be on a par with the biggest wait for a 007 film in the franchise’s history.
The current biggest gap is six years, between 1989’s Licence To Kill with Timothy Dalton and 1995’s GoldenEye starring Pierce Brosnan.
My insider said: “Amazon is a business and Bond is a heavyweight movie theatre earner.
“No one is turning their back on that.”
I have to admit, I was not exactly jumping for joy after hearing our British icon had been sold off to the highest bidder.
But it sounds like Bond is on track to become bigger and better than ever.
Jeff Bezos, if you’re reading this, please take care of our operative.
